The Steel Guitar Forum

The Singer of my band wants to get a homestudio to record our stuff in CD-quality (Voc, Git, Bs, PSG, Dr - no midi stuff).

She has no idea what to get 'cause there's so much gear out there - and I'm not into that anymore.

So what "standard gear" would you suggest to buy? It should be halfway easy to use and not be very expensive.
Hm, as I write this I realise that there will be as much opinions as people on the forum...

But maybe you have some cool ideas. Everything is much appreciated.

Martin

Almost hate to touch this one. The last time I suggested a used adat system the place nearly came un-glued. Here's what we need to help you folks.

What equipment do you already have that can be used? (mixer, effects, playback speakers, computer, Mic's)

AND>>>how much do you want to spend.

Also do you mind using some of the gear that you may use on stage or will you want a complete setup that stays in one place.

I have a feeling that most people here will suggest the Roland gear. It's an all in one type setup. I personaly use ADAT's and outboard gear. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Joe E on 03 March 2000 at 11:59 AM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Joe E on 03 March 2000 at 12:01 PM.]</p></FONT>

We have a microphone.
Errr...

We sure want a modular set up. But why do you suggust the ADAT? I really want to know. I always thought HD-recording would open up more possibilities in the amatuer-level...

Martin

HI Martin,

Well, I like the adat for many reasons.

One is that they are very modular. You start with one and can add them as you need them. You don't have to sell your 8 track and buy a 16 track, then sell that for 24.

They use very little real estate compared to other machines.

There is 250 thousand of these out there. So compatibility with other people is easy. You could record something at one place, take it to another pop in the tape and record more. etc... I get guys who start a project at home and bring it to me for mix down or vocal overdubs.....

You can buy them cheap. Black face units (the originals) are about 500-700 bucks with fairly low hours.

And they are Pro.

HD recorders are very flexible and some are inexpensive. With a good computer and a 300 dollar box of software you can get you started.

I started on Reel to Reel, which sound great but are huge. I then went to ADAT and was able to get a pro sounding studio in a 12 space rack, and a mixer. It does become adictive though. I now own a full blown studio with multiple adats, great mic's, comps, pres eq's, FX, midi, computer mastering, Dat mixdown etc...

I had started out recording my band's demos, and song writing. I now record and mix projects for all sorts of clients and uses, including radio, tv and cd's.

I still have the first adat I bought and built on to that.

Joe

Sorry one last tid bit. I think bOb said in a previous post simular to this that he recorded his current cd on a roland VS800 or somthing like that. ITs an all in one unit. Not so cheap, but complete.

The format you choose to record your music wont do the work, and get the tones for you. What I mean is, owning a 2 inch machine, or a high 8 machine dose not ensure that you will get a great sounding recording. Good mics are expensive, and would have to have good mics and good gear, before it would even matter what format you are using. A Tascam high 8 machine (the kind that uses the DA-8 tapes), a good mixing board, and a few good mics would be a great place to start though.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Steve B on 04 March 2000 at 08:03 AM.]</p></FONT>

Take a good look at the Roland VS1680. I bought one a year ago and it has replaced a room full of equipment with much better quality and at a very good price. If you are looking for the biggest bang for your dollar the VS1680 is your choice.

Martin, no matter what medium you use, be SURE you get the best monitors you can afford! You can have the most expensive studio gear, but if your monitors aren't accurate you will never hear exactly what you are recording.

You will save yourself a great deal of money and heartache if you come to the decision that you are going to use the home studio as a sketchpad for your ideas and arrangements.
Then, when you are really studio-ready, you use someone else's professional gear to make your CD or 'trying to get a deal'demo. That way you will not have to be buying top of the range mics, mic pre-amps, compressors, enhancers etc.
There will be good studios available cheap near you, and if you play your home demo to the engineer there, he or she should be able to give you the sound you want.
I'd try something on the lines of a Yamaha MD8, which is an 8 track minidisc recorder- theoretically horrible, but very easy to use and good enough for everything except professional mastering. A cheap good mic for recording is the new AKG C3000.

------------------
Cheers!

I'll cast another vote for the Roland's. They're reliable (unlike PC based systems) and provide the whole ball of wax in one unit (digital recorder, mixer, and effects).

Roland stuff is great quality but their manuals are among the worst in the business. That's offset by the fact that there are several online users' groups that are of tremendous aid to the new user.

------------------
Rick Richtmyer
users.erols.com/rickrichtmyer

I've noticed that Roland is now selling digital monitors to go with the VS series recorders. They are expensive - about $1k for the pair - but when you consider that they include the amp it sounds like a good deal to me.

The monitors also feature Roland's COSM modeling. These means that you can simulate a number of other brands and models of speakers when you are doing you mixdown assessment.

------------------
Rick Richtmyer
users.erols.com/rickrichtmyer

I would vote against a PC based hard disk recorder, unless you are very, very (very) handy with dinking with the system software and hardware of a computer. It can be extremely frustrating to get all the various things to work right. I'd vote for a dedicated system. Roland, Fostex, Akai, Yamaha and others make some great stuff.

------------------
www.tyacktunes.com

I use a hard drive system. Mac G3, MOTU 2408, Digital performer.

The mikes , mike pre's and monitors will cost a minimum of $2000 to have something semi pro level.

Tweaking a computer system is a very complex and frustrating process.

I would put my vote in for the Roland unit to get up and running right away.

Read Electrontic Musician magazine. They have alot of info on this subject.

Bob

Roland user's have a web site / forum which contains lots of useful information. Here is the address, check it out. www.vsplanet.com

One more if you don't mind? The Roland is a very good way to go but the MiniDisc stuff is very affordable. Home recording is really good practice for going into a "pro" studio and not wasting a lot of time. Once you've worked out you ideas at home you can walk into a studio knowing what you want.

Great music will always sound good no matter what it's recorded on. Remember, we have more choices than anyone had 30 years ago and they did pretty good back then, eh?

CU, joe