The works - I want to build a beginner rig!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:06 am

So I've started recording on my PC recently. I started out a while ago with a Soundblaster Audigy2 and a Shure sm57. I also have a Marshall MG100DFX combo amp. I recorded everything with the sm57 straight to the soundcard, except electric guitar which I ran through the Marshall MG100DFX emulated line out and then to the soundcard. The recording was far from amazing, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was far from awful as well. When I went to add bass, however, I was stuck. Running the bass straight to the soundcard produced a very muddled sound with the low frequencies overwhelming the rest.

Questions:
I recently picked up a studio projects c1 and an m-audio audio buddy to serve as my phantom power supply & preamp. Will running the bass through the audio buddy to the soundcard help at all with the tone and sound? If not, could I do something similar that I'm doing with my guitar i.e. a Behringer bx-108 that has a line out? I think this might help since I'd have more freedom with EQ-ing. Is there any purpose to running the bass through an amp like the bx-108 and the preamp?

For software I've been using Acid 4.0. It gets the job done alright, but it seems a bit limited. I've seen Acid 5.0, which is nice that you can condense multiple tracks into one 'virtual track', to call it that for sake of argument. How is Steinberg Cubase? It seems to come with everything these days. What else is good = ease of use and features. (And don't say ProTools, I can't afford an MBox right now dammit Surprised

)

Any other recommendations anyone has? I'm pretty satisfied with the Studio Projects C1. Very versatile for the price. I wouldn't mind investing into a different soundcard at somepoint, or cutting the soundcard completely out of the picture with some sort of other interface if someone can recommend a good entry level piece.

Thank you to anyone who just read all of that. And even more to those of you who reply. In the meantime, I'm going to keep doing my homework by looking these forums over and over and over ad astra ad infiniti et cetera.

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:15 am

p.s. Oh right! One more very important question. What are recommendations for good entry-level monitors? (I know I'm asking for some wisecrack remark about how that's an oxymoron, but still Surprised

) I know monitors are an important piece of equipment, and one I haven't really delved into. So advice is apprecaited!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:00 am

Greetings,

If you're used to the way Acid works but want something with a bit more functionality you could try FL Studio or wait for the new version of Acid to come out in a couple of months time.

As far as your monitors are concerned, see if there's a local retailer that will let you test monitors in your room to see which sounds best. Failing that, listen to them in the store using material you're familiar with. Once you've got an idea of what you like, make a shortlist and come back for opinions on that.

HTH

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:24 am

Plugging the bass into a jack input on the Audio Buddy probably will improve the sound, especially if the bass has passive pickups, as the impedence of the input will be higher than your soundcard ins and more like that of an instrument amplifier.

You will probably get a better guitar sound by mic'ing the amp with the 57 instead of recording the emulated output.

Entry level monitors.. hmm. You might be better off with a carefully set up HiFi system until you get serious enough to buy into some real monitors.

re software; I always recommend Tracktion as it suits me very well.. try demos for all the options though and go with the one that most inpires you to create music. Smile

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:51 am

As far as entry level monitors go:

M-Audio BX series
Event TR series

I have TR8's and I've used the M-Audio monitors. They aren't the end all of monitors, but they are awesome for the price.

I've also heard some good things about the KRK Rockit series and Wharefdale Diamonds, but haven't used them.

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 8:05 pm

I second the Tracktion vote it is so much easier to use. It is way more intuitive than other software I have tried. It also comes with alot of plugins to get you started. It would be best to download the demo to see if you like it first. I heard of another program called energyXT that has been out for awhile I haven't tried it yet but it seems to be picking up a good following. There is a demo for this too.

I have a pair of the KRK monitors and i love em. For my situation (tight on space) they worked out great and were easy to setup. Like the others said you should try out a few different monitors to see what is best for you.

Good Luck With your endevours Smile

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