Total newb here with lots of questions... Sorry

Submitted by TheWeez on Wed, 11/15/2017 - 13:41

I've been using a home built Windows 2000 PC for years to record and the computer finally bit the dust. I have an M-Audio four port card that I run two outs from my board into. A bootlegged version of Cakewalk SONAR, and various other items. I haven't touched this PC in years and really want to get back into recording but I have no idea what I need at this point. I'm sure a new computer with at least an i5 proc, 16GB RAM, and lots of HD space.

After looking into it, I'm seeing a lot of people are using DAC's as their I/O device and I have no knowledge of these devices. Can I simply buy a new PC, a DAC, and plug it in to a USB port? I guess I'm trying to figure out how, on a budget, I can get back to recording.

I know this post is extremely broad, but any advice would be most appreciated.

Comments

Some are using high-end DAC units in order to get the best convertion when doing mastering.
But this is part of mastering needs where the listening environement and equipement is critical.
Like bouldersound said, buy an audio interface with the ins/outs you need to record and playback.
Presonus and focusrite are good choices for beginners and with time you may outgrow them to RME, Antelope and other highend equipement.

What other equipement do you have ? Mics, preamps, monitors, room threatement ?
What do you want to record ?
Those are the questions that will help you choose ;)

pcrecord, post: 454051, member: 46460 wrote: Some are using high-end DAC units in order to get the best convertion when doing mastering.
But this is part of mastering needs where the listening environement and equipement is critical.
Like bouldersound said, buy an audio interface with the ins/outs you need to record and playback.
Presonus and focusrite are good choices for beginners and with time you may outgrow them to RME, Antelope and other highend equipement.

What other equipement do you have ? Mics, preamps, monitors, room threatement ?
What do you want to record ?
Those are the questions that will help you choose ;)

Basically, I have drums, a decent set of drum mics, several guitars and amps, Mackie 16ch board. I used to record a bunch and just sort of lost interest. Raising kids, paying for college, etc just sort of got in the way. I'll attach a tune I wrote and recorded some years back with my current setup. Probably a terrible song but it will get the point across. Basically, I have an MAudio 4-port card in the PC with two ins and two outs. I plug all the mics into the mixing board and use the outs to the computer. The ins from the computer simply run through the monitors. I'm having trouble grasping these DAC boxes, as they only have a couple inputs. Not sure how I can mic all my drums with that setup. I'm playing every instrument on the attached track and I'm not a drummer so please be easy on me!

[MEDIA=audio]https://recording.o…

Attached files PSunshineNewDRUMS.mp3 (4.5 MB) 

DAC meens Digital to Analog converter. All those are not ment to record, just playback.
If you are doing it for fun, have no budget and quality don't mather, a focusrite 2i2 could be all that you need assuming you premix the drums with your mackie.
A better setup is to get an interface with preamps to match the max amount of mics you will want to record at the same time.
Most drum setup can be done with 3 - 4 mics or a complete direct recording (closed mics and overhead) with 8 mics. (more if the kit is bigger)
So You could go budget again with a presonus : https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBox1818 8ins + 10 out usb
If you plan of recording a band and want more inputs, you'd need to plan having a unit with more preamps or a ADAT input to add an external 8 preamps unit.

The reason why I suggest to not use the Mackie is that you will get your mics on seperate tracks in the recording software and have better control. But also the mackie mixers out of some exceptions don't have good preamps. At least not better than many audio interfaces.

I hope it's getting clearer. Tell me if you want me to go deeper in one of the aspects of the setup..

Nice songs.. definitly need some work but a good start ! ;)

TheWeez, post: 454058, member: 50937 wrote: I'm having trouble grasping these DAC boxes, as they only have a couple inputs. Not sure how I can mic all my drums with that setup.!

Only a couple of inputs? With your old system you could only record a stereo mix of the drums. With something like this you can record each one to a separate track and balance them perfectly after the fact.

bouldersound, post: 454062, member: 38959 wrote: Only a couple of inputs? With your old system you could only record a stereo mix of the drums. With something like this you can record each one to a separate track and balance them perfectly after the fact.

Yup. It'll do. I have one. USB, pres are decent, and you won't have to submix through a board.
I'd like to see you get a DAW that you paid for, though. Cracking isn't something we like to condone or promote here on RO... then again if you buy the Presonus VSL1818, it'll come with a copy of Studio One Artist Edition. ;)
FWIW

DonnyThompson, post: 454068, member: 46114 wrote: Yup. It'll do. I have one. USB, pres are decent, and you won't have to submix through a board.
I'd like to see you get a DAW that you paid for, though. Cracking isn't something we like to condone or promote here on RO... then again if you buy the Presonus VSL1818, it'll come with a copy of Studio One Artist Edition. ;)
FWIW

OK, just to clarify, the Cakewalk software was obtained illegally 20 years ago. I've put tens of thousands of dollars into equipment through the years and don't make a habit out of acquiring things illegally. When I start acquiring equipment for my studio, it will all be purchased and obtained legally. 20 years ago was a long time.