Computer Recording setup. NEED HELP! NEED HELP!

Abe Stoklasa · From: Nashville, TN

I'm buying a computer just for recording and SERIOUS SERIOUS recording. Recordings to sell!
I was wondering if Cool Edit Pro 2.0 would be a good start for me. Could someone help me out? What else should I get? I'm very very serious about making professional CD's. I have a $2,500 budget. After computer, Cool Edit Pro 2.0 (If you guys approve), I would've spent about $2,000. I know the computer is very very capable and has a great CD burner. That's not an issue, and the soundcard is a "Creative Labs Sound Blaster 5.1 Live Audio Card" (This sound card comes with the computer. I hear it works good.) I know how to run the software and all. I've got great speakers, and I could just use headphones. I have good cables and instruments. I will need some kind of drum software, because I can't play drums, and can play everything else I want to. Any suggestions? Will this work for professional quality recordings? Do I need anything else? Will that sound card work? Is the software professional quality? Is Cakewalk's high end better?

I really need help. I'm desperate for some advice. Please help in anyway you can. If you know of any good websites, that'd be good, too.

PLEASE, I REALLY NEED SOME HELP HERE.

I want to thank you in advance.

Timmy Witt · From: Rocky Face, Georgia, USA

I use protools le and it was really easy to learn to use. check out digidesign website.

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Tim
1990 Lashley Legrande D10 8 & 4. Profex II, Blue Tube II, Nashville 400

Wayne Brown · From: Bassano, Alberta, Canada

abraham give me a call tomorrow... i tried to email you but it came back...anyways i have a 64 track digital recording studio and i got started for alot less than 2500.00 give me a call and i'll help you out bud ...i promise you won't be disappointed

wayne brown
c/o out west pac-seats
1 403 270-4539

[This message was edited by Wayne Brown on 29 June 2002 at 09:24 PM.]

Abe Stoklasa · From: Nashville, TN

Thanks guys. I'll check Protools out. I have it downloaded.

Wayne, thanks for all the help. I'll call around noon. I really appreciate it!

Wayne Brown · From: Bassano, Alberta, Canada

no problem i'll be here

wayne

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Don't be too quick to purchase. You have many options. Research, research!

A budget of $2.5K can set up a decent project studio these days.

There's many options.

For me, I did not like recording into a computer. It's fine for mastering. I use CoolEdit Pro for that.

But for recording I like a dedicated unit. I have a Tascam 788. Digital 8 Track, 250 virtual tracks. And under $1K.
(and if you want 16 tracks later, you can buy another 788 and master/slave them.)

What really sold me on this unit was Hoot Gibson's new project. Done on a 788!

Listen to it at http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/339/hoot_gibson.html
(Mike Johnson on Steel, Joe Caverlee on Fiddle.) It's worth the download time just to hear Mike!

You'll need compressors and preamps. Do a bit of searching on the Tascam 788 forum for this info. www.tascam.com

Other good links for home recording are http://www.sweetwater.com/forum/

http://homerecording.com/bbs/

Good Luck!

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 30 June 2002 at 01:19 PM.]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Abraham, take a breath...don't jump in just yet..PC's are excellent tools for what they are intended but they may not be the excellent tool for what you intend. I'm with Joey Ace on this one. I do and have done years of home recordings, no I'm not a PRO, but I have learned the hard way. PC's can be noisy, actually, ARE noisy. I have recently purchased a BOSS BR8 used on EBAY for under $400, 8 tracks, all digital domain with stereo effects and can't be more pleased. This is not to say there aren't several Hi Quality Digital 8 tracks out there 'cause there are and the Tascam 788 is one of the best as well. I would take a look at the Digital Workstation market and what they offer as opposed to PC recording. Virtual tracks, markers, auto punch in, pan effects, full input level controls,scrubbing,full editing copy/paste , on board and input EQ and the many other options that are packaged with a portable stand alone are at least worth a consideration. Sound quality..? well, second to none. Some of the Hi End Roland workstations use a Monitor and are mouse driven as well.

Good luck, it's a great road to be on.

I have a link to my website, if you have a minute take a look at my MP3 page where I have added a tune called Tele' Time which I have recorded on the BR8, mastered on the PC and converted to a small MP3 file for listening. There's no going back after working with the digital domain. Going forward I can see 16 tracks though..

tp
TPrior/SteelGuitarHomesite

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 01 July 2002 at 04:45 AM.]

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

Do you mean noisy as in fan noise from the computer? I'd agree with that--you have to get lower noise cooling or isolate the computer if you want to cut acoustically right next to it. If you mean any other kind of noise, I'd be curious to what you mean.

PC recording is great, too. I make a large part of my living recoding and mixing on a PC via Paris Pro. It lets you use a lot more third party effects via plugins.

I think the smaller workstations are very cool, though, especially for home recording. However, don't write off the PC thing, cause it can grow with you as your needs become greater. YMMV

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Yes, John well spoken, noisy, hard drives,fans, bad sound cards, monitors that create hum with chords etc.. unless you have a well layed out studio with a PC , just sitting at home in front of the ol' VGA and clicking and recording may not be the best solution. Several years ago I had a full PC based midi studio, 8 track tape, 16 channel board and found the best projects occured with the monitor off. But it's hard to see the screen with it off ! My comments are only intended to offer a different point of view. Lets be clear, home studio's that are built around the PC as the focal point are incredibly great. At the same time a stand alone workstation can offer similar value and results and does not have to be a permanent fixture.

tp

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

I use a combination of a PC for mastering and a Roland VS1680 for tracking. I get the stability and flexibility with the Roland and the expandability with the PC. VS1680's can be bought nowadays for around $1000. Roland also has the new VS1824 which is a hyped up 1680 with a burner built in and the 2480 which delivers 24 tracks.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

John, fine machines they are. I somehow think my next move will be toward one of those Roland machines. The BR8 that I just acquired is basically my entry into the all digital domain and so far I'm quite impressed.
tp

Abe Stoklasa · From: Nashville, TN

I have 3 different options in mind. I just wish there was a way to try them out before buying. Any ideas?

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Abraham, what are your three options? I'd be willing to bet that someone here on the forum is close to one of them.

tp

Matt Steindl · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

I use a Tascam 788 for tracking, and then dump it to my PC to tweak/use plugins/master/burn to CD.

There is sooooooo much info out there for ya on the net. Check it all out!!!

Good luck!

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

Tony,

I figured you were talking about fan noise. That has been my biggest problem, though pretty well soved with low-noise cooling fans. I don't get any noise from the monitors and such.

I was at a friends last night who had the new Yamaha 44 something rig, and it was pretty cool, and sounded good. For me, I would run out of tracks waaay too quickly

.

Technology is grand, though...

Matt Steindl · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

I would not worry about running out of tracks. You can dump em to your PC/MAC and still be able to tweak em later.

Another thing, is lots of the new stand alone workstations are offering interchangeable HardDrives. Not sure what kind they use, but I would imahine that they would be somewhat affordable.

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

Good luck with your computer recording. For the moment, I use the protools free software tht you can download off the internet. It's easy to use, and the price fit my budget (perfectly). Perhaps you can downlaod it and then see if protools is the way for you to go. I found it very easy to use. The imporant thing with recording on a computer (or recording anywhere) is your connectors -- what are you going into it with. These are what you really need to spend your budget on. The recording is only as strong as your weakest link. Get high quality pre-amps and if you mike things, good mikes. And get the best interface for your software tht you can afford.

Best of luck,
Susan

Tom Diemer · From: Defiance, Ohio USA

I'm certainly no pro, but I get very good results with a Delta 66 OmniStation soundcard/preamp ( http://www.midiman.com/products/m-audio/omnistud.php ), and Ntrack multitracking software.

I don't find PC noise to be a problem at all, as long as I keep cables from single coil pickups (my strat to be specific) away from the monitor. The Omni is a breakout box with 2 very nice preamps built in. 2 other line ins, and 2 SPIF inputs/outs, Effects loop, 2 headphone jacks (runs 4 sets nicely), seperate outs for all 6 channels.

The two preamped line ins use a jack that will handle either high or low inpedence connectors. Very handy.

Ntrack ( www.fasoft.com ) runs very well on a slower pc, extremely easy to use, and cheap. Lot of power for very low money. The Delta can be a bit fussy about chipsets however. (like any other high end card) Likes Intel best.

Tom

[This message was edited by Tom Diemer on 03 July 2002 at 06:52 PM.]

Abe Stoklasa · From: Nashville, TN

My three options would be:

(And these branch out)

PC and soundcard with software
Mac and soundcard with software
Digital Workstation with PC and software

There are so many options under these categories to consider. As far as cables and mics go, My dad has bought about 5 $300 PEAVEY mics and cables for them about 4 years ago. He bought them for live performances, and worked very well. That's what I'll be using.

I just want a VERY professional quality recording sound. I have quality mics and cables and instruments. I just need the PC, Soundcard, Digital Workstation, Monitors, or whatever.

Wayne from Canada has a system for me that I think would work very well. But, I understand that there's a million options, and I just want to get the best one.

Again, I thank you for all the help. I've learned so much from you all.

I bought Electronic Musician July 2002, and It helped me alot, too.

Jerry Gleason · From: Eugene, Oregon, USA

If a Mac is an option, I have to say that my iBook works great running Digital Performer 3, with a MOTU 828 Firewire interface. The iBook doesn't have a fan, you can't hear the hard drive unless you have your ear up to it, and the lcd screen doesn't cause any RF noise in guitar pickups.

I picked this setup primarily because I wanted a very portable, quiet system with the power of a digital audio workstation. I record to an external firewire 80GB drive, which is quiet and easy to connect to another computer, giving me the ability to move a project to a more powerful workstation for mixing and mastering with more plug-ins than the laptop can muster. My 500 Mhz iBook is comfortable with about sixteen 24-bit tracks, a generous assortment of eq's, compressors and limiters, and a couple of different reverbs on aux busses. Much more than that, and the screen display in DP3 slows down too much. A G4 powerbook would be just the ticket if I were to move up a notch.

Understand that owning good recording gear or software does not necessarily guarantee attainment of your goal of a "professional sound" any more than owning a good steel will make you a great player.

[This message was edited by Jerry Gleason on 04 July 2002 at 01:06 AM.]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Jerry , yes , well said. Abraham, a good friend ( keyboard guy) told me years ago that all the new stuff was preventing him from playing music ! All the bells and whistles in the world cannot make or guarantee good music or good sounding music.
After reading your posts and sort of understanding ( I hope) what you want to do I would recommend this, and I am not saying that I know anymore than anyone else, I would get a small stand alone Digital workstation, work with it for several months to gain recording experience. The Peavey mics you mentioned may be great for the bandstand but may not suit your ear for recording. Just like Headphones, one pair sounds great , another does not..but they are the same price. Go slow, work hard on the music and then move a little faster. Spend your time on making music and then upgrade your recording gear as required. You may find your entire focus will change as you start working with a workstation. There are many many quality CDs done on workstations, I would start there before laying out dollars just to acquire gear. Hell, you can do that on any given Saturday !Several Workstations can be had under a grand, Tascam, Zoom, Boss, Roland , Fostex. etc..all will give you excellent recordings provided you input fine music. Remember, recording tools are no different than Instruments, the same recording gear in the hands of different folks will give different results.

I have a friend up in CT who has probably spent his entire life , well the last 2 decades anyway buidling and rebuilding his home garage studio, new gear, always upgrading to the latest stuff, PC's , Workstations, keyboards, modules etc...He writes songs , makes CD's and sends them out regularly to whoever..he even went on a trip to Nashville to "walk the street" with his songs..Well you know what I'm gonna say now, and I feel bad saying it, he should have spent his time practicing his Instruments .The tunes he sends me regularly with all the new recording gear etc... sound exactly like the ones he and I made together 15 or 20 years ago on the old Teac 1/2 inch 8 track.And sadly, the music hasn't changed either. Like stated above, it always comes back to the performance. Fluff is Fluff.
A great recording never sold a record, A great song with a great performance are the bread and butter. With that, add a great recording and now you've got "GOLD".

Good Luck, have fun..Burn that CD !
tp

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 04 July 2002 at 05:26 AM.]

Matt Steindl · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

You said it Tony! The golden rule of recording is:

GARBAGE IN........=.........GARBAGE OUT.

I often have the same affliction, instead of writing and rehearsing the perfect tune, I will spend 5 hours working on a sample of a croaking frog in reverse to sit in the rythym. It ends up sounding kick ass, but it would have probably been off for the song just recording 2 tracks w/ acoustic guitar and Vox.

Viva la reverse croaking frog sample!!!!!!

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

erik · Posted 4 Jul 2002 7:06 pm

Well said, Tony. Although having heard Abraham's earlier efforts i can tell he is a perfectionist, and just may have the chops to fill a high quality recording.

Abe Stoklasa · From: Nashville, TN

Well, I'd really like to give it a shot. I'm not a quiter, and I have several people around here that can help me if I get in a jam. I appreciate all the help, really. That recording forum and Electronic Musician also helped me. Thanks

Abraham

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

I recently entered into the quagmire of options in the home recording scenario as well and started by simply adding a Creative Audigy Platinum Ex sound card/module to my PC (which was a 600mz 4year old model). To my suprise, after numerous support inquiries to Creative about excess noise that I was hearing, it was decided that my intel motherboard was the culprit and that "older motherboards can be too noisy for newer sensitive soundcards." OK- onward-- pickup new Dell computer and noise goes away. In the meantime I also picked up a Tascam 788 (this is an amazing unit- by the way) as I was beginning to realize some of the shortcomings of PC recording if you're doing it all by yourself. I now have the PC hooked up- in and out- to the 788 via the external drive that comes with the Audigy card- and am able to record both from and to the PC easily- including burning CD's, etc. I have been using Sound Forge as part of my PC software and have been unable to find ProTools for the PC- XP os- around to check out. This has been fun and provided me with hours of both enjoyment and frustration as the learning curve is steep once you venture into track bouncing, etc. The Tascam forum is a great resource but seems to be down for the past day or so.

[This message was edited by Jim Palenscar on 06 July 2002 at 09:10 AM.]

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