Getting back into recording. Advice needed.

[Kapo_Polenton]

Lot of great suggestions above. All good. I would suggest if you must have quiet while mixing/recording, then invest in a great set of open-back headphones and maybe calibration software like Sonarworks

https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference

It runs on your pc/Mac and creates a good listening environment.
Otherwise, I’d recommend sound treatment over any certain gear. The best, most expensive gear will not overcome bad acoustics.

Great point. I treated my last space and it made a HUGE difference. Even the way my amps sounded in the room. I didn't treat for sound but acoustic reflections. Panels are easy enough to make yourself but you really want to control both the bass and those reflections. The panels totally deadened the space it was crazy. Once you have them up, you realize just how many reflections there really are in a room.

open back headphones are a great option too. IK multi media i-loud speakers are an interesting option too. I had bought some but have not really been able to test the difference they can make as I don't have a treated room anymore. They are supposed to be ideal for mixing in diff environments and helping to account for no treatment (somewhat, not sure how really though)

 

[Devin]

I recommend the newest Cakewalk - it's totally free and works great.

Of course I've been a paying Sonar customer for years so Cakewalk/Sonar is what I'm most comfortable using

 

[TheToneDig]

So I'm getting back into home recording. Just got a Focusrite Scarlett with Pro Tools First.
Looking for recommendations on drum software and how to record guitar direct.
I used to use a drum machine but they're a pita and sound terrible. I plan on recording as much live guitar as I can but there's going to be times I need to be quiet so direct recording will be needed.

I like Cubase but honestly, people have it right with Reaper for the price and what you get.

The Focusrite is a good choice. Loads of people use them so you have lots of support from the general community.

If I was you I would look into Line6 Native software. If you buy a Stomp you use to get a discount on it. It's top modeling software. If that's too expensive then Bias FX2 is good but the key to all those is the right profile + IR combination, but perfect for silent recording.

Once you figure out what head you like most you can get the real deal and use an attenuator for low volume/silent recording.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I recommend the newest Cakewalk - it's totally free and works great.

Of course I've been a paying Sonar customer for years so Cakewalk/Sonar is what I'm most comfortable using

That new Cakewalk looks sleek. Nice layout. I am currently also looking at trying something different to interface with my console as Mixbus sort of does analog saturation built in which I no longer will want to use given that I am going to be going through an analog board. Cakewalk might fit the bill for a no frills interface that has all the functionality.

Monitoring.. that's a huge one. Can you monitor live with effects and little to no latency? Mixbus didn't do that well. Reaper I recall was pretty solid. Depending how you plan to record this could be huge for you.

 

[Devin]

Monitoring.. that's a huge one. Can you monitor live with effects and little to no latency? Mixbus didn't do that well. Reaper I recall was pretty solid. Depending how you plan to record this could be huge for you.

I think a lot of this depends on the particular interface you're using (and whether or not it supports live monitoring) - for example I have 3 different ones (Audient, Tascam, and Maschine) - the live monitoring/input echo works great on the Audient and Tascam with little to no real latency but there is noticeable latency when using the Maschine as my interface

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I think a lot of this depends on the particular interface you're using (and whether or not it supports live monitoring) - for example I have 3 different ones (Audient, Tascam, and Maschine) - the live monitoring/input echo works great on the Audient and Tascam with little to no real latency but there is noticeable latency when using the Maschine as my interface

True. I am running an Audient ID-14 and it is good but with Mixbus, was ever so slightly off and annoyed me. I think though it is because there is some extra processing going on to those tracks in Mixbus. A filter being applied to give it that "sound". Also, my computer specs could be a little lower. Either way, good to look at what you are running system wise and the demands of the DAW you will run on it. Tascam should reissue a 16 channel tape cassette recorder with DA converters...simplify all of this.