Ok Mr Collectives - Help me out [Recording]

I play a lot ... but I've never recorded a thing. I never use to have the equipment but now I have the means.

Just a good basic setup. (Cheap, but not like tin can/string cheap)

How the frick do I get started? I have a high end computer so I'm guessin I need some form of mic and recording software?

Could you give me a reach around and help me out with what's good to start with I can start laying some stuff down easily so I can join you guys?

Ahh sweet, another addition to the collective. First check out m-audio stuff. I have a delta 1010lt. Then look at software. I use cubase, but it is expensive.

Ahh sweet, another addition to the collective. First check out m-audio stuff. I have a delta 1010lt. Then look at software. I use cubase, but it is expensive.

Any music thread I have seen in the GD I have been pluggin the collective to get more traffic here hehehe.


Mooley I would start with the software and I would get familiar with either pro tools or cubase or both... before its all said and done you will prolly be using both.

I would HIGHLY recommend an audio interface as it kills the latency to almost nothing Minstrel uses a 1010 I use a MBOX2... I use the MBox2 because it is USB and it can be used on my laptop and my desktop... recently I had a CPU prob and I used it on my sons laptop... it was a lifesaver.

My MBox2 came with Pro Tools and A pro tools DVD tutorial.

Like the dudes said before me, ProTools and Cubase are probably the most popular sequencers. Ableton is also getting increasingly popular. As for an interface, check out the Line 6 TonePort (http://line6.com/toneport/), it's cheap and will do the job. The UX2 looks perfect for someone who doesn't need tons of i/o. ProTools is the industry standard, so if you wanna go that route you can either buy M-Audio "M-Powered" interfaces that will work with ProTools, or get something like the MBox as Alvarez suggested. It really depends on your budget and what i/o will fit your studio the best.

The Line6 stuff is okay but it's really laggy. If your computer has Firewire (and it most likely does), get a Presonus Firebox. It has two mic inputs and two line inputs, you can plug guitars/basses into it, and it includes a full version of Cubase LE, which is more than enough to get started with.

I bought one for my upstairs studio room and it sounds fantastic. It replaced the sound card in my computer completely (a Soundblaster). They work really well and sound great, and you can get them new off Ebay for like $150.

ToneDirect™
With Line 6's exclusive ToneDirect™ monitoring, you get fully processed audio in real time while you track. ToneDirect monitoring virtually eliminates the annoying latency caused by recording programs and slower operating systems.

ToneDirect beats analog direct monitoring options that force you to record guitar without hearing amp models and effects or make you listen to vocals without reverb! Hear the instrument the way you intend them to sound on the recording, while you record!
The Firebox is a good little unit if you can get it for the right price. Keep in mind the TonePort comes with the GearBox software and Ableton Live Lite, so you get a lot for the price. It's also USB bus powered (good for portability/laptops).

The Line6 stuff is okay but it's really laggy. If your computer has Firewire (and it most likely does), get a Presonus Firebox. It has two mic inputs and two line inputs, you can plug guitars/basses into it, and it includes a full version of Cubase LE, which is more than enough to get started with.

I bought one for my upstairs studio room and it sounds fantastic. It replaced the sound card in my computer completely (a Soundblaster). They work really well and sound great, and you can get them new off Ebay for like $150.

Second on the the Firebox. I travel with one. It's freaking bulletproof, the pres are quite good, it's tiny, and it can be bus powered.

The only thing I didn't like about the Firebox is that you have to use the AC adapter for phantom power. I didn't realize that Firewire bus power was not enough for phantom power for mics. It's no biggie.

The software bundle with the Firebox is awesome - Cubase LE is great.

And you can go to Torrentspy for anything else you need.