Hi.. i want to start up a home recording studio. nothing fancy. just something to get me by till i get more money to start up a better one. Im wondering what equipment i should get.. right now i have a computer. and quite a bit of instruments. i have a program too but i would like a new one too. im looking for: Mics, Headphones, Hardware, Software, a better keyboard, and anything i might have forgot. Thanks for any and all help. also im not ready to pay a lot for something. thanks, TYler

Hi tyler_the_tyler,

Here's some options that are out there:

Mics: For basic instrumental recording I'd go with a Shure SM57 (around $100) and for any vocal work a Shure SM58 (around $100 as well). They're pretty industry standard and aren't too hard on the wallet. Good enough for a beginner and good enough for a pro.

Headphones: Lots of choices out there. I like my Samson CH700s. They're decent and were relatively cheap. Behringer has some economy class headphones as well that are OK.

Hardware: M-Audio products are a good choice for beginners in terms of cost. The Audiophile and Delta lines are anywhere from around $120-$500 and all use a PCI interface. They provide good quality conversion from analog to digital and some even include breakout boxes. For MIDI a simple M-Audio 'MIDI Sport' (roughly $40) is alright for one input and one output. Other then that, focus on your computers RAM (I'd say 1GB is plenty for the most part).

Software: I know Cubase has an entry level bundle (SE1) going for around $150 and would be good for getting you off the ground.

Keyboard: Not to familiar with keyboards. Sorry!

Some research and shopping around should yield good results. Just take your time and remember to enjoy yourself. And don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions when purchasing. Good luck!

Mics - If ure intending to recorind instruments, shure sm 57 is the way to go. for vocals, u can get sm 58 or a budget condensor like studio projects B1.
Headphones - Im currently using senheizer HD 200. But u can read online reviews to see which one u'll like =)

Hardware - U need an audio interface. I suggest u invest quite abit into this, u can consider M-audio 's firewire 410, or any of the rival company's similiar model. either presonus, emu etc.
Next is a PC with relatively good specs. 1gb of ram should be sufficient for your n make sure u have lotsa harddisk space, best to get 2. one for software, one for audio files.

Software - For recording, it really depends on you. You wanna buy Cubase , Sonar , etc. Cubase and Sonar both have cheaper versions besides the full pro ones, so you might wanna consider them. I'm guessing ure doing pure recording, no need for softsamplers eh? If not i'll reccomend some softsamplers =)

a better keyboard - Which keyboard are you using currently? You looking to use it for midi controller or for the sounds?

Thats abt it. please state ur budget so we can give more advice ;)

Mics: SM57 is nice, I personally also like it better on vocals than the '58, but you should also get a pop filter for vox. If you prefer a condenser I can highly recommend the Oktava mics (MK-012 for SD, MK-101 for LD), shouldn't cost too much either.

Headphones: What for? For mixing I can't really recommend any. (But if it's the only option get ones with half-open construction)

Hardware: You'll need a good audio interface/soundcard. For example an EMU 0202 USB

Software: Check out REAPER. Or Tracktion, both are good, and cheap.

Keyboard: I recommend the M-audio axiom series, not the cheapest but very good. Of course if you want 88 keys, get something else.

thanks everybody,

The mic im goin to go with the Shure SM57. it looks nice for a cheap price. if i ever get more money i will probably by another one.

The program im going to go with Cubase SE1.

The MIDI controller im not sure what to go with. im debating between the Axiom 25 that was suggested earlier, or a Behringer BCR2000 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHBCR2000) im not sure if they are the same thing or completly different things. So if any one could let me know on that one that would be great.

I would like to upgrade my sound card. im not too sure what i have right now but im sure what ever is suggested would be better. I was told that i wouldnt want a sound card that has Sound Blaster, there was something else too but i dont remember exactly what it was (SC97 i think?).

Thanks again,
TYler

Quote: I was told that i wouldnt want a sound card that has Sound Blaster

Very true. Here's the one I'd specifically recommend for an entry level "pro" card...

M-Audio Delta 44 - I use the same card right now and it's quality is very good for the price. It includes a seperate "break-out box" (much like a snake to extend your connecting point to somewhere more convernient) and has 4 ins and outs - all 1/4" jacks. I've hauled the break-out box around with my computer and submitted it to some rough housing with no problems. It's a fair price, more then enough I/Os for a small setup and generally, a safe route to take.

Before I purchased this card I was using a SoundBlaster as well . The upgrade is well worth it.

Thanks for the sound card. it looks to be what i have been looking for. but im still wondering about the MIDI controller. i would like to know which would be beter for me:

1.Axiom 25 (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=076455b0d4c6a5ed8562b999aea132a5)

or

2.Novation 25LE (http://www.djdeals.com/novationREMOTE25LE.htm)


#2 looks to be better for less but i would like to get some feed back on that from people who actually know what to look for. thank you



-TYler-

I'm not so sure about the delta 44 recommendation... does it have microphone preamplifiers integrated? If not you might have a problem connecting the sm57...

and about the keyboards, as i said, i like the axiom series, they have many functions and the keys feel nice (very important imo)

l0calh05t - Thanks for pointing that out. I've grown so accustomed to my personal setup that I forgot that I run all of my inputs through a mixer first before they hit the soundcard.

Specifically I use a small Peavey PV8 (4 XLR, 2 1/4" INs, Phantom, etc.) that runs for around $130-140. This may be an option for you tyler_the_tyler. If not, there are mic preamps available for less then that as well as some soundcards that have a preamp built-in. One that comes to mind is the Presonus Firebox.

Everything depends on what you are doing.

If you are doing everything VSTi on your computer, and not worrying about recording actual audio, then you probably want to go with a hardware controller and some nice studio monitors first.

Axiom are the best hardware controllers, period. They are rugged, work well, and are easily programmable. The pads are good for drums, the keys respond better, and it feels more sturdy than most toy/plastic like keyboards arround the same price. The 25 is like $179, the next largest is $250. I got the bigger one.

As far as studio monitors - you won't realize how helpful they are without having listened to them or used them. I personally like the KRK rockets, they are a nice monitor for like $100 each.

It goes without saying that you will want a decent audio card, but again, if your not recording actual audio into it, you don't need anything SUPER fancy. you can get some decent cards that don't hum for like $40. (you'll notice the hum the first time you try to record a mic on your 'standard' card).