One Man Band

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:03 pm

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. Cool

My goal is to start a "one man band". I play guitar so I want that recorded, drums would be done through midi, and bass would either be midi or done by me DI or recorded.

Since I'm a bit of a computer nerd, I already have step one complete: I have an extremely capable computer that will be able to handle anything I throw at it. This is running Vista if you were wondering (the only "uncapable" part Smile

)

So I need the following things:

* A firewire audio interface with at least one mic pre & midi IO.
* A midi controller.
* A mic for recording guitar.

I'm obviously posting here looking for suggestions on what to get for each of those. But I'll give you an idea of my price range and what I'm looking for by telling you what I've found on my own.

Audio Interface: Presonus Firebox
Midi Controller: M-Audio Keystation 61es
Mic: SM57

So I'm not looking for a "cheap" sound. I've heard some fairly professional recordings come out of the FP10's pres and I believe the Firebox has the same pres. I'll be using VSTs like EZdrummer and Reason Electric Bass for the midi, so that should sound equally professional. The Keystation 61es has all the features I'm looking for (not much!) and is cheap. I just want a quality midi keyboard that has semi weighted or at least nice keys and no extra frills (to lower cost for me) with at least 49 keys. The SM57 was a no brainer because I'll be recording just guitar.

Thoughts? My budget is around $600 give or take $100 for your convenience. So obviously I'm under some constraints, otherwise I'd have the brick on that list.

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:19 pm

It sounds like you thought about this? You've made some sense! You don't even really need a FireWire device as a USB 1.1 or 2.0 is more than adequate for recording to 4 tracks simultaneously with USB 1.1.

That SM 57 is just the ticket and if you think you may possibly record a vocal? You might want to purchase a foam pop filter? Of course, an SM 58 would sound the same on a guitar amplifier as a 57 and has obvious advantages when tracking a vocal. When it comes to cutting vocals, I'd just as soon have a SM 58 over just about anything else made.

A few other things you might want to consider? Some decent control room monitors. They needn't be fancy. Modest KRK's kick butt.

Kick butt engineer (not an instruction code)
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:39 pm

Edirol UA-25.

2 pres, Midi, it's shiny.

Everything you want.

Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:42 pm

So the only things I'm looking for advice on are the interface and midi controller.

For the interface:
$300 is my max. I'm essentially looking for the interface with the best pres in that price range. Minimal features, I don't even need midi or anything cause that's all through USB with the controller.

For the controller:
49 keys. or more if it's a must. Preferably no knobs, faders, pads or whatever (to keep the price down). Just nice keys. Semi-weighted if possible. Obviously velocity sensitive and all that.

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:42 am

FP10 is 299 at Musicians Fiend right now.

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:23 am

Yeah the scratch n dent is 295 at musicians friend. I might consider it.

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:46 am

Midi keyboards are pretty cheap, depending on what you want...

I have a M-Audio Keystaion 49e cheap and cheerful and it is more than likly under $100 its £60 over here in the UK.
you cant really go wrong with midi keyboards or control just depends what you want if its got it on the specs and its in your price range your fine...

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:14 pm

I'm thinking of the E-Mu Xboard49:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/EMu-Xboard-49-USBMIDI-Controller?sku=706284

Any thoughts?

This topic sponsored by: