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Home Recording...

say_hisay_hi Posts: 312
edited March 2005 in Musicians and Gearheads
Im building a computer to record music, I want to be able to record at least 8 tracks at once for a live band. Any suggestions on what kind of set up I should use to record? RAM? Drive space? Software? Tips? Thanks!

(its for a pc)
4/30/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/8/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03, 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05, 5/4/06 (Letterman Mini-Concert), 5/5/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/15/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10
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Comments

  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    Pentium 4 or Xeon (or AMD equivalent) 2.0 GHz or faster (3.0 GHz + preferred).

    At least 1 GB RAM, the more the better.

    Primary drive of at least 10 GB for OS and program files.

    Secondary drive of at least 80 GB for audio/session files.

    Software is a conversation in itself... ProTools, Cakewalk, Nuendo, SoundForge, yadda yadda yadda...

    ProTools requires their hardware to use their software, others are flexible on the inputs.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • KillerIsMeKillerIsMe Posts: 208
    How much money are you willing to spend?

    but yea.. basically what mig said. p4 prescotts around 3.2 w/ hyperthreading (UNLESS you already have pro tools Le 5.x because then hyperthreading doesnt work with that, which i found out the hard way)

    AMD 64 3400+ or higher

    a gig of pc3200 (ddr400) ram. and dont get the really cheap shit.

    if you can afford it, get a 73 gig 10k rpm raptor to record on, as well as another hdd of whatever size you want for your os.

    oh yea, and lots of cooling, and a quality power supply. haha
    http://www.myspace.com/cannedanimal
  • say_hisay_hi Posts: 312
    cool THANKS for the info!!! now what do i use to get the sounds from the mics to the computer? i want to be able to have each mic have its own track, so i can mess with it and all... i have a 12 channel mixer but that only has 1 output... any ideas on this?
    4/30/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/8/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03, 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05, 5/4/06 (Letterman Mini-Concert), 5/5/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/15/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10
  • Bart138Bart138 Posts: 37
    You need a good soundcard. I have an m-audio FireWire 410, which suits my limited needs for the moment, but if you're looking for more I suggest the Digidesign Digi 002. It would kill two birds with one stone, as it comes with ProTools and is a control surface. If you want studio quality sound, be ready to spend some SERIOUS cash. You'll need a high quality A/D D/A converter, pre-amps, compressors, eq, etc etc. And don't forget the monitors!

    But to start with, a good computer and a mid-to-high end soundcard, coupled with some decent monitors should do.
  • KillerIsMeKillerIsMe Posts: 208
    i used to have fairly cheap studio monitors (samson whatever..) but i found my pc speakers (Creative 2500 2.1) gave me a MUCH more accurate mix, and not to mention saved me a hell of a lot of space. The 002 would be a good call if you are willing to spend the money. I prefer all the digidesign products over everything, even thought they got rid of the 001, which was one hell of a bargain.

    the Creative audigy 2 ZS is one hell of a good sound card (24 bit/192 khz) and will only cost you like 80 bucks, but if you look for deals you can get it for like 50, i happened to luck out and get it for 40.
    http://www.myspace.com/cannedanimal
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    There are also soundcards out there with ADAT lightpipe interfaces, so you could get that and an external mic pre with A/D conversion to ADAT. I personally own (and am enjoying) this particular model:

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/184120/

    If you use any software EXCEPT ProTools, that would be a good way to go.

    If you want ProTools, however, you'll need one of the following: MBox, 002, or 002R. I currently use the 002R, and it's fine. ProTools is great (has advantages and disadvantages). The MBox is much cheaper, but only does 2 tracks at a time (as does any USB interface). The 002 and 002R only have 4 mic preamps, so you would need external preamps to get 8 channels (they both can do up to 16 tracks simultaneous). I currently use that PreSonus into the 002R, which gives me 12 tracks at a time, and I've borrowed a small Mackie to get three more channels (left, right, and aux) for 15, and even once ran an electronic piano direct-in for 16 channels at a time.

    M-Audio and Mark of the Unicorn both make decent A/D interfaces...

    And I just ran across this little gem:

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/184131/

    That's a hell of a deal for $600. Comes with mic pre's, lotsa features, decent A/D conversion, and Cubase. Plug in via firewire, and you're off to the races!

    Which reminds me... get at least 2, 4 is better, USB ports and at least 1, 2 is better, Firewire 1384 ports on the computer.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • mamasan10mamasan10 Posts: 22
    there are witches wrote:
    Im building a computer to record music, I want to be able to record at least 8 tracks at once for a live band. Any suggestions on what kind of set up I should use to record? RAM? Drive space? Software? Tips? Thanks!

    (its for a pc)

    For software, I would recommend Adobe Audition, if you're willing to a little bit of money. It's basically a small recording studio in one program. Here's the link: http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/overview.html
    "He's a very strange young man."
    "He's an idiot. It comes from upbringing. His parents are probably idiots, too. Lorraine, you every have a kid that acts that way, I'll disown you."
  • say_hisay_hi Posts: 312
    Hey everyone, thanks for all the help on building a home recording computer!!! :) this is what I got so far:

    - Maxtor 200GB Serial ATA HD 7200/8MB/S-ATA-150

    - Ultra 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz CL3 (along with 256MB that came with my comp, 768MB total)

    - FIREPOD 10 Channel I/O with Cubase LE (got it for $520 my good friend who works at guitar center hooked me up!!!)

    - Windows Media XP 2005

    What else do I need? A good sound card? And suggestions? THANKS!!!! :)
    4/30/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/8/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03, 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05, 5/4/06 (Letterman Mini-Concert), 5/5/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/15/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    The Firepod IS your soundcard, at least for recording.

    You'll need a firewire port on your computer, if you don't already.

    And then you'll need some musicians/music to record!
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • say_hisay_hi Posts: 312
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    The Firepod IS your soundcard, at least for recording.

    You'll need a firewire port on your computer, if you don't already.

    And then you'll need some musicians/music to record!


    WOH!! REALLY??? damn..... thank you... you are amazing! :):):)

    my comp does come with a firewire slot, im not sure if its hooked up... so ill have to try that out... ill let you all know how this sounds once i get everything together and running!! THANKS AGAIN!! :)
    4/30/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/8/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03, 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05, 5/4/06 (Letterman Mini-Concert), 5/5/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/15/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10
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