Gosh, another question about recording.

[BigString]

Alright, ha, way to many questions here.
You guys are an amazing resort, so take these questions as compliments, and try not to hate me, .

So I know this question is asked lots, but here is my current recording setup. Also, be advised, I am getting some new equipment which is why I am asking.

Guitar (likely mic'ed) --> Yamaha 10WC Mixer (USB) --> Reaper Audio with Guitar Rig as a Interface --> Back to headphones (or speakers) from mixer.

Now, I do have a drum machine, and that goes in using the same premise. Its a 10 channel mixer or something (more inputs than I need), so just assume that any other instrument or drum/keyboard machine is plugged in the same way.

It this an ALRIGHT setup? Is there anything ELSE I need? I mean, I am planning to upgrade speakers, and buying MixCraft, because as far as I am concerned, it is an AMAZING program, ($74 too).

I've got a more than acceptable computer for it all, now, is there any sense is getting something like a Pod UX8 or anything?
Any upgrades I should be doing?

Thanks a ton guys.

[Tim Armstrong]

I always figure that if I have enough stuff to make the music I want to make, I have enough stuff, you know? Keep it as simple as you can to do what you want to do would be my advice!

Tim

[String Tree]

+ 10 db!!!
Get your feet wet before you jump all the way in to the pool.

What works best for one, may not work best for another.

Strats or Les Pauls?
Fenders or Marshalls?
The list goes on.

[ScatMan]

Originally Posted by BigString

Guitar (likely mic'ed) --> Yamaha 10WC Mixer (USB) --> Reaper Audio with Guitar Rig as a Interface --> Back to headphones (or speakers) from mixer.

Just a clarification: the Yamaha is the interface, Reaper is the DAW and Guitar Rig is a plug-in amp sim.

Originally Posted by BigString

Now, I do have a drum machine, and that goes in using the same premise. Its a 10 channel mixer or something (more inputs than I need), so just assume that any other instrument or drum/keyboard machine is plugged in the same way.

It this an ALRIGHT setup? Is there anything ELSE I need? I mean, I am planning to upgrade speakers, and buying MixCraft, because as far as I am concerned, it is an AMAZING program, ($74 too).

You should be able to connect the audio outs from your keyboard/drum machine to your mixer and record, but..

..if your keyboard/drum machine is MIDI capable, you can take advantage of Reaper's MIDI editing (I'm not familiar with Mixcraft. It may have MIDI editing capability, don't know).

If your key/drum machine is MIDI capable but has the 6 pin circular MIDI connections, you would need a MIDI/USB adapter something like this one.

The advantage of recording MIDI data is that you can change things after recording without having to re-record..

• say you recorded a drum track you liked but wanted to change the drum kit. You wouldn't have to replay the part, just change the patch.
• you could play a bass/snare pattern on one pass and then add hi-hat/cymbals/toms, etc. on other passes.
• maybe your drum track was cool but you messed up the timing a little bit..Reaper can quantize it (correct the timing) without you having to re-record.
• maybe you recorded a piano part but then thought you wanted it played on a Fender Rhodes instead of a piano; same thing, you don't have to re-record it.

Those are just some of the many nifty things that can be done when MIDI data is recorded.

If you don't think you want/need it to begin; don't let it stop you. You can always get into it later.

[woodman]

Originally Posted by ScatMan

if your keyboard/drum machine is MIDI capable, you can take advantage of Reaper's MIDI editing
...
The advantage of recording MIDI data is that you can change things after recording without having to re-record..

Gotta second that motion! After dreading MIDI for years, I was surprised at how easy it was to learn to work with. Particularly with drums, it changed my recording life from a living hell to merely a living heck.

[EDIT to clarify: When I read my post back, I realized I made it sound like I don't enjoy recording ... in fact I really do, a lot. But drum tracks were always the utmost drudgery with a drum machine; MIDI has lightened that load and resulted in far better tracks.]

[Old Cane]

Yeah, always use what you have. You can replace or add to it as money/needs increase but don't let anything stop you from starting out. And Reaper is really pretty good. Not sure if you'd ever need to change that.

[BigString]

Wow, thanks guys!
Helping out a lot, haha.
I'm trying to get the wheels in motion here, trying to develop as much knowledge as possible, so thanks again guys.

Love the part about the midi, I think I'm going to go with that, :).