Just to clarify a few things, this is my MF list:
An E-MU Tracker Pre USB 2.0
A Shure SM57
A Live Wire Cable
A windscreen (made specifically for the sm57)
And a cheap stand.

I'm hoping you guys will hear some of my music after I get it made, and give me some recording pointers.

Congratulations!

You should be off to a good start. There was just one thing I didn't see listed, do you own some decent headphones? - (forgive me if you covered that elsewhere, I don't have time to re-read the whole thread.)

We're looking forward to hearing some music!

Well, yeah, sorta, not really. I've got some old Koss headphones with, like, 20 mm drivers that I'll use until I decide to get some new ones. Just out of curiosity, for when I do decide to get them, what would you suggest? Don't worry, I didn't mention them elsewhere. Thanks for asking. My folks also have a pair of cheap "Sentry" phones, but I'm thinking my Koss pair has better sound. I can't get anything but Dept. Store brand stuff around here. My brother has some Logitech USB phones that are probably the nicest we have, but I doubt he'll let me steal 'em.

Around here we call the Koss phones 'the clampers' because they really do clamp down hard and isolate very well. I dont know what model you have but they are usually good sounding. The Pro 4a's were studio standards in a lot of rooms,for a lot of years, just a bit heavy and could make your neck sore after long sessions.

The Koss are probably OK. I see WallyWord has Sony phones ranging from $14 - $130 in-store and Sennheiser available online. I'm not familiar with the Sentry headphones.

I'll bet the $14 pair of Sony headphones sound pretty good.

specifications">http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1957327specifications

Sony usually does a nice job with anything they make and I've been impressed with their headphones in the past.

You probably can't go wrong with anything by Sony, Sennheiser, or AKG, if you're mail-ordering them. But try the Koss first and see if they're OK.

You will have to decide if you want the to be closed-back, open-back, or semi-closed.

Closed means they let very little external noise in while you're listening to music. And sometimes more importantly, isolating you from the outside world the way they do means they don't let sound out either - sound which might be picked up by your microphone when you're recording.

Open back means the opposite. You aren't as isolated and others around you (including a hot mic) can hear the music leaking back out.

Semi-open / semi-closed is just what it sounds like.

But is it semi open or semi closed?

Mine are just like these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012S97XU/?tag=r06fa-20

As you can see, they weren't made to be monitors. They will work, but I don't think I really want to mix any more than I have to with them.

I'll probably buy some Sony or Sennheiser phones eventually. Or maybe some in-ear monitors. Or not. I have no desire to spend $100 or more for some extremly nice earbuds.

In ears suck, doesn't matter who makes them or how much they cost. They are for live monitoring when you don't want to be seen wearing cans.

I know, and I figured that about the quality. My question though, why are they so expensive? Why not use plain earbuds?

MF has a nice little deal going in which you spend money right now, and on April 3rd, they give you some money back. I'm thinking, order the interface and cable, which will give me the $150 minimum, and wait until April to order the rest. Which, I'll get $15 bucks off the second order. I can wait two weeks for $15. Anyway, my dad has a cheap mic or two I could play with while I'm getting the feel of the interface (and waiting on my 57).

"I know, and I figured that about the quality. My question though, why are they so expensive? Why not use plain earbuds?"

Some models seal within the ear giving greater attenuation to the outside. There is also _alot_ of tech that has come out of the hearing aid industry that goes into some. This stuff is very expensive because of how complex it is. Basically though, it's nothing like cans and not even in the same hemisphere as decent monitors. Bass is about big movements of air.

Thanks for that clarification. That does explain why they are so expensive, and why the musicians at my church use them. My church seems to have a Shure and Sennheiser preoccupation. Seems everything they have is one of those two brands.

Has anyone had experience with the Sennheiser HD 202's or is that too cheap to go?

I use three pairs for tracking. I wouldn't consider them top of the line by any means. They take a beating and are pretty loud. At that price point though, they all sound mediocre

save up some cash and get the Grado SR-60s for seventy bucks

If that's not an option, then buy them, but you will want to upgrade eventually...

Moneylessrecording wrote: Thanks for that clarification. That does explain why they are so expensive, and why the musicians at my church use them. My church seems to have a Shure and Sennheiser preoccupation. Seems everything they have is one of those two brands.

Having a "Shure and Sennheiser preoccupation" simply means that no matter what, the sound is going to be decent, easily manipulated and no surprises.

Many many many beginners in the recording business would do much better at achieving a quality sound if they adhered to that mantra.

Thanks for the advice on the phones, there.
At the main service at church, the music minister has a Sennheiser (I believe a wireless e835). Everyone else has what I believe to be wireless Shures. At the youth service on Sunday nights, I think everything is Shure.

Everything we have at our Church is either dire or broken. Wonder why I agree with Davedog's suggestion.

I'm actually hoping to start either playing for that youth service or get the training to be their sound guy. I'm gonna work in it. My only question is: where? But thanks for your help guys. I'm sure I'll have many questions about the actual recording when I get my stuff. I'll see you in a few weeks (or whenever I get the stuff and have time to start using it).

Well, I didn't get the equipment yet. As a teenager, I have an obviously fickle mind. I haven't given up on buying recording stuff completly, I'm just mulling over my priorities. I've got to decide what I want most, and get that first. I've narrowed between an acoustic-electric guitar, and the recording equipment. Unfortunatly, at the moment, I'm leaning towards the guitar. I'm afraid at the very least, the interface will have to wait. I'll see if I can get my friends PCI interface, and I'll just go from there. I'm not disregarding your advice, I'll still buy the 57 if I can get his interface. I'll just be using that until I get the cash for a decent interface. I thank you again for your patience with my weak teenage mind. I'll let you know about my final decision.

I believe I've decided to wait on buying the recording stuff. Before you start yelling, I'm still gonna buy that stuff. It'll just have to wait a little while. It's still on my MF wishlist.

8-)

Thanks for understanding there. I just didn't want everyone to think I wanted to waste their time. That's why I said I'm still gonna buy it. I just realized about a week ago that I'm also gonna have to buy a case, so even the mic is gonna have to wait. But, that means I'll probably end up with everything at the same time, so I'll be getting better recordings right off the bat. Thanks again for all your help. I'll probably be back within a year or two.

Come back any time. When you do, you'll be making better recordings than me, my soundblaster and £20 mics...

Thanks a lot. In the words of the immortal actor, I'll be back.

In the mean time. Practice.

Exactly what I was planning. And, one of the reasons for actually buying another guitar.

Vicious circle....

No kidding. No, I'll actually get more use out a guitar. I've been needing one that I won't have to worry about hurting too much.

Just in case anyone cares, I ordered my guitar yesterday, and it has shipped and should be here this week! Might mention it in the instrument forum at a future time. See ya later guys!