Getting Started. I need HELP

[cesquivias]

hi. im looking to buy some stuff to get started for my mini home recording studio. i plan to do some KEYBOARDING and maybe a lil GUITAR. the music im mainly concentrating on is R&B, HIP HOP type of stuff. u know, using some beat machines, keyboards, guitars and vocals. not too many effects or instruments. what would u advize me to purchase? i have some knowledge of musical software and some hardware, the rest is learning along the way, but i keep hearing different opinions and what components and specs my computer should have. i have the following on my computer:

1) AMD ATHLON 64
2) 256 MB DDR 400 MHZ
3) POWER SUPPLY 300W/ 80MM INTERNAL FAN
4) I HAVE NO GRAPHICS/ VIDEO CARD OR SPECIAL AUDIO
5)100 GB ATA HARD DRIVE


i keep hearing all sorts of different things like getting a better MOTHER BOARD, POWER SUPPLY, MORE RAM, ETC might as well get a new and more expensive computer. im just really confused. maybe u can point me in the right direction.

[brandondrury]

I'll help you, dude.

In an ideal world, you'd have a mega high end motherboard, powersupply, ram, $3,000 preamps, $3,000 compressors, a million dollar console, a 2 million dollar room etc.

We've got to make compromises. I'd like to think that I'm pretty good at maxing out the bang for the buck. So I can help pretty good.

My computer uses a Athlon 64 2800 (You didn't mention the processor speed). I have 2 GB of Corsair RAM. A $40 Antec (I think) power supply. I have 3 200 GB hard drives (which I used much more when I was recording a different local band every weekend).

If you are serious about recording and will be doing a lot of it, I would suggest a seperate computer for recording. If this isn't in the budget, you could go with a dual boot setup. If you are not sure how to do this, just ask.

As for the soundcard, I highly recommend a real deal recording soundcard, mainly because of latency. Use the Home Recording Soundcard Wizard. It'll save you a ton of time.

Brandon

[cesquivias]

well, the computer i currently bought is gonna be used for MUSIC RECORDING ONLY. I have an ATHLON 64 3100+ i found the specs of my MOTHERBOARD online. i have no idea what they mean.. LOL

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Micro%20...NlYwNzaWJzcGVj

i did use the SOUND CARD WIZARD as u recommended and it worked wonders for me. Im getting the Presonus FIREPOD 10 Channel Firewire Interface w/ Cubase LE i dont think i need all those many channels but i may need them later so its a good price from what i hear.... i think.Now, i read on ur BLOG that i have to find a MOTHERBOARD that will be able to work with the SOUND CARD of my choice. Im guessing id just ask the specialist at the store if the CARD and BOARD would be compatible, right?? Also, my RAM is 256 MB DDR 400 MHz which i have no idea how much id need. i suppose the max that my MOTHERBOARD will accept? Sorry for asking so many questions but after reading your post and ur replies on many of the BLOGS i just think ur a genius when it comes to this stuff. thats why im here still... eager to get ur opinion

[brandondrury]

Sorry for asking so many questions but after reading your post and ur replies on many of the BLOGS i just think ur a genius when it comes to this stuff

You are right. I am a genius. Edison invented the light bulb, Telsa invented the Ray gun, and I started a home recording forum. Yup, the world bows down before me!


Dude, ask as many questions as you want. Without questions, this site would really suck!

As far as the motherboard is concerned, the big issue here is the "chipset". You don't have to know what it means. I barely know what it means. Just look for http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...irepod+chipset

It'll get started.

RAM really depends on what you are doing.
http://www.recordingreview.com/artic...rding/RAM.html

I never use a computer with less than 512MB RAM (by today's standards). I'm talking about for email, word processing, etc.

For recording, I'd get 2GB without thinking about it.

i did use the SOUND CARD WIZARD as u recommended and it worked wonders for me.

GREAT!

Tell your friends!

Brandon

[cesquivias]

thanks for the help. another question that just came up was... do i really need to upgrade to WINDOWS XP to use most of these accessories? i still work on WINDOWS 2000 and its been good to me. i have access to XP i just dont like it. Another question... should i stick with the Presonus FIREPOD that the wizard suggested or should i go with the more simpler Presonus Inspire. Its only 2 front/ 2 back inputs with no MIDI connection. Its FIREWIRE but no PREAMP and no MIDI. what do u think for someone thats just gonna be messing around for the first few months??? my budget is good.. i just dont wanna go for anything that i really wont use NOW but if the FIREPOD is a better investment then ill go for it. WHAT DO U THINK???

[cesquivias]

sorry.. i also found the Presonus FIREBOX which is also simple and includes MIDI I/O. im starting to think that regardless the FIREPOD would be the better choice

[brandondrury]

Only you can decide what features you need now and what you may use later.

The difference between the Inspire and Firepod is strictly features. You will get the same quality out of each. However, some of these features (like preamps) are required to record music. So don't sell yourself too short.

The Firepod is a great deal for anyone that needs 8 channels simulatenously. I can't tell you what you will and won't be recording.

The same goes for midi. There are other ways to get midi into a computer in tandem with a soundcard. (USB comes to mind). So you can always add midi later (assuming you have a midi controller). There are also midi cards that can be added as well. However, I'd recommend simplicity whenever possible.

Just remember that buying a $250 soundcard and then turning around and buying a $500 soundcard costs $750. I think the Firepod is a good all around choice, unless you never use it's features.

do i really need to upgrade to WINDOWS XP to use most of these accessories?

That's up to your audio hardware and your recording software. I've been a big fan of XP (for the most part) for a while now. You are going to have way more options with XP as far as hardware and software is concerned. I would recommend that you bite the bullet.

Brandon