[juventusfc99]

Me and a few buddies want to start recording some basic stuff, like one or two guitars, bass, drums, vocals. I'm probably going to be using GarageBand to do it since my PowerBook already has the app on it.

So I guess my question is, what would be the best rout to get started? Maybe buy a USB mixer and get a few mics?

Does anybody have any experience recording with GarageBand? How does it compare to recording with say an 8 track mixer or something like that?

Will 512MB of memory on my laptop be enough to handle several tracks of recording?

Any general tips as to how to get started?

This post has been edited by juventusfc99: 27 March 2008 - 12:45 PM

[zooloo]

You need more RAM for a start

The rest of it depends on how much money you have and what you want to do.

Overdubbing may be a problem for you and you may be limited to 4 tracks straight in.

This depends on your PowerBook spec.

Stuff - I used to have a Lexicon Omega and it worked very well, they do others now

MOTU do some interfaces too and (some) have ProTools LE - ProTools is biased to recording. Garageband/Logic is biased to MIDI. GB/Logic do a better job of recording that PT does of MIDI.

Currently I use a Presonus Firepod which is now updated as PreSonus FP10. Very pleased with it for the price. They do versions with tubes which sounds interesting but I have never heard one.

(Next step Apogee, I think)

Microphones. Cheap-end standard - Shure SM57 (Instrument) and Shure SM58 (Vocals).

There are cheaper clones, some very good sounding. The only difference sometimes is the Shure is a bit more robust, heavier build.

You can get large diaphragm condenser mics (LDC) quite cheaply but many have a nasty top end, a bit tinny. However there are some absolute gems to had for very little money. Good for vocals.

For most of what you have single mic is good, drums... you can do one two is better and the real minimum.

Garageband is cool and pretty easy to use. It's all very much like an 8 track without physical bits. (Logic is worth thinking about, it very cheap and the plug-ins alone are worth the price)

Oh... and it's best to record to a separate/external hard drive.

This post has been edited by zooloo: 27 March 2008 - 03:09 PM

[juventusfc99]

I'm planning on getting another 512MB of RAM, will 1GB be enough for basic stuff? As far as specs, my computer is a PowerBook G4 1.5GHz.

What do you mean by overdubbing may be a problem?

And as far as money, I'd like to keep it under $1000. That includes the mixer and all the mics.

I was looking on the net about home studio basics, and I read that Firewire mixers are better than USB mixers. (They also look like they are a little bit more expensive.) Do you have any advice about what kind of mixer to get....I want to record probably 2 guitars, drums, bass, maybe keys. Do I need an input for each of these instruments or should I just overdub?

[zooloo]

I don't know anything about PowerBook specs. RAM wise, the more the better.

Overdubbing may be a problem because of latency - the time it takes for a signal to go from you into the computer and back out to your headphones/monitor. More than 10ms is noticeable.

Firewire 400 and USB 2 look like they have similar speeds. The significant difference is that Firewire is designed for continuous data transfer USB is not. In theory this gives Firewire an advantage.

2 guitars, 1 bass, 1 vocal = 4 in
Drums = min 3 in, 4 better
Keyboard = use MIDI and record it after or SPDIF.

So that needs 8 inputs plus MIDI/SPDIF - PreSonus FP10 is about $500 and does that.

The other end is 2 track. Do a stereo track of the band and then overdub everything after. Drums will be time consuming, going for a 4 track input is probably the minimum.

Mics - JHS were doing decent Shure clones at a good price. (Not the very cheap JHS mics). You'll need 2, 4 or 8 of these... plus cables (Buy decent quality)... plus stands (K&M are good but not cheapest. Cheap stands are sort of OK but decent stands are better)

Plus an external hard drive, 7 500 rpm

It's easier to upgrade mics later than your mixer/input.

[HeteroBoy]

Overdubbing may be a problem for you and you may be limited to 4 tracks straight in.

Naw. I've done waaaay more tracks than that on my mom's iBook that's about... 3 or 4 years old.

[ninjato]

You want as much RAM as possible. 1GB is not enough IMO.

[midnightrambler]

I recommend something that models amps like a line 6 toneport for all your guitar recording. There won't be a cheap way to record drums well though.

[rasav]

Dude!!!
you've got 1000$???
Get a refurbished dell from tiger direct (300)w/shipping
Get a couple of memory sticks from the same place.
get a M-audio usb-2 10 channel in from Musicians friend

***If your dead set on mac check out the motu 8pre 16X12...
http://www.musicians...ace-?sku=240408

Pick up a drum mic kit from e-bay for 150
Go direct in on the instruments
Pick up a couple of SM 58 clones
and you should be set.
(From around 7-800.

Oh yeah... then you get the joy of figuring out how to use it all...

[mantra]

1 GB of RAM is enough in my opinion, as long as you aren't thinking too mighty stuff (it sounds like you aren't talking about getting a pro-tools rig). That's what I've been stuck with for years and it has never been a problem with recording. However, these days you might be able to catch more RAM for cheap. You can always get a recording interface/amp modeller and record guitars and bass separate, and then put them next to eachother to line them up when mixing. Thus you don't *need* several inputs and multi functional mixers. But, it's just a matter of how basic you wanna go.

[ninjato]

These are my recording tools.

Main mixer..

Event1 EzBus


Supplemental 4 track digital recorde/USBto PC interface
Zoom H4



Software: I use COOL EDIT PRO. I have been using it for years and does exactly what I need w/ a very small learning curve.

Total cost for me is about $1000 which include 2 mics. I use Shure SM58 and an ElectroVoice ND767

This post has been edited by ninjato: 11 May 2008 - 08:59 AM

[mantra]

I second that Cool Edit Pro. Used it for years, even though I have access to Sony Acid and Soundforge.

[CheapAdviceGuy]

Me and a few buddies want to start recording some basic stuff, like one or two guitars, bass, drums, vocals.

Everyone is recommending various computer-based recording setups, so I am going to be different and suggest that you at least consider a standalone multi-track recorder for your initial recording adventures. To be new to recording and to deal with the inevitable hassles of getting a computer-based system to work right is a lot to deal with at once. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on forums and FAQs and not so much time playing music! At least for awhile.

With a standalone unit you plug it in, connect the mikes, and press record. Obviously there's more to it than that, but in general it will be much easier to get started with a standalone unit, perhaps something like the Korg D-888. Note that this unit has a USB connection, so you can use it to record, then export the tracks to a computer for editing. This could represent your transition to a full computer-based setup.

Here's a review of the D-888 from Musician's Friend:

I got this unit to record off site of my home studio. Transferring tracks is seamles and easy (everything is a wave file!!!) Easy to figure out with a quick read of the instructions and sounds really good. Almost fool proof to recording newbies who have never tracked before (just watch the clip light!). It has all the I/O's you could want with simple intuitive controls for mains/monitor/phones. TRS AND XLR inputs. This is the first stand alone unit I've used that has rivaled my home studio and will make excellent recordings without interfaces, plug-ins, DAW's etc.!!!

Don't get me wrong. A computer-based system gives you much more flexibility and extensibility than a standalone unit. Most pros use computer-based recording now. Ultimately, it's the way to go. But you've heard about walking before you try running. The limited nature of the standalone unit works in your favor when you are learning the basics. You can be recording the day you get it.

My music partner, who has been recording for almost 30 years, got his first computer-based studio setup about a month ago. He is just now getting it going and still has latency problems that are keeping us from recording on it. He thinks one more call to the support line will do it. I hope so.

[isaac698431]

download audacity it is free recording software its briliant