general stuff

[wastrel92]

hi
Im new to recording and, over the next few years, I'm basically planning to turn my bedroom into a home recording studio. However, I don't know much about the subject so I need know stuff like approximate cost of the stuff and where I can save money e.g. do I really need a condenser mic. Also I'd really appreciate some more info on the software. At the moment I'm making do with audacity cos I'm a bit broke, but I'd like to know if I can make top notch recordings on some of the free software, e.g. audacity and kristal, or is the stuff like cubase uncomparable
I'd be really greatful for any info
Thanks

[Guastafarian]

if you have a mac, you can make sick recordings on garageband and that's free, but if you don't then I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with free software until you can save up money. If you buy any type of recording interface, like an m-audio fast track for $100 or a Line 6 Toneport for $50, you're gunna get software. Sometimes if you go to Guitar Center, they have free Lite copies of recording software, just ask and they'll give you some cool freebies without buying anything. I have a copy of Ableton Live Lite that I picked up for free from the counter there.

My friend has a fast track and gets away with their free software Sessions. It's great, the only must-have plug-in it doesn't have is a limiter.

Personally I got a Presonus Firebox and I love it. that's 300 dollars though, it all depends on what you wanna spend. I have done nothing to acoustic my room and i still get pretty decent recordings.

[Guastafarian]

One more thing, if you really want cubase, there's an interface called the Presonus Inspire 1394, and it comes with Cubase LE. It runs about $150.

The question about the condenser... I just bought a condenser about 2 months ago and i LOVE it. Basically the condenser gives me the sound I want without have to play with the EQ for an hour. Although... You can get everything done with an SM57. I have recorded an entire band using SM57's and cheap $20 mics, and you can get away with it. Won't be pro quality but hey, its cheap. Get a dynamic mic first before you get a condenser.

[brandondrury]

I'd like to know if I can make top notch recordings on some of the free software,

Absolutely! The software itself has little to no effect on the sound of the recording. You still have to feed great sounds into the recording software to crank out the killer recordings, but Audacity is definitely adequate.

do I really need a condenser mic.

A condenser mic is certainly not required. Way too many great recordings have been made with dynamic mics. Dynamics have their limitations in certain areas just as condensers or ribbons do, but just get started with what you have and go from there.

Brandon