Newbie - guitar, vocals, midi, computer

[kylborn]

Hello,

I've been browsing around here for a while and this is my first post. There is a lot of great info here but I am still a bit uncertain about the equipment to get.

Here is what my goal is: Recording guitar, vocals, and MIDI on my computer as a hobby.

Here is a list of my current equipment:

Pentium 4 3GHz computer with 2GB of RAM (integrated sound card, XP SP2)
Digitech RP500 guitar multi-effects pedal with USB connection (has multiple audio outs: XLR (left and right) etc.)
Axiom25 MIDI controller with USB connection (also has MIDI in and out)
Electric Guitar(s) and Combo Amp.
Acoustic/Electric guitar (also has XLR out).

I'm primarily using Cubase LE that came with the RP500.

I have gotten to the point where I can record my guitar and some MIDI sounds on different tracks through the USB connections. I do notice that the volume is a bit low from my guitar when using the USB connection, so I am considering changing my setup to eliminate the USB connection(s). Maybe that isn't necessary. I still need a solution for a microphone either way.

I think this means I am in the market for a new interface (PCI card, USB, Firewire, whatever works). I used the Sound Card Wizard, but I think I am so new to this game that I may need a little advice about my setup.

First the guitar: I know I have several options to record guitar. I'm leaning away from mic'ing an amp for now. I am thinking the chain will be:
Guitar-Effects Pedal-Amp-PC Interface.
Maybe the Amp doesn't need to be in there. I think I can use the XLR outs on the effects pedal into the PC interface. Maybe a preamp needs to be in there somewhere?

Second is MIDI: My main interest with the MIDI controller is to produce some bass and drum tracks to play my guitar with. I will eventually want to do more with it later, but for now that is what I am looking for. I don't think it is a problem using the usb connection for this purpose and maybe I don't need to change it, but if I purchase a new interface, I think I may want MIDI connections on it. I am using the sequencer that came with Cubase.

Vocals: I don't currently own a microphone or preamp. I don't anticipate having too difficult a time picking them out, but depending on my interface, I might not need a pre amp?

Taking all that into consideration (and the fact that I will only be doing 1 or 2 of those things at a time), I now have to decide what interface will satisfy my needs/wants and whether or not I need to buy a preamp. I think there are plenty products out there that will do the job, but I'm hoping to avoid buying something I don't really need or something that won't do everything I want. Here is an example of something I am considering:

E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface

I/O Configuration:
Two E-MU XTC Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamps
(w/soft limiter and 48V phantom power)
Two 1/4" Balanced Outputs
1/8" stereo speaker Output
24-bit/96kHz optical S/PDIF In/Out
(switchable to AES/EBU)
One set of MIDI In/Out
One Stereo Headphone Output
(Details courtesy of Musician's Friend)

Having read what I am trying to accomplish, do you think this would do the job? I think if I bought something like this and a microphone, I should be good to go, right?

The Lexicon Desktop Studios look like they might do the job, too.

I have also considered the M-Audio Delta 1010 LT PCI Digital Audio Computer Interface, but I'm not sure what else I would have to buy.

I would appreciate your suggestions about any part or all of my setup. Thanks in advance.

By the way, I would like to spend less than $300 on the recording interface.

[kylborn]

I think my first post was overly long and random. My question is:

Can anyone suggest a basic home recording setup for guitar, vocals, and MIDI on a PC?

[richiebee]

I like my Focusrite Saffire LE. It's about $50 more than the EMU. Sorry to chuck something else in the mix for you.

It's well made, and sounds great.

[kylborn]

Originally Posted by richiebee

I like my Focusrite Saffire LE. It's about $50 more than the EMU. Sorry to chuck something else in the mix for you.

It's well made, and sounds great.

That's fine, I was looking for advice. However, I went out and got a TASCAM US-144. Not having too much luck with it so far, but I think I just need to configure my computer the right way.

I'm not getting any audio out, but it might be because I still have my integraded sound on my motherboard enabled as the default sound playback in Windows. I read a few places that Cubase LE won't let you input from US-144 and output to another soundcard (at least not with the US-144 ASIO driver).

Maybe this is falling out of the "Gear Selection Help" scope and into a troubleshooting realm.

Other than it not doing exactly what I want right away (or me not knowing how to set it up), I think this device will suit my needs.

I'll let you know if I get it working.

[kylborn]

Yup, I disabled my onboard soundcard and set the US-144 to the default sound device and now I can record and hear what I recorded. I still have weird issues though... like I get no sound from my PC after closing Cubase, but I won't talk about that here.