Starter recording studio basic needs?

[rbird]

What would be a good, CHEAP, starter set of equipment to set up a basic studio?

I have the room, Ableton software and computer. Also have a decent set of Altec Lansing speakers for play back.

Looking for an input device, preferably usb for up to 8 players. Plus, a mike with stand.

Just want to start recording on an amateur basis with friends who come over and jam.
Most of us have instruments with jacks but a central mike in the room will help accustics and singing.

Trying to keep in under $500 for all right now.

Any thoughts?

[swinginmandolins]

Up until recently I was using my 4 track cassette multitrack as a mixer and going out from that into the line in on my computer. Recently I ungraded to a Mackie 8 input mixer and go out of that into a USB device that was marketed for lp converstion http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=BEHRUCA202
Of course you can get the usb units that would do the same thing, but I needed a mixer as well for live situations. You can also get usb mixers as well. The main reason I bought the usb interface was due to latency issues with the new recording software I started using. It improved my sound quality as well, so that is a good thing. I got a deal on my mixer, so even with the usb interface that portion was under $200.

[Richard Morrison]

I haven't recorded any of my mandolin playing because in my head i'm awesome...and i'm avoiding reality.:mandosmiley:

But i've recorded alot of my geetar pickin' with this:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Lexicon-Omega-Studio-Bundle-105633762-i1474830.gc

It doesn't get the greatest reviews and i'm not sure why, I've never had any problems. It's very user friendly, has 8 inputs (i've never used more than 2),and best of all it's cheap! I don't know if you have a Guitar Center near you, but when i went in to buy it, it was on sale $50 less than the website. I think you can only record 4 tracks at once though...guess you'll have to play it twice.

[foldedpath]

Computer interfaces with 8 inputs or more used to be expensive, but the market is moving fast and it's now getting more affordable.

That Lexicon Omega bundle mentioned above doesn't quite fit the requirements here, at least not without additional outboard gear. They call it an 8-input interface, but as far as I can tell, two of those are SP/DIF for digital input, so you actually have just the 2 mic preamp inputs and 4 line inputs, plus what looks like a high impedance guitar input that piggybacks on one of the line input channels. You won't want to plug instrument pickups into those line inputs, unless there's a preamp on the instrument or somewhere else in the chain.

When looking at multi-channel computer interfaces like this, always check to see whether the 1/4" jack inputs are set up as line inputs for hooking up things like keyboards or outboard preamps, or as high impedance inputs for directly handling instrument pickups. It makes a difference, especially if you're starting out with the idea of recording most of your instruments "direct" from the pickups, without using microphones. Line inputs used with passive pickups will require additional outboard gear like DI boxes or preamps for good tone.

Here's one idea: There has been a price drop recently on the Tascam US-1641 interface (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/US1641/) which has 8 mic (or line/instrument) inputs and USB 2.0 connection to the computer. This more of a true 8-channel interface. It's now $300 USD which is pretty amazing for what it does (take this with a grain of salt, I haven't heard it and I'm going on specs here). With this Tascam unit, you could expand later with additional microphones if you wanted to, without having to buy a mixer or additional outboard mic preamps. The mic preamps probably aren't outstanding at this price, but those could be upgraded later with outboard preamps if needed. It also has a nice feature that can switch the 1/4" jack inputs to higher "guitar" impedance, which is a better match for recording pickups direct if you don't have a preamp or direct box. I notice this unit seems to be in short supply, but it looks ideal for the application.

There may be other "true 8-channel analog" options out there that I'm not aware of, and you'll get better quality in the A/D converters and mic preamps with the higher-end multichannel interfaces from RME, Motu, etc., but this is just the only one I'm aware of that would fit a low budget like this (especially with 8 mic preamps!).

With that $300 Tascam interface, you could get an inexpensive large diaphragm condenser mic for vocals, like maybe theAudio-Technica AT2035 (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT2035/) for $150 USD. Add $50 for a mic stand, and you'd be at that $500 budget point with the ability to expand later to additional microphones if you wanted to.

[mandroid]

Several companies offer a record to memory card 2 channel portables,
the card reader to USB devises are under $20.....

Don't need to buy here.. but here's a bunch , one under $100. on pg 1 [ M'sF house brand]

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/recording/portable-field-recorders

Farther back I see a 1/4-20 to 5/8ths mount to stick recorders of the sort onto a mic stand.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-ProTrack-Adaptor?sku=580884
quarter-twenty is a camera tripod standard, so If you have one of those that will do.

[Richard Morrison]

Wow foldedpath, you really know your stuff. Thanks for taking the time to explain all that. I do run my guitar through a Digitech Multi-effects Processor with the output volume turned way down, and with my acoustic, i just record through a mic.

[randygwatkins]

you might look at the Korg D888, it sounds like a good fit for you, and in addition it's a stand-alone device which you can take anywhere to record your group...

http://www.korg.com/product.aspx?pd=257

I have one I would sell if your interested...

[Chunky But Funky]

I would keep my eye out for one of these used: MOTU 8pre (http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/8pre/)

I bought one of these for my son along with a Mac Mini a couple of years ago and he has been recording anywhere and everywhere with this rig. I bought a Sonnet MacCuff (http://www.sonnettech.com/PRODUCT/maccuffmini.html) for the Mini (to rackmount it for him) and he has a 3 space SKB rack with everything pre-wired. He is set to record anywhere in 5 mins.

As Foldedpath said, Audio Technica mics are ALOT of bang for the buck.

Doug

[Jim Nollman]

Not sure that I agree about using Ableton Live as your main recording software. That software is optimized for sample creation, synching tracks, and triggering multiple samples during a live performance, which explains its name. I had a friend once, who used AL for recording. His process was way too labor intensive for what he was seeking. For straightforward recording on a computer, I'd go with any of the several cheapo solutions like CuBase lite or a few others of that ilk. There are free ones.

To keep it cheap, I would consider avoiding the computer interface route, since then you have to deal with all the tradeoffs that go with relying on inexpensive hardware. For example, like waiting for it to boot up every time you want to record. Or input and output cabling all crammed into one tiny little box. If it was me, I'd go check out EBay, and bid on a used Roland or Korg multitrack digital mixer/recorder. make sure it has a big enough hard drive for ten songs or so, or you'll be kicking yourself when you've run out of storage. Also, with a dedicated recorder, you have everything in one easy to understand mixer box. Put it under your arm and bring it to record your show. Or bring it to the piano players house when he wants to use his main piano.

I have a digital recording studio based on Protools 8 and Mac desktop. With that kind of system, The cost of continually upgrading gear never does subside (it's like a boat, that way) and you need a dedicated room to make it work at all. Spend your money on mikes, and do include one high quality large condenser mike. Finding a high quality condenser at doable cost, might include a search for something like the baby bottle by Blue. Or check out a stereo Audiotechnica condenser, so two singers can face one another.