Digital Home Sound Recording Studio...

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/16/2006 01:14:38 PM · #1

I know it's a photography forum, but so many "artists" here of all varieties. I know there are also musicians here. But if this is so off topic to be frowned upon, site council can delete.

My son has a garage band now--8 players (many wind instruments). They are composing and want to record music.

He was looking for a good quality but inexpensive mixer (<$200). But while I don't know much about the subject, it seems to me that they want something that brings the sound into the computer on separate channels to be mixed there. They do have a portable computer (PC) they are using now to record (from a single mike I believe). And we could also use the Mac Mini if that's a better recording platform.

What's the best hardware and software investment for them now, since they don't have money as a group but rather will be chipping in)?

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

10/16/2006 01:46:38 PM · #2

I know alot about this topic, and there are tons of solutions. pm me with your e-mail and I will send you some information.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/16/2006 01:58:52 PM · #3

I have a USB input box from M-Audio, which lets you bring in/record 4 channels at once, but I've never really had a chance to use it. Something like that could help.

Probably the easiest recording software is Garage Band on the Mac; there's also an inexpensive PC program called N-Tracks which let's you do multi-channel mixing/recording; it's had several version releases by now and should be pretty stable.

I used to do a lot of recording and would be interested in getting updated too. Also, if you want an inexpensive 4-channel traditional (analog) mixer, I think I have one I ordered a while ago but have never used; I could probably sell that.

Elvis_L

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/16/2006 02:06:09 PM · #4

Thegrandwazoo. he does this i am pretty sure.

well he has the gear at least:)

Message edited by author 2006-10-16 14:07:27.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

10/16/2006 02:25:18 PM · #5

Cool! There are allot of devices out there for recording. I have the Digitech GNX4 it is a portable 8 track recording unit and effects processor that uses CF cards for data storage. It can be hooked up to a computer via USB or Fire wire and then acts as the interface for the computer and gives you unlimited multi-track recording.

The GNX4 is 500.00
Then there is the Digidesign MBox 2 Audio Interface it is 550.00 but need a computer. Both of these come with the software.

The reason I went with the GNX4 is that I could take it anywhere without the computer and record.

Like the GeneralE said M-Audio makes some great interfaces as well. If you have a Guitar center in your area they have all the killer stuff that you can get hands on with. I think your 200 dollar budget is not gonna make it you are looking at around 500 any way you go but it can add up fast and is never enough. Feel free to PM me if I can help.

Erick

Message edited by author 2006-10-16 14:30:39.

ShaneBlake

Nikon D7100

10/16/2006 02:32:21 PM · #6

thegrandwazoo may be talking out of his wazoo in the wpl2 finals thread, but he's pretty much right on here. $200 ain't quite gonna get it all.

to add to what he's already suggested, take a look at this box from presonus :
//www.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-INSPIRE-1394-FireWire-Audio-Interface?sku=241483

we're using it up at the church to record the sunday sermons and works quite well. it will let you record 2 xlr(mic) or instrument channels and another stereo source at once and comes with cubase le software that works well enough for what you want. the nice thing about the inspire is that when you wanted to, you could add another and chain them together later.

personally, i'm finishing off a bonus room to be a recording studio and i plan to get one of these : //www.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-Firestudio-26x26-Firewire-Recording-System?sku=241848

jfriesen

Panasonic LUMIX GH5

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/16/2006 02:39:38 PM · #7

I do some recording and I use a Tascam US122 USB interface (two XLR phanntom powered inputs) and some line unputs. I use this with an Audio Technica condenser mic (AT2020)

TOTAL PACKAGE COST (NEW) $300 bux

Not too shabby, its got nice sound.

You do all the mixing and what not on the computer. I would suggest getting a mixer with at least four inputs. I would suggest getting a couple of mics (get stage mics if your son doesn't mind not having condenser mics) run it into the mixer, and then from the mixer dump all the sound into the USB interface and then into the computer.

I think this is a cost effective solution.

------------------------

OR you don't have to have a mixer...

and get my setup and just record each instrument one at a time with a condenser mic and mix all the tracks together.. this is usually called "studio"

fotomann_forever

10/16/2006 03:18:40 PM · #8

I don't know much about the interfaces, because I do all of my stuff alone with digital multitrack dub-overs. I just don't need multiple inputs. So I'm no help there.

I've always like Cakewalk Sonar Pro for recording and MIDI sequencing. It's a great piece of software but a bit pricey.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

10/16/2006 03:20:07 PM · #9

Thanks so far for all the helpful responses.

One thing I have to understand is the tech requirements to keep tracks separate on the PC. Am I correct in assuming that anythng that goes through the mixer is "multiplexed" together into one channel. So to record 8 simultaneous inputs, we need a USB/Firewire sound interface with 8 inputs. Or can you combine a mixer and the interface and still retain separation? What about mixers with USB output?

Just trying to make sure I understand what a mixer is "for".

ShaneBlake

Nikon D7100

10/16/2006 03:29:05 PM · #10

Originally posted by nshapiro:

yes. i believe you've got it right. mixer will blend it down to 1 or 2(left/right) channels. to get them separate, you need a dedicated interface.

though now, there are mixers out there that _also_ have usb or firewire to put the seperate channels on a computer. last time i priced them, they were a bit expensive, though

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

10/16/2006 03:30:08 PM · #11

Originally posted by nshapiro:

So to record 8 simultaneous inputs, we need a USB/Fire wire sound interface with 8 inputs.

YES that is correct.

You can get a mixer that is also a interface like the 002 $2,195.00 or the Makie Onyx with the fire wire card about 1200.00

But most likely you would be fine with a interface and using the software as the mixer.

Apple iPhone 5

10/16/2006 03:31:05 PM · #12

I second the recommendation for n-Track - Plus, they have an excellent forum on their site.

Regarding the hardware. I use a Tascam US122 as well. Which is fine if you are recording a track at a time (for example, putting down a drum track first, then a bass track, then guitar, then vocals etc.) But it gets very limited when you're trying to record a band live, as it only captures two tracks at a time.

So yes, you're right - what you need in a band situation is a multi-track device. Something that will allow 8 audio inputs, which attaches to the PC via USB or Firewire, and this will then appear as 8 tracks in your recording software.

And then that means you'll need at least 8 good quality mics.... :-)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/16/2006 03:31:21 PM · #13

You need one of the mentioned input interfaces and separate software to maintain/record more than two discrete tracks simultaneously on the computer; all computers should have two-channel (stereo) inputs built-in.

A program like N-Tracks (PC) or Garage Band (Mac) would let you record two channels at once, then go back and record additional tracks in synch with the original; this lets you record more than two instruments individually, but not all at once.

With a regular mixer, you can have more microphones at once, but you have to mix down to two tracks before recording digitally. again unless you have one of those input devices.

10/16/2006 03:33:30 PM · #14

I should add the the Mackie Onyx is just amazing because you get the Mackie pre-amps built right in and Mackie is one of the best pre-amps out there.

But a SSL or Neve I would kill for ...

Message edited by author 2006-10-16 15:40:50.