Suggestions to complete home recording setup

[SpiderWars]

Going to pick up a CL deal this afternoon. I'm just starting out so it's not high-end stuff. Seemed like a good deal to get the bulk of what I need. Here's what I'm getting, all practically unused.

1ea MOTU 8PRE 16x12Firewire Audio Interface (don't need 8 now but...nice to have I guess)
Matched pair Rode NT5 Condenser mics
2ea Shure SM57 mics
3ea Samson R21 mics (lol, these are like $50 for 3pack but allegedly not the worst mics in the world)
2ea Wharfdale DP8.2A Studio Monitors with Auralex Iso Pads and cables
1 pair Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones
1ea Kick drum/boom mic stand
2ea Shure XLR cables (10' and 20')

I have a computer, some cheap mics (2x SM57, SM58, Audix D2, Audix D3, some Audio Technica cheap mic), several XLR cables (I even still have a 100' 16/4 Whirlwind snake) and several mic stands.

What would be easily compatible, reasonably priced items needed to complete this? This is initially just for me to record guitar, maybe bass, parts and use a software drummer like EZ Drummer. Write songs, post them, get laughed at, etc.

 

[slyym]

Some decent recording software if you don't already have it.

 

[fusedbrain]

Some decent recording software if you don't already have it.

This, and a decent computer that you can dedicate to your musical pursuits. Audio production software requires some dedicated processing horsepower to run glitch free, and trying to record and mix on the computer your wife and/or kids are using to surf the web and download all kinds of crap on can be frustrating experience.
Only other thing I can see at the moment is, if you have volume constraints when you are trying to record, you might want to look into something like a Torpedo re-load and using cab IR's. If you can crank your amps, then you look to be good to go.

Looking forward to some clips

 

[SpiderWars]

Thanks, I was afraid of that. I'm the only user of my computer but it's old-ish and at the point where it's nickel and diming me. HD died last year, WiFi died early this week.

Any suggestions for requirements of said Musical Pursuit Computer? I know there was a thread about this semi-recently, will go read.

 

[fusedbrain]

Decide what audio production software you want to use ( Pro Tools, Ableton etc..) and then use the "system requirements" info for the software, and for your MOTU audio interface, to guide your computer purchase. All the software and hardware vendors have this info on their sites, and there is tons of info out on the web about this.
Nice thing is these days computer horsepower is cheap. 15 years ago you paid LARGE for a computer powerful enough to run audio.

 

[polaris20]

Decide what audio production software you want to use ( Pro Tools, Ableton etc..) and then use the "system requirements" info for the software, and for your MOTU audio interface, to guide your computer purchase. All the software and hardware vendors have this info on their sites, and there is tons of info out on the web about this.
Nice thing is these days computer horsepower is cheap. 15 years ago you paid LARGE for a computer powerful enough to run audio.

This. Also, if you're going Windows, buy one that doesn't have all the typical bloatware shit on it. Microsoft themselves even sell "Microsoft Experience" machines that are quite bare.

https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/ms ... ices_Pctab

 

[paulyc]

GC sells a package deal with Pro Tools, an Apple Mac Mini and some mics and a cheap interface for like 899 from time to time if you decide to go Mac...

 

[dirtyfunkg]

Since you've got a Firewire interface, you're going to need something that either has Thunderbolt or a PCIE slot available to you.

I just picked up a new 2015 Macbook Pro for $1699. 15", 2.2gHz i7 quad core, 16mb RAM, 256gb SSD. That would be overkill, but there are definitely outgoing 2015 Macbook Pro deals out there if you're interested in that. The plus about Mac is that Logic Pro is only $200 and can hang with any of the other DAW's. In some cases, it can be even better. You could also coast with GarageBand, which is pretty damn powerful.

Otherwise, it may end up being cheaper for you to get a cheaper PC and USB interface.

 

[JerEvil]

Since you've got a Firewire interface, you're going to need something that either has Thunderbolt or a PCIE slot available to you.

I just picked up a new 2015 Macbook Pro for $1699. 15", 2.2gHz i7 quad core, 16mb RAM, 256gb SSD. That would be overkill, but there are definitely outgoing 2015 Macbook Pro deals out there if you're interested in that. The plus about Mac is that Logic Pro is only $200 and can hang with any of the other DAW's. In some cases, it can be even better. You could also coast with GarageBand, which is pretty damn powerful.

Otherwise, it may end up being cheaper for you to get a cheaper PC and USB interface.

Yeah I am in the market for a newer Mac. I have a mid-2010 27" iMac that I am using. It works perfectly well but I would like to get a Thunderbolt interface. Looking at a Mac Mini w/16gb of RAM and using a spare 47" TV for a monitor wall mounted. +1,000,000 for Logic Pro X. LOVE it and super easy to get into.

 

[SpiderWars]

Found a CL ad for computer repair and refurbished computers. He's got a 15" refurb that has Firewire port with 8GB RAM, i5 Core, and 1TB HD for $375. Windows installed but basically stripped of extra software. Seems perfect.