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I've been recording for about 5 years now. I used a Roland VS-880 for my first project and soon there after discovered Pro Tools. I did a few projects on a borrowed Digi001 and swore by Pro Tools for the next year. Later, I discovered Cubase SX and love it. A am still using it today. Most of what I do are simple projects for people that are wanting to demo there song. I've had several job offers to record full bands, but had to decline them due to lack of equipment/computer. I've also done some jingle work and have a few jobs that are pending. I play keyboard and most of the music I record is played from it and recorded via midi and I use various VSTs from there. I usually add a couple of live instruments to give it a more realistic feel... live acoustic or electric usually brings it to life.
I've been getting by for quite some time now on just a standard Dell computer and stock sound card but have been battling the “clicks and pops” and other problems that come with not having a decent recording computer. It is now time to upgrade. I’m hoping to spend in the ballpark of $5000 on a computer and hardware (not including mics). I would like to be able to track a live drum set, so I need to be set up with a minimum of 8 inputs… preferably 12. I’ve been checking out the “Creation Station” computers through Sweetwater but I’m clueless weather or not that is the way to go. I also don’t know what size computer to get for my needs. I don’t plan on tracking more than 10-12 tracks at a time. That’ll only be when I’m tracking drums. From then on, it’ll mostly be 1 or 2 tracks at a time. As far as I/O interfaces… at one point I was looking at the Tascam FW-1884, but I’d never get more than 8 channels at once, so I figure that’s not the best way to go. I’ve looked at some MOTU stuff, but I’m somewhat ignorant as to what I’d need… hence coming here asking for your advise. I've also been looking pretty seriously at the Mackie Onyx 1200F. Does anyone have any advise on that?
Anyway, I plan on using dual 19” (or larger) flat panel monitors. I haven’t decided anything about reference monitors but I believe I may be going with powered monitors unless anyone advises otherwise. Can anyone help me in this venture? I’d be grateful to receive some advice. Thanks!
Dale
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If you know about computers you could build your own. It's not
If you know about computers you could build your own. It's not as difficult as you may think but, you do need to be technically inclined...as they say ;)
You do NOT need near the 5K for a very good PC workstation. Look for an AMD 64 X2 4400 OR 4800 *ONLY* with 2-4gb of ram. That will do it to start.
If you build it yourself it will be around $1,100-1,400 (depending on some options you might choose, motherboards, cases, etc...).
Add a couple of internal DRIVES for your music (in addition to the system drive).
I built TWO systems with part bought from Newegg and they have been working great.
Look also at special sales. For example: I was able to buy an ACER desktop with AMD 64 x3 3800, 1gb RAM, TWO DVD drives (one DBL layer DVDRW), Firewrie and USB 2.0, a Multi-format card reader and a 250gb SATA drive (with a cool, tool-less case and room for 4 SATA drives on the mobo) for the ridiculous price of $379.00+$35.00 shipping (including WIN XP), refurbished from Acer (with a 90 day warranty). I use it for Internet and Digital imaging but, it could almost be an excellen PRO DAW machine (excpet the 3800 AMD has a 512 L2 cache instead of the 1mbx2 of the 4400 and 4800 chips).
I would get an RME card and a dedicated (outboard) A/D/A converter. If you get a Mytek A/D converter you can start with that (you will NOT have D/A conversion) - Later, as you need it, you could add another Mytek with D/A conversion. They are 1/2 rack units.
You would then, mix inside Cubase and monitor through the RME card. The card will also give ZERO latency monitoring and all your plugin ill play nicely with it.
Of course, you'll need some mic pres, compressors, etc...
Hello Dale................ As far as wanting to buy a new DA
Hello Dale................
As far as wanting to buy a new DAW. Check out what the guys have over at ADK ProAudio. They built DAW's, thats were i got my frist one years ago. My son still use's it today. With Dual Delta 1010's.
They also sell interface's(soundcards)....... 5 grand will get you a killer set up for a homestudio. DAW and interface!
Peace..........Scoobie
P.S. RME fireface is a great choice for the homestudio!