Goddammit, being stupid sucks.

[KittyHime]

Ok... I really dislike when people post their stupid questions without doing an adequate amount of research beforehand. So I did a lot of reading around here. But alas... Everything I read just confused me even more. So, seeing that even even ample reading doesn't help when you've got a sub-par brain...

I'm a full-on 100% noob to home recording.
I will be recording roughly 16 tracks of Korg Triton EX, one to two guitars, and a few vocal.

So. With this setup in mind, my queries are as follows:
#1. As I go out to acquire a recording computer, what specs would be ideal?
#2. It sounds like Cubase comes recommended around here, but somebody once told me that recording music that is mainly synthetic is "different" and requires different equipment to get an ideal sound. Is this merely a load o' crap, or is there any truth to it? If so, what recommendations are there?

Also, I'm willing to spend whatever I need to to make songs that don't sound like ass. But of course, budget answers would be appreciated as well.

And with that I'll sign out and hope for you kind responses.

Thank you.

[garww]

It doesn't sound like you are in a time critical situation, so laying down tracks is not really a big deal for modest computing power.

Often more important is finding hardware with proven drivers for your operating system.

Synthetic is a good word to keep in mind. As this is digital, you have all sorts of options to synth your sound into whatever form you desire. The math takes computing power. If your doing a lot of tracks at once, you want to consider a second FAST hard drive on a separate controller for recording.

Consider that basic recording is fairly simple. Given that computers and software become outdated fairly quickly, you may want to not go overboard until you get your feet wet.

It's really apples and oranges as to Mac or PC - or Cubase or Sonar, etc.. There is plenty of capable recording software that you don't have to spend a paycheck on.

[KittyHime]

Originally Posted by garww

#1>Often more important is finding hardware with proven drivers for your operating system.

#2>If your doing a lot of tracks at once, you want to consider a second FAST hard drive on a separate controller for recording.

#3>Given that computers and software become outdated fairly quickly, you may want to not go overboard until you get your feet wet.

My Imbecilic noob responses:

#1: Um... Hardware with proven drivers? Now what the hell does that mean??

#2: When you say separate controller, what is the meaning? Another computer?

#3: I often tend to do that. Thank you for the reminder to not be a moron.

And for the overall good information in general.

And for allowing me to see a smoking pig. lol

[garww]

1. Vista "was" new. Stuff that worked fine on XP, is now buggy. So, there is always a lag in drivers for your sound card, for example. Sometimes, there are no new drivers because they dropped your model.

2. Usually a single controller in your desktop computer has connections for two devices - maybe the hard drive and the DVD. Most have two controllers for up to four devices. It's advisable to have the recording disk on that second controller. If you copy a file, it has to read the disk, then write the data. With two different controllers, you will get a better stream (performance) as one will be just reading and one will be just writing. This usually not a big deal if you are just recording a handful of tracks at once.

Everyone here has been in that moron spot : ) I seem to live there.

The pig is from an old album;
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/...3ee97308_o.jpg

Have you browsed around for audio interfaces to get you audio into a computer ?

[KittyHime]

So mercifully you say that you live in the moron spot. But, with my further questioning, the severity of my moron-icy will surely become apparent.

Music I know. But computers... Holy effin' shi-eyet I know not.

Ergo:

Originally Posted by garww

>#1. ...there is always a lag in drivers for your sound card, for example. Sometimes, there are no new drivers because they dropped your model.

>#2. Usually a single controller in your desktop computer has connections for two devices - maybe the hard drive and the DVD. Most have two controllers for up to four devices. It's advisable to have the recording disk on that second controller. If you copy a file, it has to read the disk, then write the data. With two different controllers, you will get a better stream (performance) as one will be just reading and one will be just writing. This usually not a big deal if you are just recording a handful of tracks at once.

>#3. Have you browsed around for audio interfaces to get you audio into a computer ?

#1. So,... This = After choosing my OS, I must check that my drivers are compatible, right? Problem is, I don't know how to check such things. How do I figure this out? I'm supposing that I first decide on my recording software, and from there there will be certain drivers needed. After that... maybe these needed drivers will have indicated on them what OSs are compatible and which are not? Or am I going in an entirely wrong direction with my assumptions?

#2. Ok, before my head blows up from trying to absorb and comprehend all this new terminology... Q1: What is a "handful?" I'll probably be doing roughly 20. And, Q2: So... most computers have the capability to have this second, faster HD installed, correct? While buying a new PC, is there anything in particular that I should watch for, or will pretty much any newer model do the job?

#3. ...Gaddamn. This I have never even heard of. What must I do? And please use easy words so I can understand.

Your patience is appreciated. :

[mindundermatter]

It sounds to me like all you really need is a 2-channel interface with MIDI inputs and a couple decent microphones. For it 'not to sound like ass' you'll also want to get a standalone preamp, some nice monitors, and at least one 'Cadillac' microphone.

[garww]

1. Software (Cubase) will have "System Requirements" telling the buyer what operating system, how much RAM, how much disk space, etc. that you need. And they usually have a "Recommended" for better performance.

This sound interface may require special USB drivers, so you just need to make sure there are drivers for your system.

So, there is supposed to be a new Windows 7 coming out, and much of the stuff I have may not work so well. It takes awhile for smaller companies to develop new drivers for a new OS. The old drivers may work fine - ya never know.

2. Ya, a desktop will usually have capability for expansion of this sort. You may not need to get fancy by any stretch, but you should be aware that you can increase disk performance. Usually, you record a few tracks at a time - you, guitar, a couple MICs. After you record the 10-20 tracks, it's a done deal for recording and it's now processing and just playback. If you record two-three instruments, two vocals, and MIC a drum set all at once, then maybe you need to be concerned. I don't do any of that, but I would guess that eight tracks at once would be OK on a decent NEW standard desktop - not a bargain box, but a upper mid level box.

3. Here's a link to Sweetwater (chosen for the web layout). I sorted it it priced low to high, and price is just number of inputs and features. These are USB interfaces, but here are other ways to do it. You normally use the software on the computer just as you would a mixer, so you just need a interface. You gotta' go to page five to see the 8-input models.

[garww]

Listen to MuM. You can get recording fairly quickly without getting overly anal about a perfect set-up.

[irawan gani]

Originally Posted by KittyHime

Ok... I really dislike when people post their stupid questions without doing an adequate amount of research beforehand. So I did a lot of reading around here. But alas... Everything I read just confused me even more. So, seeing that even even ample reading doesn't help when you've got a sub-par brain...

we were moron once, we still are and a bit more experienced after more than a few tries.

Originally Posted by KittyHime

I'm a full-on 100% noob to home recording.
I will be recording roughly 16 tracks of Korg Triton EX, one to two guitars, and a few vocal.

most Digital Audio Workstations (cubase, sonus, logic, protools etc) will accomodate that. it all depends on your preamp capabilities.

Originally Posted by KittyHime

So. With this setup in mind, my queries are as follows:
#1. As I go out to acquire a recording computer, what specs would be ideal?
#2. It sounds like Cubase comes recommended around here, but somebody once told me that recording music that is mainly synthetic is "different" and requires different equipment to get an ideal sound. Is this merely a load o' crap, or is there any truth to it? If so, what recommendations are there?

1- depends on your budget and workspace.

home studios usually dont need much due to limitations and recording space. for example its useless to get a big KRK monitors for your tiny bedroom. it should befit the recording space. or do you need 48 channels that would fit into your bedroom? if the ones with two inputs fits the space, then get those.

2-cubase is a good and proven DAW. and since there are a lot of users here, its easier to ask for help when there are technical problems.

for the second part of your point, there is some degree of truths in it. like i said on point 1, it depends on your limitations (space and budget).

with that said, a lot of 2 input preamps can record a great guitar sound (as an example), direct and mic'ed.

the chain of a good recording is this, good performance, good guitar (as in not damaged, signal problems etc), good reasonable cable (again, undamaged etc), good mic, good preamp, good link to computer, and finally you actually pressed the record button .

after that, its the skill of the engineer/mixer. the same goes to all other instruments and vocals.

Originally Posted by KittyHime

Also, I'm willing to spend whatever I need to to make songs that don't sound like ass. But of course, budget answers would be appreciated as well.

And with that I'll sign out and hope for you kind responses.

Thank you.

to make the song sound like ass, just fuck up any parts of the recording chain and it will sound like ass. if all has been recorded well, the mixing can get fucked up.

if you can spend whatever x-dollars good, but sometimes you do not need Neumann u47 for a tiny bedroom. it might be a good mic but a tiny and untreated (that is no sound absorber whatsoever) room will make it sound like a $2 mic.

anyway, i would recommend anything between $50 to $200 for each of the equipments (except for the computer of course).

for my case, my home set up for my small room, 5 by 5meters, 2 mics, Studio Projects C1 ($200) that works and sounds like a 2k Neuman, SM57 ($100), M-Audio Firewire Solo ($200 i think), Logic Pro DAW ($500), M-Audio Studio Pro 3 Monitors ($100).

on top of that, i have a $100 or was that 50 bucks, porta-booth that works almost as great as being in the studio itself.

if you are choosing between mac and pc, to me there is little difference. i have used both and am currently now using mac.

if you want to use a mac, the computers will be expensive but you do not need to upgrade the soundcard (usually). in this case, the more expensive it is, the more higher the processing power for recording.

for a pc, you might have issues with XP and Vista and so on so forth but with the proper upgrade, you will get the same quality as the mac if not better.

but in the end, it is your skill that matters.

ok, thats the end of my essay. i hope it has helped you in some ways. and yes, listen to garww and mindundermatter, they are experienced and less of a moron than we are. browse through the forum and listen to what they have done and you can decide for yourself if their advice are worth listening to.

have fun!

[KittyHime]

#1. Alrighty then, this one feels pretty much cleared up.

Ergo, on to #2. and #3....

Originally Posted by garww

>#2. Ya, a desktop will usually have capability for expansion of this sort.... (etc.etc. lot's o' stuff but no mention of a laptop.)

>#3. Here's a link to Sweetwater (chosen for the web layout). I sorted it it priced low to high, and price is just number of inputs and features.

#2. Does the lack of laptop-mentioning indicate that using a laptop is not recommended? I was kinda hoping I could. Do I need anything extra-special if I wish to go that direction?

#3. Ah, how very nice of you, thanks... But... Where's the link?? lol