Yeah, that's a good point. The Line 6 does come with Ableton, but from the reviews I've seen, it's not the full version, and not as useable as Audacity. And, I'm not afraid of running my amp through it. Thanks for shoving me towards something more expensive, yet again. :lol:

The audiobox is very similar to the firebox. The firebox main advantage is faster streaming with firewire than the USB audiobox. Get a used Firebox which has 2 very usable solid state preamps. You would be hard pressed to find a dual channel solid state preamp in the price range of the firebox of better quality. The firebox comes with cubase LE.

It won't have a registerable version of Cubase used.

You know maybe if you contacted Presonus, they would clear you a registration number. The guys at Presonus are some class acts, and can be quite helpful. Not saying cubase LE 4 is better that the freeware already listed.

I've already stated that I don't think I have Firewire ports on any computers. I need USB unfortunatly. That cuts down on my choices by quite a bit. I have it narrowed between the Yamaha and the Presonus Audiobox. I'd like to know if anyone has had experience with either of them.

http://cgi.ebay.com…

http://cgi.ebay.com…

Don't let a couple bucks put you in a USB interface.
We keep telling you what to do, and you keep telling us you cant. You are right either way if you say you can or can't.

I don't have a laptop, or a desktop with an extra PCI slot. If I don't have a firewire port, a firewire interface does me no good. The money (this time) is not the issue. What is the issue is that I don't have what I need to run a firewire interface, unless I go to my den to record, and that's much too loud in my house. My bedroom (unfortunatly) is the only place I can make quiet enough to record. And my computer is a piece of junk. I only have one USB 2.0 port.

New motherboard ;)

New computer :wink: Unfortunatly, if you haven't noticed, I kinda don't have the money (*groans* "here we go again"). But, there may be another used computer in the works (for free!). I'm not sure if it has any firewire ports or not, but if it does, I'll probably keep my eyes open for the Presonus Firebox.

USB 2.0 works quite well, especially if you're only recording a couple inputs at one time.

Or, maybe I'll go for the Yamaha. :lol:

Oops, forgot. The Audiogram 6 is only USB 1.1. :cry:

USB 1.1 is fine for 4 (2 in 2 out) channels of 44.1khz.

Cool. Thanks. I'll probably save and get that Yamaha mixer then. I'll probably only be recording one track at a time anyway.

I've found Shure SM57 "new" without a box for $78 plus shipping. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Shure-SM57-Dynamic-Microphone-SM-57-Mic_W0QQitemZ270313553376QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item270313553376&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 Does it look legit to you guys? The seller looks legit to me, I'm just wanting your opinion.

Can we just lock this thread?

Giving a clue to the clueless still doesn't mean they have a clue.

Sorry. I'll just stop posting then. I don't want to force myself on anyone that don't want me around. See you guys. Or not. Whatever the case might be. Bye.

That dealer sounds like a typical salesperson. Since it technically isn't new, you run the risk of getting conned or the mic not working properly. And when sm57s go new for $10 more, I don't see why you'd want to buy from an Ebay dealer. Ebay dealers are like used car salesmen (a lot of them, anyway). Spend the extra $10 -- you won't regret it.

Thanks. And thanks for being civil. I really am sorry for sounding like a broken record. I think I may just stop posting and hang around the site waiting on someone else to ask my stupid questions for me. Would that be suitable to you guys? I can't say this has exactly been my warmest welcome into a forum.

Dude we have nearly taken you every step of the way by hand. The SM57 is an indestructible mic, so by it used.....you can by 2 used for the price of 1 new. Ive thrown you links, Ive told you to mow lawns to get a couple more bucks. You are waiting to get the answer you want to hear. You cant get a Neve console for $15 bucks. There is no reason this thread should have 12 pages. Save yourself a bunch of money and get a pathetic mic to plug into your sorry soundcard, and make brilliant recordings.

Wait a sec here. I've already told you what I can find used. I don't live in a very populated area, no big music stores. I've already gone to one of the biggest ones I'm ever around. They wanted $130 for an old dented SM57. Don't tell me to buy used. That just won't work for me. I am saving my money. And, I'm not going to record with an old cheap soundcard, I'm either going with a Yamaha mixer/interface, or a Presonus Firebox (depending on whether or not my new-to-me computer has firewire). I've decided not to go as cheap as I wanted originally. And, what's a Neve console? I'm still a newb, so I still don't know anywhere near as much as you guys. I also don't have the funds, or access to the funds you guys do. Haven't you ever been short on cash?

If something has the reputation for being indestructible why would you buy it new? You are on the biggest music store....the internet. If I'm short on cash I don't buy things I could live without. Now when you get your Yamaha or Presonus we will get flooded with questions easily found in the instruction manual. But then again you cant buy a firebox........because you don't have firewire.

I still live at home (if you haven't noticed, I'm young). Also, the cash I spend on stuff like this is just gift money, and a small amount of anything else I get. Most goes towards college. As you have been so thrilled with telling me, there are loads of people ripping people off online. As inexperienced as I am buying stuff online, I'd rather go with someone I know I can trust, like Musician's Friend. The worst they've ever done for us is they took a long time to ship our stuff, but that was when they changed warehouses. And, I'm not like lots of people, I actually read instructions when I need them. Before I ask for help, I always dig up the manual. You are making heaps of assumptions about me that are not true. What I was hoping you would do for me after I got my recording stuff is listen to my first couple of tracks and give me pointers on changes to make. But, you act like you don't want me around, so maybe I'll just leave you guys alone and find somewhere that don't have members that go nuts about stuff like this. And yes, there are a few. So, please, if you just want to attack me, back off. Do not hesitate to give me advice, but when you insist that your opinion is the only correct one, that's when I start getting upset. Recording is all a matter of taste. I want to make good-sounding recordings, but in the end, I want them to have my own flair.

As I have been told many times, if you don't have anything constructive to say, don't say anything at all. I'm sorry for this rant, but I feel like I'm being attacked.

*Duplicate of the reply I posted for you on the other "starter kit" thread - didn't want you to miss it.

Moneyless,

I can't believe your other (this) thread dragged on as long as it did either. I'd suggest you read your thread from the beginning, now that you have a month's perspective.

You got tons of good advice including jg49 on Page One of your thread: "If you were asking for advice about how to get in to home recording you got it but can't spend what around here might be considered the most minimal of investments. Good luck have fun."

I understand you don't have a lot of cash to spend. I understand you have computer limitations. If you had gotten a job mowing grass or shoveling snow (as the case may be) or part-time at the kwik-e-mart, you'd have a decent mic by now. Instead of wasting your time asking for advice you won't accept, find a part-time job. I can't speak for everyone here, but I worked my tail off for everyting I have today - and it started when I was 15. Nobody gave me anything and it was a whole lot harder to research anything pre-internet and pre-megastore catalogs.

You want to fly, but you can't afford a plane or even a plane ticket. We've been trying to keep you from jumping off the roof flapping your arms. At least save up for a parachute.

For the most part, everybody has been trying help.

Good luck!

Thanks buddy. You are very right. I owe everyone here an apology. As of right now, a job would be incredibly hard to get. In a few months, I might be able to get a job. I just don't want to spend any more on this stuff than is neccesary. And, the way I figure it, a cheap mic and mixer board would be the parachute. Anything better would be the plane ticket, until you hit pro stuff, and that would be the plane. Just my interpretation. Thanks again for that bit of perspective. I'll leave you guys alone now. I seem to be a pain to everyone, so I'll see you. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Nobody is trying to chase you away. Just about everyone that posted was trying to help you. If you weren't welcome they would have run you of town a month ago.

You're frustrated because they aren't being realistic about your spending limits. Right?

They're frustrated because you're not being realistic about what can be done with toy-store quality gear. With money being so hard to come by, that's all the more reason not to waste what money you've got on things that don't work. Otherwise your recording gear will be just like that cheap guitar you bought. It will be of no use to you past a certain point and have zero re-sale value - and you'll have to start saving all over again.

You asked for advice and got it. If that advice doesn't suit you, OK. Go buy whatever you have in mind.

You've been given a short list of things that work and are almost within your reach. We rooting for you to hold out until you can do it right.

Actually, in defence of my guitar, it is pretty nice. I have absolutly no plans to sell it, even if it would sell. I still like it, even though I have been playing other guitars that are more expensive. I am saving up, but some people here seem to have a chip on their shoulder from when I said I wanted to spend $20 on a mic. It's almost as though that was an insult to them on it's own. I'm sorry if I sound ungrateful, but you guys are a little pushy. I know that's kinda rude, because I know you do know what you're talking about. I really appreciate you helping, and I'm still mulling it over. I've already decided I'm not going to get any mic except the SM57, and I'll decide on the interface after I see what my next computer will do. If it doesn't have firewire capabilities, I'll just find a decent USB interface. Thanks guys. You have helped tremendously. Once again, sorry. And, thanks for your help.

It's no stress.

You're going to love the 57.

I hope so.
I am very sorry for that last rant, as well as all the ones before. I keep going way out of line, and I apologize. I do realize you are only trying to help, and I'm being impossible. And thanks for being patient with a young/stupid mind.

You're not stupid. We have spent a lot of time and money to acquire the knowledge that would fast track you. We have paid our dues. I have no problem helping you by piggybacking on my knowledge of entry level gear. There is gear that runs parallel to many items we have recommended, but we are trying to not let you take steps backwards. Many great suggestions have been made. We just have become frustrated because we might be loosing someone interested in recording if they start off on the wrong foot. We all want you to succeed, if we didn't we would have been recommending Beh@$%#er gear right from the start.

I was going to close this down a few times but there is a lot of good advice in this thread.

Don't everyone think that it's wasted just because one guy can't make a decision. Others are, and will get much from rerading the thread.

Moneyless, I will throw my suggestion in the mix. The E-MU Tracker Pre. Decent preamp, inserts, great 112dB SNR converters, killer software bundle. Mac and PC compatible, can use the pre amp stand alone. Works great on just USB bus power.

I use one all the time. Keep it in my laptop bag. Everyone here and any where else knows what a audio snob I can be. I've used a lot of different cheap and pro gear over the years and currently own enough pro gear to equip 2-3 studios and this thing is a winner. The pre amp is so much better than anyone could ever expect in a USB audio interface. For $149 street, it is killer value. In fact it is amazing to me how they make money on that package & bundle.

http://cgi.ebay.com…

Less than 150 new including shipping.....make this dude an offer.

AudioGaff wrote: Everyone here and any where else knows what a audio snob I can be..

WHAAAATTTT???? Really??????? :twisted:

Thanks guys. I'll check into it.

I checked into this one, but can't find some stuff about it. What kind of inputs does it have? And, it looks like it has two channels, do both have phantom power? If those two questions are answered favorably to me, I'll probably have to get that.

I/O Configuration:

Two XTC™ Class-A, ultra-low noise, Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamps. Balanced XLR, 1/4" TRS and 1/8" Inputs (-127dB EIN) with 60dB of gain
1/8" Stereo Condenser Microphone Input with 5V Power
Two 1/4" Balanced/Unbalanced Outputs (112dB SNR)
Two 1/4" Unbalanced Send/Return Inserts prior to A/D converters
Stereo headphone output (112dB SNR)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?cpd=0OEY&doc_id=99371&base_pid=705624&index=1

There was only one image yesterday. I know there was only one. I couldn't make heads or tails of the specs. Thanks for finding that. Now, I'll pick it up as soon as I get the cash. I might have it in a week or two. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

Hey, I've got the cash for the whole setup! *yelling "woo-hoo"* I'll order my stuff late this week, or early next week. Thanks for your help guys.

Hope it helps you start making some good recordings.

I know, the earliest stages are very difficult. You have a few ideas, but then the "REAL" world of audio gear gets shown to you, and you have to make tough decisions between worthwhile/cost-efficient.

Luckily, I've made most of those tough decisions, and have enough to work with now that I'll never have to choose the cheaper/quicker option. I'll just have to wait until I can afford something I know is "Brink" (as Remy says) and I know will serve my purposes.

Good luck!