I want to utilize a computer for recording; have been using a Tascam neo2488 "studio in a box." Oh, it's driving me crazy. Nothing is easy or convenient on there. I really long for the days of an actual physical, knob eq in my fingers. Can I get a little mixing board, run mics in to that, and then run from the board in to a computer with "DAW?" What's the best way to do this? Mainly looking at tracking, 1 or 2 at a time: guitar and vocal, maybe 2 guitars. Total 6-10 tracks per project. My current computer available: laptop, i7 quadcore @ 2.3 GHz. No firewire port, but the "newfangled" usbs; upgraded graphics card with NVIDIA Geforce GT; 7200 RPM HD; 8 GB RAM; Running Windows 8 Pro 64bit. So, can this be computer "handle" digital recording without the fallout and other issues I've read about? I'm thinking about the Sonar X2 just to get started with software. Good choice or bad? Any other suggestions regarding how to get started quick and easy? Thanks for your feedback in advance!
Comments
you really don't need a mixer. what you need is an 'audio inter
you really don't need a mixer. what you need is an 'audio interface'. there are tons of them out there but something along the line of this [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.sweetwat…"]PreSonus AudioBox USB | Sweetwater.com[/]="http://www.sweetwat…"]PreSonus AudioBox USB | Sweetwater.com[/] will get the job done w/out breaking the bank, if your looking to go digital.
Kurt Foster, post: 402299 wrote: try the free version of [[url=h
Kurt Foster, post: 402299 wrote: try the free version of [[url=http://[/URL]="http://studioone.pr…"]PreSonus Studio One free[/]="http://studioone.pr…"]PreSonus Studio One free[/]. it's free ...
it sounds like you are ready as far as your computer goes but don't get your hopes up on simple and easy. not gonna' happen.
The hard part with computers is to put up a strong and stable computer/audio interface combination. You might get lucky and have no problem with drivers and latency... but there's so many forums talking about problems and tweaking to ignore the possibility trouble will find us one day or another. Once you have a good setup, it's nice ! I like it !
1- find an audio interface
-search it for latency and compatibilty problems, than search it with the DAW of your choice to see if there is some issues.
2- Sonar X2, is good. That's what I use. But it is fairly new and they still need to fix a few glitch, specialy with the first revision X2a
-I got it running, disregarded the glitchy fonctions and my projects sound as I expected so I'm good ! ;)
3- Computers are bound to fail someday. I guess it's in their nature! Be prepared !
-Have backups of your data of the OS. Plan HDD replacement every 1-2 years (depends how many hours a week you do)
-check your ram, check the S.M.A.R.T status of the HDD, defrag them, LOVE THEM! hihihi :biggrin:
-Don't do anything else with your computer, no internet, no antivirus, no games...
I might sound alarmist, but hey, my main work is computer technician ! I fix bugs all day, I don't want to have any with my DAW !!!
Sad part is ; when it runs smoothly, some customers will feel it's easy and they'll try to do it them self. They all have a computer, so why not ? Well, I'll keep, my (hardware) tube preamps and tube compressors, my soundcraft analog mixer, headphone PA etc... and make sure they see it. I won't hide the mic collection either! I will also explain some of the acoustic basics while I work, just to make them understand, there's more to recording than just a computer.. :tongue:
try the free version of [[url=http://[/URL]="http://studioone.pr
try the free version of [[url=http://[/URL]="http://studioone.pr…"]PreSonus Studio One free[/]="http://studioone.pr…"]PreSonus Studio One free[/]. it's free ...
it sounds like you are ready as far as your computer goes but don't get your hopes up on simple and easy. not gonna' happen. i'm about ready to throw the computer out of the window of my car when i'm on the freeway .. make a sacrifice to the freeway gods... get a 1" otari 8 track and a decent little mixer ... still have compressors and reverbs from the old days. i know it would sound a lot better.