Home-based Recording

I would like to get into some recording... but no idea where to start. I'm open to possibilities.

Craig

i know that you are a PC guy so here goes.

You need an interface. They make a usb and a firewire.
You can get a barebones m-audio for around 100.00 which will only have 1 or 2 inputs or you can get a 8 channel presonus for around 600.00.

Of course you can spend alot more than that but that is a good starting spot.
Line 6 makes a good interface for around 150.00 with a mic input and some
modeling sounds for vocal and guitar and bass.

I have the presonus firebox which is a firewire. Firewire will tend to be somewhat faster than USB.

My easiest and favorite program for recording is gargeband. however it is not available for a PC so i will look at the next in terms of easiest to use.

There are a couple of free ones...audacity and kristal. Both of these can record but you get whatt you pay for.

Entry level price would be cakewalk guitar...around 100.00.

I personally highly recommend Tracktion 3. The newest version of tracktion is the easiest i have ever tried including cubase, protools.

Tracktion 3 puts everything on one screen and has a loop browser where
you can drag loops in and change tempo and make them as long measures as you want.

If you have a midi keyboard you can access the sounds in tracktion...a lot of great ones and lay down strings or key pads or bass lines.

Tracktion3 comes with a built in DVD instruction that takes you from point A.

More Later if you have more questions Larry

in the next few days i will do a complete writeup with links for several budgets.

you can look at tracktion here

http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion3/index.html

I've thought about getting a Mac, just because of Garageband. I've heard it's the easiest and best way (for a beginner) to get into for home recording.

How much is a basic mac laptop?

craig - who still insists - compared to wink - that he is a beginner

craig, The newest thing out is the macbook. the apple store has them usually refurb for around 800.00-1000.00. the macbook can be loaded with windows
and OSX which is cool.

You can get a good ibook or powerbook in the 500.00 range that will run garageband. Lots of ram is good. I can give you some links if you are interested.

here is an interesting article. The G4 emac get smoking results here
and you can buy one used for around 200.00. Its an all in one unit.

If you already have a monitor you might consider a mac mini
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mac-Mini-Inte...PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You can use this tiny little tower with your monitor. Comes with garageband might can find a better deal but this is the idea.

BTW you are a tone meister!!!

Wink, I've been looking into recording, setting the church up as a virtual studio, and I'm thinking about getting this.

Tell me what you think. I'll probably get a new 3gig ram pc to run it. With a large hard drive!!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pr...puter-Recording-System?sku=706425

Would tracktion work with this? I think cubase does.

And do I need a separate editing program, and what does an editing program do?

Thanks... hey we still need to set up a service.

Craig

BTW - I'm back to playing my orange Strat, it's got a hb in the bridge which I'm really digging for some of our heavier songs.