Home recording setup

[milkchickenbomb]

Used to do a bunch of recording in the 90s, using a Tascam 424 and a Tascam digital 8-track. Totally obsolete, obviously. I want to get into recording again, but have no clue about the current technology using *gasp* an actual computer. I want to record guitar, bass and vocals, and use CPU-generated drum tracks. Again, I have no clue about the new tech, so forgive my ignorance and don't be afraid to talk to me like I'm 5.

From what I've gathered thus far, looks like I need a DAW. Threads here indicate that Reaper is the way to go. What other devices do I need? An ADC? Drum "machine?" I have a computer, but it's a pretty shitty Dell Inspiron running windows 7.

I only have an amp and a load box with a line out (JCA jettenuator). I no longer have mics or a drum machine. Really regret selling my trusty old SM57. Obviously I'll need a mic for vocals at least.

What would you all recommend for a solid setup? Not looking to break the bank, but I'm not on a super tight budget, either.

 

[ob1clyde]

Quick and easy..Laptop,Toontrack for drums and the Avid Elevenrack bundle. Maybe none are the best but they should setup pretty easy and get things going. youll have a single input for everything, but you can do it all from the 11rack and it comes with preset for guitar,bass and maybe even Vox..

 

[rokket2005]

I'd say getting a decent new computer would be the best first move, after that a small interface like a focusrite solo would be about the cheapest I would go on interface. If you want to record your amps a 57 is a solid bet, but if you want to use software there are tons of free vst plugs for guitar and bass. For vocals/acoustic instruments/aux percussion type things I'd recommend a blue bluebird. It is vastly better than some of the cheaper mxl mics and you can find them used all day for like $115. After that headphones would be a more economical starting point than monitors right away, so the Sony MDR-7506's or Audio Technica M40X's get my vote as balanced, comfortable, and good sounding headphones.

 

[GregM]

I'll second the Focusrite recommendation. A Focusrite Scarlett solo if you just need a single channel in/out and a 57; there are tons of options for a DAW but the Focusrite interfaces come with a free license for Ableton Live Lite and two free plug in suites with a compressor, EQ, reverb, etc. If you have a computer that will run a daw you can be up and running for under $200.

 

[romanianreaper]

I'm in an online "band" with a buddy of mine and have done a few recordings.

I got Reaper for $50 with constant updates and use EzDrummer 2 which I got for about $150? I use a Fractal Axe-Fx II and run it right into my computer via USB. You can get a much cheaper solution for that if you want to go lower price.

Just FYI, I was a Tascam tape record guy for years so understand where you are coming from. Trust me, just jump in there and have fun!

 

[Mattfig]

Roland VS-2480 - Old fucking school!!!!!

https://soundcloud.com/mattfig/gorgeous ... pointments

https://soundcloud.com/mattfig/bigger-me-by-matt-fig

 

[errrrrl]

I went thru the same thing about a year ago... went from using an old Tascam 4 track PortaOne in the late 80's to Reaper, so much easier nowadays for sure, and not having to rewind your tape or having to push play and record at the same time lol.

Like others have mentioned get a decent interface (I went with a Roland quadcapture mainly cause I needed the midi to connect my vdrums). For me I live in an apartment and not able to get nuts with noise so I chose to go more of a silent recording setup.

Headphones: I originally bought Sony 7506's which I thought would be good enough but in the long run those things were super difficult to mix with.. just way too much highs, ended up forking up a bit more $$$ for Sennheiser Hd700's which are super flat and pretty decent for mixing.

Eventually I picked up some cheap Mackie monitors from Amazon which were ok (far from the best) for times when headphones start to drive you nuts. Later learned about IR's/ impulse response, picked up a Suhr reactive load and have been constantly trying to achieve a better tone than the last recording I use Addictive Drums 2 with my Roland vdrums cause the stock Roland samples sound super dated.

If I had a choice and I could make more noise at home I would opt for mic'ing a cab personally. IR's are great for silent recording but I mainly try to record thrashy type of stuff and amps lose some key characteristics when recorded through load boxes/IR in my opinion (at least for really high gain type of stuff). Also amp/pedal noise is more exaggerated especially pedals when recording direct. Just my 2 cents, best of luck!

 

[stratjacket]

I'd recommend starting off with a beefy computer or mac, whichever you have any experience with that you can use the easiest. Then build around that. I wouldn't go out and purchase a ton of things at once. Just build over time. Kind of like starting out with guitar and amps, you probably gathered more expensive things and add-on things over time once you knew what you liked and what you needed.
So the basics:
- an interface for capturing sound into the computer and also playing sound through the monitors/speakers. There are a ton of very good cheap interfaces out there that work really well. USB connection is easy and works fine. Models from Presonus, Focusrite, even Beringer, etc...
- monitors for listening. Check craigslist and just pick up what you can find. Start with that. Over time, get some good ones. Some advice you always get here is "get the best you can afford" as they are that important. But starting out, it doesn't matter too much, just get a pair of Maudio or whatever and start with that.
- a DAW. Pro Tools and a ton of others are good. They are actually all very good these days and will do the job. They have subscriptions so you can try it for a month and see if you like it.

that is all you need: computer, daw, monitors and an interface. Everything else (plugins, samples, virtual instruments, outboard gear, etc...) can be added over time.
You do not need a drum machine, look at Toontrack (and others) to download software, it's called a virtual instrument and there are a million out there. Toontrack is pretty good and easy to use. You can buy packs of midi files ($29 I think) played by real drummers so there is no programming or anything.

Hope that helps.

 

[milkchickenbomb]

Thank you all for the informative recommendations.

So, first off: cpu. Needed to get one anyway. I'm guessing RAM is more important than processor speed for this application?

I'd prefer to mic a cab, but it would strain my living situation. Guess I won't be needing another SM57, and I can use the Jettenuator to DI into the interface. But a mic for vocals will be necessary...I'll look into the Blue Bluebird. Reviews look good. Other recommendations? FWIW, I'm a bass singer.

Was pretty much sold on the Reaper, but since some of these interfaces come with a demo of ProTools, I may give ProTools a shot first.

Toontrack EZDrummer looks like a must.

...and finally headphones or monitors. I think I'll get nice monitors sometime in the future, but will stick with headphones for now. Sennheiser HD700 gives me a bit of sticker shock. Any more affordable options, or is it something I'd just need to bite the bullet on? I hate buying things twice.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[SpiderWars]

FWIW, I found a used Lenova Thinkpad (for dedicated recording) that had been rebuilt by a dude that refurbishes them. He had a CL ad for computer repair/used computers and worked on Thinkpads for years when younger. He's also a musician and told me he'd be glad to help with any issues I had. Might be someone local that does similar.

 

[errrrrl]

Sennheiser HD700 gives me a bit of sticker shock. Any more affordable options, or is it something I'd just need to bite the bullet on? I hate buying things twice.

I did a lot of research before I bought my headphones and one thing I was worried about was size. I'm a big guy and read LOTS of reviews on headphones and took notes on ones that people said were tight or gave headaches if worn too long etc. Also I wanted the most flattest sounding/reference as I could afford so I ended up with the HD700s and am pretty happy cause I could wear them all day long and what I mix usually comes out pretty balanced. Also another thing they say is to get open back headphones for mixing/mastering since they give a more flat sound vs closed backs trapping the bass in... the con would be that quite a bit of sound can bleed out the sides and that kind of stuff irritates/worries my wife since I crank'em up a bit.

The AKG's 701's was my 2nd choice (a year ago) if I didn't like the Sennheisers and were quite a bit cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/AKG-K701-Referen ... op?ie=UTF8

Also if you haven't seen this article it might help narrowing your search, good luck!

http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/best-re ... eadphones/

 

[sixstringking713]

i've had good luck with cubase and focusrite products

 

[stratjacket]

I can 2nd the AKG 701's. I bought a set a year ago and after a burn in period, they sound great. I really enjoy them plugged into my Axe-Fx2 also. I will say that just plugging them straight into the computers interface (in my case, an Apogee Duet), they sounded a little thin and needed to really crank the Duet volume to push them. I bought a little JDS 02 headphone amp and it made everything way better.

 

[Monkey Man]

You could even forego buying monitors and use the Waves nx plugin instead. It's designed to emulate studio-grade speakers in a pro environment over headphones, allowing you to make level and panning decisions confidently where you'd otherwise not be able to.

The plugin is, like, $50 or even less on special.

Roland VS-2480 - Old fucking school!!!!!

Nothin' wrong with those units, Matty.

Anything that's simpler than a full-blown modern-computer setup gets a thumbs-up from me. I should know; I'm trying to wrestle the latter to the ground... and am losing in many ways.

 

[errrrrl]

You could even forego buying monitors and use the Waves nx plugin instead. It's designed to emulate studio-grade speakers in a pro environment over headphones, allowing you to make level and panning decisions confidently where you'd otherwise not be able to.

The plugin is, like, $50 or even less on special.

Roland VS-2480 - Old fucking school!!!!!

Nothin' wrong with those units, Matty.

Anything that's simpler than a full-blown modern-computer setup gets a thumbs-up from me. I should know; I'm trying to wrestle the latter to the ground... and am losing in many ways.

That Waves NX plugin was like 50% off for the next 6 hours... I read reviews and bought it for $50.. also picked up the NS1 plugin... Thanks for the tip! I'm a sucker for these flash sales

 

[Monkey Man]

IMHO, nx is worth its weight in gold.

Haven't actually used it yet, but conceptually and based on reviews, I'm sure I (and you!) will be more than happy with it. I've got monitors, but they chew extra juice and make a noise, so I can see myself using the plugin an awful lot of the time.

Well done, mate!

 

[errrrrl]

IMHO, nx is worth its weight in gold.

Haven't actually used it yet, but conceptually and based on reviews, I'm sure I (and you!) will be more than happy with it. I've got monitors, but they chew extra juice and make a noise, so I can see myself using the plugin an awful lot of the time.

Well done, mate!

I read some people were using NX with the Sonarworks headphone calibration plugin which I already have with great results... So we'll see... Now all I need to do is find something for my wife and kids to do so I can mess with all this stuff

 

[Monkey Man]

Yeah, I heard that too, but IMHO if your 'phones are reasonably-flat like mine (Sennie HD25-1), you should end up with a pretty-fine approximation.

I mean, all the BS and expense of treating your room, which would never result in a super-pro-sounding space anyway, at least one that's not flat response-wise, is out the window with this thing. So, IMHO, worrying about the minutia of exact accuracy that pales into insignificance when compared to the typical home-studio acoustics and monitors chosen, is a waste of time.

IMHO, it's analogous and very-similar to sweating over the exact responses of various sets of convertors in a choice of interfaces, when the mic and / or preamp you're using colours the bejeezus out of the signal. It's a matter of proportion, and this is how I see the efficacy of fine-tuning one's headphones... if they're already pretty-damned flat.

In cases where they're far from flat, again, IMHO, one would be way better off upgrading to something decent in preference to compensating, EQ-wise, for its shortfalls. Exactly the same thing with speakers IMHO.

At any rate, even without calibrating your 'phones, I'm betting you'll feel like you've magically transported yourself to a proper mixing room many levels higher than what you had. I know I will!

 

[errrrrl]

Yeah, I heard that too, but IMHO if your 'phones are reasonably-flat like mine (Sennie HD25-1), you should end up with a pretty-fine approximation.

I mean, all the BS and expense of treating your room, which would never result in a super-pro-sounding space anyway, at least one that's not flat response-wise, is out the window with this thing. So, IMHO, worrying about the minutia of exact accuracy that pales into insignificance when compared to the typical home-studio acoustics and monitors chosen, is a waste of time.

IMHO, it's analogous and very-similar to sweating over the exact responses of various sets of convertors in a choice of interfaces, when the mic and / or preamp you're using colours the bejeezus out of the signal. It's a matter of proportion, and this is how I see the efficacy of fine-tuning one's headphones... if they're already pretty-damned flat.

In cases where they're far from flat, again, IMHO, one would be way better off upgrading to something decent in preference to compensating, EQ-wise, for its shortfalls. Exactly the same thing with speakers IMHO.

At any rate, even without calibrating your 'phones, I'm betting you'll feel like you've magically transported yourself to a proper mixing room many levels higher than what you had. I know I will!

Yeah im pretty happy with my HD700's, pretty flat overall I would say.. I got the Sonarworks plugin when I was using Sony 7506.. those things were so far from flat but with the sonarworks plugin it was much better... BTW are you using a headphone amp with your HD25-1? I'm thinking of maybe picking up one up.

 

[Monkey Man]

Nah, just the 'phone amp in the Mackie Onyx 1620, which I use for monitoring. Seems pretty-reasonable. Even the 'phone amp in the ol' CR-series mixers back in the '90s was excellent. I actually used a splitting cable from the jack to feed both my 'phones and a portable DAT machine for printing mixes back then. Mackie made a big deal about the "fact" that the h'phone out was of "equal quality" to the mains.

I do have a BarfRinger multi headphone amp for visitors and so on, but geez, that thing's brittle and harsh compared to the Mackie Onyx one.

I'd suggest that if you have a small-format A&H or Mackie for monitoring that you're not gonna gain a whole lot by buying a dedicated amp. OTOH, if you're using an interface's one, well, they can be all over the shop, those things.