First-time home studio

BakersMan · April 22nd, 2008, 09:49 AM

I know I've made a couple of posts regarding setting up my very basic home studio, and i thought a poll might get some quick responses.

I will be recording: Acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic and electric bass, organ, drums, vocals.

This is for nothing professional, just a hobby to keep me from thinking about work.

tuuur · April 22nd, 2008, 10:21 AM

If you want to go really basic, use your Mac with Garageband (available in iLife, $79) and a two channel Behringer mixer console (about $30-$50 on ebay) connected to the stereo line input.

It's actually what I use as a home studio.

Tim Armstrong · April 22nd, 2008, 10:29 AM

Yeah, if I was a Mac user that'd be the slam-dunk get-in-cheap way to go!

As a PC guy (hey, it's what I have!), I'm very happy with Reaper.

Cheers, Tim

tuuur · April 22nd, 2008, 10:42 AM

I tried Reaper with the same Behringer console, and that worked like a charm.
VST fx work good as well; something I still have to work out on a Mac.

BakersMan · April 22nd, 2008, 10:47 AM

Problem is, the Mac we have is the family computer (read as: My wife won't let me keep it in the basement studio), so I'd have to get a new one. Which I'm not against, it's just more of a purchase than just buying a console.

That's why I'm wondering about the Tascam - dedicated package, less financial commitment. hmmmm....

woodman · April 22nd, 2008, 10:53 AM

a good strong Mac with a Firewire interface will get you through better, IMO. i'm a Tascam loyalist from way back, but the digital standalone units have tiny windows and require massive menu-diving and memorization of pushbutton sequences. GarageBand is easy to master, yields good results and on a dedicated music computer, you could get a lot done in a short time.

winny pooh · April 22nd, 2008, 11:51 AM

Or the cheaper option, pc, reaper and any decent two channel interface with phantom power for your condensors.

octatonic · April 22nd, 2008, 12:53 PM

I chose the first option but actually I would go for something a bit more expensive.

Mac Pro Tower, RME Fireface and Logic Pro would give you extremely professional results- but is probably $3k higher than you want to spend.

BakersMan · April 22nd, 2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octatonic

I chose the first option but actually I would go for something a bit more expensive.

Mac Pro Tower, RME Fireface and Logic Pro would give you extremely professional results- but is probably $3k higher than you want to spend.

Actually, I'd LOVE to spend that much!! It's just that I can't!

tjalla · April 22nd, 2008, 02:05 PM

I've got a Fireface 400 and its a great little unit, although for your application maybe consider the Mackie Onyx Firewire desks. Better mic pres than most mid-level desks and you can order them from frontendaudio modded to take advantage of the good EQ section for recording purposes.

http://www.frontendaudio.com/Mackie_...ion_p/7276.htm

No affiliation etc etc - just one option that I've been tossing around for a while for myself.

hockey_head · April 22nd, 2008, 07:10 PM

i bought one of the carvin f e t condenser mics w/ power supply and plug
staight to my sound card using impedance matching transformer......great acoustic and vocal results, i think they're $20 off this month.

sax4blues · April 24th, 2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BakersMan

Problem is, the Mac we have is the family computer (read as: My wife won't let me keep it in the basement studio), so I'd have to get a new one. Which I'm not against, it's just more of a purchase than just buying a console.

That's why I'm wondering about the Tascam - dedicated package, less financial commitment. hmmmm....

+1

This was my situation and I chose the standalone option. I bought used which I think is a low cost way to lay down some tracks and check things out. I'm not computer tech savy (I've used computers everyday for 25 years, I just don't care what's inside) so I just wanted to plug-n-play.

3rdDIY · May 10th, 2008, 08:23 PM

I bought the TASCAM DP-02 because I wanted something that wasn't computer-based, I didn't know what I was doing, and I happened to have the right money at the time they were introduced to my local musicians addiction shop.

The learning curve for me looks like a hairpin. I went straight from recording with a cheap cassette machine to the DP-02, with very little information except what I've read and a few lies I've heard over the years.

Having spent a month and half with the DP-02 and half a semester with the manual... I am almost at the point where I am sure I don't have a clue.

woodman · May 13th, 2008, 05:02 PM

people are dumping Mac G4s like mad, you could probably get one on Craigslist/eBay on the el cheapo. it's likely to have GarageBand already on there. for hobby use, it's insanely easy to master and very user-friendly. i'm just sayin'.

mudbean · May 13th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman

people are dumping Mac G4s like mad, you could probably get one on Craigslist/eBay on the el cheapo. it's likely to have GarageBand already on there. for hobby use, it's insanely easy to master and very user-friendly. i'm just sayin'.

+1

mud

View Poll Results: What's the best beginner home studio for an intermediate musician?
Mac with Digidesign Mbox and Pro Tools LE	2	13.33%
Mac with Toneport and free recording software	3	20.00%
Tascam DP-02 digital 8-track with CD burner	5	33.33%
Something even cheaper?	5	33.33%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

April 22nd, 2008, 09:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
BakersMan Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Topsfield, MA Age: 31 Posts: 247	First-time home studio I know I've made a couple of posts regarding setting up my very basic home studio, and i thought a poll might get some quick responses. I will be recording: Acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic and electric bass, organ, drums, vocals. This is for nothing professional, just a hobby to keep me from thinking about work.

April 22nd, 2008, 10:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
tuuur Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: the Netherlands Age: 40 Posts: 1,009 7 Photos	If you want to go really basic, use your Mac with Garageband (available in iLife, $79) and a two channel Behringer mixer console (about $30-$50 on ebay) connected to the stereo line input. It's actually what I use as a home studio. __________________ If we all take the backseat, who's gonna drive? - Fred Cole http://www.myspace.com/tuuur http://www.myspace.com/daggermoon

April 22nd, 2008, 10:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,659	Yeah, if I was a Mac user that'd be the slam-dunk get-in-cheap way to go! As a PC guy (hey, it's what I have!), I'm very happy with Reaper. Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

April 22nd, 2008, 10:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
tuuur Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: the Netherlands Age: 40 Posts: 1,009 7 Photos	I tried Reaper with the same Behringer console, and that worked like a charm. VST fx work good as well; something I still have to work out on a Mac. __________________ If we all take the backseat, who's gonna drive? - Fred Cole http://www.myspace.com/tuuur http://www.myspace.com/daggermoon

April 22nd, 2008, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
BakersMan Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Topsfield, MA Age: 31 Posts: 247	Problem is, the Mac we have is the family computer (read as: My wife won't let me keep it in the basement studio), so I'd have to get a new one. Which I'm not against, it's just more of a purchase than just buying a console. That's why I'm wondering about the Tascam - dedicated package, less financial commitment. hmmmm....

April 22nd, 2008, 10:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,959	a good strong Mac with a Firewire interface will get you through better, IMO. i'm a Tascam loyalist from way back, but the digital standalone units have tiny windows and require massive menu-diving and memorization of pushbutton sequences. GarageBand is easy to master, yields good results and on a dedicated music computer, you could get a lot done in a short time. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

April 22nd, 2008, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,612 7 Photos	Or the cheaper option, pc, reaper and any decent two channel interface with phantom power for your condensors. __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions

April 22nd, 2008, 12:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
octatonic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: An Australian in London. Posts: 1,669	I chose the first option but actually I would go for something a bit more expensive. Mac Pro Tower, RME Fireface and Logic Pro would give you extremely professional results- but is probably $3k higher than you want to spend. __________________ "A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges." Benny Green

April 22nd, 2008, 02:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
tjalla Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,891 7 Photos	I've got a Fireface 400 and its a great little unit, although for your application maybe consider the Mackie Onyx Firewire desks. Better mic pres than most mid-level desks and you can order them from frontendaudio modded to take advantage of the good EQ section for recording purposes. http://www.frontendaudio.com/Mackie_...ion_p/7276.htm No affiliation etc etc - just one option that I've been tossing around for a while for myself.

April 22nd, 2008, 07:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
hockey_head Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: shortsville, ny Age: 51 Posts: 379	i bought one of the carvin f e t condenser mics w/ power supply and plug staight to my sound card using impedance matching transformer......great acoustic and vocal results, i think they're $20 off this month.

May 10th, 2008, 08:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
3rdDIY TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Temple, TX Age: 46 Posts: 41	I bought the TASCAM DP-02 because I wanted something that wasn't computer-based, I didn't know what I was doing, and I happened to have the right money at the time they were introduced to my local musicians addiction shop. The learning curve for me looks like a hairpin. I went straight from recording with a cheap cassette machine to the DP-02, with very little information except what I've read and a few lies I've heard over the years. Having spent a month and half with the DP-02 and half a semester with the manual... I am almost at the point where I am sure I don't have a clue. __________________ "Please Prepay After Dark" still applies if the lights are on over the pump, Ma'am.

May 13th, 2008, 05:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,959	people are dumping Mac G4s like mad, you could probably get one on Craigslist/eBay on the el cheapo. it's likely to have GarageBand already on there. for hobby use, it's insanely easy to master and very user-friendly. i'm just sayin'. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)