Help me build my studio!

[yomislih]

Alrighty. I'm taking the plunge. I've been recording for the past ten years using variations of 8-track recorders, from cassette to digital. I'm at a point where I want something better.

I want a home studio. I want Mac with the appropriate hardware. My problem is that I have no idea where to start. That's where you good people come in. I need your help. I want you to tell me how to get the best bang for my buck. So please, if you have the time and the desire, help me out.

What kind of Mac do I want and with what specs? I'll need to run Pro Tools, Cubase and Garage Band efficiently. At the most I'll be recording 3 tracks simultaneously.

What kind of hardware do I want? I don't even know what to ask about this! All I know is that I don't want USB. Do I want a mixer or what? I'm completely lost here.

And possibly the hardest part. I don't want to spend a ton of money. Anywhere from $1000 to $3000 seems reasonable to me, but maybe I'm wrong.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. I'm completely new to this world.

[paul999]

I run an Imac $1500-$2000. Next I would get something like an alesis io26.$400. It will come with cubase le free. You don't need a mixer. The alesis and mac are fire wire.
Cheers

[willjrockstar]

Then i assume that this home studio is for YOU ONLY and NOT a band.
Reason is that if you only look to find a unit that handles only two,three or four tracks simultaneously, that kinda puts you in a position not to be able to record with anybody. Even six would be a tight squeez if you wanted to record you and a drummer. Throw a bass player and a singer in to the mix and it aint gonna happen.

Also in my meaningless opinion, A computer and some recording software doesnt constitute a home studio. The funny thing is that we all have this kick ass equiptment but probably about 10% of us have a great sounding room to record in. And that can make a huge difference.Im not one in the 10% by the way.
Depending on the kind of gear you want, youll probably end up right up against that $3,000 mark.

Good luck i hope you get what you want.

[Bigduggieface]

Originally Posted by yomislih

I need your help. I want you to tell me how to get the best bang for my buck.

In order to determine what gear is needed, we will need to know what sources you will be primarily recording.

What instruments do you plan to record? Would you need to purchase a microphone(s)? Perhaps you're interesting into getting into MIDI or sampling. Any details about how you plan to apply your new tools would help us help you.

I think paul999 was wise to suggest a good computer as the heart of your rig. You can easily upgrade any preamps, microphones, or software, but it can be a MAJOR inconvenience upgrading your computer system.

Recording equipment technology is becoming more affordable and yet more complex every day. This forum is an excellent place for you to learn from the rest of our mistakes and successes. I'd suggest that you explore the forum for topics that discuss the questions that you have. Many members have experience with the very topics that you are asking about and the discussions are often exhaustively examined. You'll probably discover the answers to questions that you've never even thought of asking!

Welcome to the forum.

[String7th]

Your post is all over the place. It's a good thing you stopped by here so we can straighten a few things out. I'll start from the top:

Define "better." Better recordings? Louder? cleaner sound? A computer will not get you these. A computer will make recording visual which can make it simple to record and mix, have more tracks to mix in. Organize digitally instead of cassette tape. If you have been recording for 10 years, A switch to computer recording will not make you a better audio engineer

If you only require 3 simultaneous tracks, you don't need much computer power. I'm not going to bother talking you out of Mac, just get the smallest cheapest mini. This mac has 2 ghz CPU and 2 gigs of ram. It's enough for your needs.

The main part of digital recording, besides the computer, is the interface. Since you require Protools and Cubase, you are forced to buy Digidesign ($$$$$), or M-audio ($$). Some digi hardware works with other DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation like Protools and Cubase), but you would have to ask a Protools user. Almost anything out there will work with Cubase. A simple, plug-n-play, 4-channel interface from M-audio would be $350. For your requirments, USB is the better choice. Firewire options double in price like the Profire2626, and has more than you will need.

Your mics plug directly into the interface preamps, the Cubase and Protools software is very easy to learn. Presonus interfaces come with free Cubase LE, you will have to pay for Protools with M-audio, Digidesign is more expensive but comes with Protools.

Computer=$600
USB Interface=$400
When you demand more the price jumps up:
Protools Firewire interface=$650-800
Protools m-powered software if not bundled with interface=$250

[newkid]

Originally Posted by willjrockstar

Then i assume that this home studio is for YOU ONLY and NOT a band.
Reason is that if you only look to find a unit that handles only two,three or four tracks simultaneously, that kinda puts you in a position not to be able to record with anybody. Even six would be a tight squeez if you wanted to record you and a drummer. Throw a bass player and a singer in to the mix and it aint gonna happen.

Also in my meaningless opinion, A computer and some recording software doesnt constitute a home studio. The funny thing is that we all have this kick ass equiptment but probably about 10% of us have a great sounding room to record in. And that can make a huge difference.Im not one in the 10% by the way.
Depending on the kind of gear you want, youll probably end up right up against that $3,000 mark.

Good luck i hope you get what you want.

Limited only if you think recording means to track every person and instrument individually. You can record a whole symphony with just two mikes and two tracks. And those CDs were sold commercially.

If you have a pc then $2K should get you an excellent home studio that matches any pro studio when I first recorded.

Now the room is a whole nuther issue. If you are going pro to do commercial work then you will be spending some really big bux. Or renting a studio.

If you just want to have a lot of fun and make decent recordings you can do do that. And if you are really (insert adjective of choice here) then you may want to tweak your room and spend a lot more than you did for the gear (or as a cheaper alternative find one that is good already to use for your final take after rehearsing at home !!) .

[ahh]

I just asked a similar question in another thread.

I have a kick ass computer. I have great instruments. Will the TASCAM usb handle 8-16 tracks through usb? All of that data into 16 different recorded tracks? That would be amazing. Or do I need to buy a two hundred dollar soundcard with 10 line line (2 XLR, 6 RCA and 2 of something different?)

Keyboard (with midi AND mono or stereo sound)
Two guitars (with amps and effects)
Bass (with amps and effects)
Couple microphones for vocals.
Drum kit (electric only needs like, one or two slots I think, but acoustic kits require up to 8 mics for us)

8 for the drums, 2 for the guitars, 1 for the bass, 1 for the keyboard, 2 singing mics? That is 14, which I think is what it handles. Only two can be stereo. That is exactly what we need for now (with any luck something biggar someday). But, does it mix down those tracks in four tracks? Six? ONE!?! It all goes through USB, so I have no idea. Total newb here.

[String7th]

Originally Posted by ahh

I have a kick ass computer. I have great instruments. Will the TASCAM usb handle 8-16 tracks through usb? All of that data into 16 different recorded tracks?

I'm still not clear about the whole USB multitracking capabilities. Only recently did they make USB interfaces that took more than 2 tracks. I read the manual on the Alesis Mixer/interface and it clearly said, USB connects a stereo mix of your 8 tracks. Yet people said it can multitrack into Cubase or something.

This Tascam I'm sure will get 8, but you will need to ask a Tascam rep or user if it can get the other 6 line-ins as individual tracks and not a stereo mix. Look over the manual online to see how it suggests setting up with Cubase.