Howdy

What pieces do you already have?

You basically need:

- a MIDI interface (if you intend to record MIDI)

- an audio interface

- a mic pre and mic

- probably a line mixer of sorts

- speakers and a power amp if the speakers are unpowered

- cabling

Let us know what you already have and the assembled masses can chime in.

As I said, I am well acquainted with recording in the traditional sense and had done so for many years, prior to the mass acceptance of digital- for-home/DAW studios.
I have a decent mic selection, a cheapie/not a high quality mic pre (thinking about a Great River), a 16X8 analog console, some outboard delays & reverbs, power amps, NS10/JBL and Tannoy monitors, the aforementioned G4w 2 matching flat panel displays and lots of instruments to record.
What I need to know is what other hardware pieces will I need? Some actual mfg/model names/numbers would be helpful as well.
Thanks--Rw

Howdy

OK. So basically, you need:

- a MIDI interface. If you use MOTU software, get MOTU hardware. If you have lots of MIDI devices, get a multiport MIDI interface like a MIDI Time Piece II (or MTP AV).

- a sound card. Again, I think if you use a brand of software, you should use the same brand of hardware (even though I don't follow my own rules). Check out the new MOTU 828 II. Its firewire which precludes the need for a PCI card. Apparantly it has some new monitoring features that make it "the bomb".

I use the Metric Halo Mobile I/O 2882. Its quite good and in a similar price range.

Good choice on the GR, get that. It sounds like you have all the rest of the stuff to get to recording. If you do a lot of vocal recording, consider getting some sort of vocal "channel" (basically, a chain with a pre, EQ and dynamic control). Whether that's a single unit like a "Manley VoxBox" or "UA 6176" or several units chained together (for example, GR MP1NV -> Speck ASC EQ -> FMR RNC) is unimportant.

Hope that helps. Perhaps others will chime in.

Thanks Nate for the answer. VERY helpful. I left the music biz (and SoCal) about 9 years ago and I left the home recording/demo-ing behind as well.
That's how far behind times that I am... 9 years. Am anxious to get back into it though. I don't have any audio mentors in the one-horse-town that I moved to and I hate going into the local music store...makes me feel very old! So I am at the mercy of magazines and groups like this one.
Hey my wife walked in, saw your name on your post and said she went to high school with someone w the same name as yours. Denver?
Anyway, thanks again for the helpful info. I am sure there will be many more questions that need answering. Hopefully I will get back underway soon.
Rw

Howdy

Actually, I'm from South Dakota...lotsa Tschetters there but I was born in Denver! Now I consider myself "from" California having been here almost 20 years.

Don't worry about being "out of the loop"...there are a lot of really good gear choices out there right now. Plus we have this fine forum to share our experiences.

Rick

Not sure if this helps, but here goes anyway.

I have a Mac Dual 867MHz with 768 RAM. I have set up a cableless (almost) system using Cubase SL, which accesses virtual synths which are either supplied with Cubase or purchased separately. I monitor everything through a JVC Boomblaster which gives excellent bass.

I have a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard which works well. I'm a guitarist, so keyboard parts are put into Cubase manually, but for the most part, everything else works very well.

Like you, I had to do some learning before splashing out on software and hardware.

Is this any help?

Motu stuff is great! If you're going to use DP4 I would go with their hardware. I wish I had done that. I'm using DP3 with a Digi001 interface but I have a Motu MicroExpress for MIDI. I'll be going for the audio interface Nate suggested whenever I can.

Good luck! You're about to have great fun!

Cheers,
Sioux