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I have a band, and i would like to record a couple of our songs, at home.

What I'm working with:

Software:
-Sonar 8 PE
-Pro Tools 7.4
-Anything Software wise i can get if needed.

Hardware:
-Dell Dimension E520 PC. 2GB RAM.
-New sound card being bought today. (name coming soon)
-Gemini DJX-05 Head Phones.
-Line 6 75 W Amp.
-Gallien-Krueger (?)W Bass amp.
-Tama 5pc-Drumset. w/ 6 Cymbals.
-2.1 Sound System.

Now my question is:

I want to build a small home recording studio, set in my small room, just for the purposes of recording me and my band, nothing professional.

I would like to know (the bare minimum) i need, hardware and software wise, to get at least an average sound from the band. I don't have money for drum mics so preferably one or two mics that can do it all. (fairly well).

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I do not steal no software from the store ;) Sorry for misunderstand.

-KZ

Comments

Codemonkey Mon, 01/19/2009 - 12:33

"we burn pirates at the stake!"
I'm a Ninja which is why I got in.

Kristal is damn easy software to learn. And it won't get your name in *deeper* trouble with authorities.

"-2.1 Sound System."
Creative speakers? Failure.

You can record a whole band with 1 well placed mic and some patience.
Get the drummer to play while you walk around, decide where the drums sound best. Then make your bass/guitar amps fit around that so they sound good while you stand in that position. Put a mic there, press record, and jam on.

All you need then is one mic input (XLR Jack, not a 1/8" pink thing), and one mic.

anonymous Mon, 01/19/2009 - 17:42

My friends dad he say he can sell me 7.4 and let me keep it for around 100$ but i cant pay for that, what do you guys think, i cant really buy sonar cuz hes charging 250$ for it even at a discount i REALLY cant afford that. should i buy the pro tools from him tho, i know there is a newer version available so i don't know. And im on a tight budget since i only have 200$ of my own and the rest (hardware) is being payed by my father. (remember i still need part of those 200$ for equipment too.)

Codemonkey Mon, 01/19/2009 - 21:25

Protip:

Listening?

Software does not matter
Kristal, though I bash it a lot because I'm sick of it, will do 80% of what you want it to.

That's an extra $200 for hardware already.

You CANNOT open a studio without knowing what you're doing. Get some simple gear, learn the ropes, then move on to bigger stuff, get better gear.
Then fix your room acoustics, monitoring chain, and then move onto bigger things still. (Repeat until broke).

RemyRAD Mon, 01/19/2009 - 23:19

Khaoz, Codemonkey told you exactly what to do. There is a very well-known famous jazz recording engineer that actually makes recordings the way you were just instructed to make them. That's being a real engineer. You learn how to work with the minimum tools available. Then you start stepping up. You didn't learn how to run before you learn how to walk. It's the same with recording. I don't care what your friends father or your father will get for you. You need to start with one thing first. Besides, you are such a young little fool, you need specific computers & Digi design manufactured audio interfaces. If you don't have that, you can't run the software at all. For gods sakes child, get yourself some magazines & some books and get familiar with something. You can't do everything at once from the start. If you want to, do as Codemonkey described earlier with a single microphone. I've been doing this for over 38 years and that's how you do it.

Your mother
Ms. Remy Ann David

anonymous Tue, 01/20/2009 - 03:41

I've been recording on Mixcraft, with a 20 dollar chat mic for a while xD , recordings sounded 3/10 , so thats why ive come on here so you can advice me on what to buy. what type of microphone would i need? condensers dynamic, maybe a preamp, just so i can get a cleaner tone out of it, or an interface with built in preamp something,

I mean, i appreciate you guys help but just telling me 'Start from the beginning'. it is like if you ask me, "what is the tastiest fish easier to catch?" and i tell you, "Mac and cheese."

I would just like to know which equipment i will need to plug to my computer, (the bare minimum) nothing fancy, so that i can connect one or two mics. And if so what is a good mic for a cheap price?

Much respect.

-KZ

anonymous Tue, 01/20/2009 - 03:53

Code Monkey gave you an answer that was not "Mac and Cheese." His answer sums it up. If you tell us a little more about what you are recording we may be able to help you.

The only stock answer for a very broad question like this is "get an SM58 or 57."

What type of music do you play?
How loud are you?
How many people in the band?
What instruments?
Where do you plan to record?