Skip to main content

Hey ya'll I am new to learning how to record with my computer. I have a PreSonus Firebox, the downloaded Cubase LE program, also Audacity, a few mics, an Alesis iRig program with usb cable for my bass, and also a cool recorder called a Boss BR600. I also have a 3 tb portable hard drive. I am at a total loss on how to make the interface work, latency issues, terminology, etc. I don't have a great deal of budget to work with. Is there a free website that offers a starter course for a guy like me? Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I just want to get to a point where I can make a decent demo of my band and also anything I write.

Topic Tags

Comments

pcrecord Fri, 08/01/2014 - 03:33

Hi Boyd,

First of, you have 3 recording tools that are not really built to work together and not adapted to record a entire band.
You have to decide to choose 1 tool you're gonna use or go buy a new one.

The answer is up to you and what you want to accomplish. Most band recording imply mics on every instruments and with what you have you don't have enough mic preamp/inputs to record a full band.
You have the alternative to record up to 3 instrument at the time.
With the fire box, you have 2 mic/instrument inputs and 2 line inputs. Mic/instrument inputs let you put a mic, a bass or a guitar and the line ins at the back could be for a keyboard or other line level source (electronic drum...)

So you could pick your combination to start the song and add the others step by step.
Where you are limitted is with an acoustic drum. 2 Mic even if limited could be ok if you choose wisely where to place them. The first thing to try is one for the bass drum and one Overhead to pick the rest of the kit.

Or, you can go with a new interface with more inputs:
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-18i20 for 8mic preamps
OR a Allen&Heath console with built in audio interface like the ZED series who could also be used as mixing bord for live shows.

OR SAVE MONEY AND A LOT OF ENERGY AND GO TO A PROFESSIONAL STUDIO
if you are well rehearsed, in 5 hours you could have a professional recording of 3 songs

Want any more options ? ;)

BOYD Fri, 08/01/2014 - 22:57

pcrecord, post: 417959, member: 46460 wrote: Hi Boyd,

First of, you have 3 recording tools that are not really built to work together and not adapted to record a entire band.
You have to decide to choose 1 tool you're gonna use or go buy a new one.

The answer is up to you and what you want to accomplish. Most band recording imply mics on every instruments and with what you have you don't have enough mic preamp/inputs to record a full band.
You have the alternative to record up to 3 instrument at the time.
With the fire box, you have 2 mic/instrument inputs and 2 line inputs. Mic/instrument inputs let you put a mic, a bass or a guitar and the line ins at the back could be for a keyboard or other line level source (electronic drum...)

So you could pick your combination to start the song and add the others step by step.
Where you are limitted is with an acoustic drum. 2 Mic even if limited could be ok if you choose wisely where to place them. The first thing to try is one for the bass drum and one Overhead to pick the rest of the kit.

Or, you can go with a new interface with more inputs:
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-18i20 for 8mic preamps
OR a Allen&Heath console with built in audio interface like the ZED series who could also be used as mixing bord for live shows.

OR SAVE MONEY AND A LOT OF ENERGY AND GO TO A PROFESSIONAL STUDIO
if you are well rehearsed, in 5 hours you could have a professional recording of 3 songs

Want any more options ? ;)

Well it seems I may have my work cut out for me. I appreciate the honesty. I am just interested in recording and the basics for now. Doubt if I will record my band unless it would be live ambient sessions. I will leave the real work up to the true studio engineers who are passionate about their work.