Help with a basic sound studio set up at home
Discussion
My brother is very much into his music and I am keen to encourage this. Last Christmas, on my recomendation he got a Macbook to start him off, and a microphone. What he needs now (I think) is a mixer and a fairly user friendly music production program. A mate has the full Logic set up but I am concerned that without being taught it it would be pointless to have it just yet. Maybe I'm wrong, you tell me.
Can anyone recomend anything? Cheaper the better really, as it is his first set up, it would just be nice to get him creating his own beats (hip hop) and being able to rhyme over them. He has access to a proper studio for the final mixdown or whatever you call it.
Thanks guys,
Joe
Can anyone recomend anything? Cheaper the better really, as it is his first set up, it would just be nice to get him creating his own beats (hip hop) and being able to rhyme over them. He has access to a proper studio for the final mixdown or whatever you call it.
Thanks guys,
Joe
Probably don't need a mixer for what he is planning on doing. Software can handle that.
Look for a firewire interface with a couple of mic' inputs and monitor control.
All the pro-sumer audio companies do them and they are all similar quality.
Decide on budget and see what suits best.
Logic is a good option, you could purchase it at a mac store and arrange for some lesson time there.
Look for a firewire interface with a couple of mic' inputs and monitor control.
All the pro-sumer audio companies do them and they are all similar quality.
Decide on budget and see what suits best.
Logic is a good option, you could purchase it at a mac store and arrange for some lesson time there.
I've got a ProSonus Firebox firewire interface for my Mac - it's a really good quality, compact affordable option. Definitely recommend that, especially as it has hardware monitoring capabilities.
Don't need a mixer - I just have mic -> firebox -> Mac -> Logic Express . Really happy with that setup. IMO the full version of Logic is overkill for most non-pros. The only additional software I've bought is Izotope Ozone for mastering work.
Don't need a mixer - I just have mic -> firebox -> Mac -> Logic Express . Really happy with that setup. IMO the full version of Logic is overkill for most non-pros. The only additional software I've bought is Izotope Ozone for mastering work.
Edited by JimCross on Saturday 5th December 13:59
I have a home studio set up but using a PC. I use Cubase as the VST (virtual studio technology) software, and i think you can get it for a Mac too. I find it is very good indeed, and with a few helpful pointers from some PHers, i was able to learn it very quickly. I also had to invest in a decent soundcard and a mic/guitar pre-amp
Jimcross (or anyone else), what is that box called, I know the brand you have is a ProSonus Firebox, but whats it's generic name, if you will.
Also, what are the must have's for such a thing? And avoids for that matter.
Again, thanks for the help.
Edited to add, is there any difference between Logic Express 9 and Logic Express 9 Upgrade? Surely it should be a downloaded software update OR Logic Express 10?
It's like trying to figure out the BMW model number to engine size.
Oh, er and anyone know what to look for in a decent microphone??
The list is seeming endless, cheers ya'll.
Also, what are the must have's for such a thing? And avoids for that matter.
Again, thanks for the help.
Edited to add, is there any difference between Logic Express 9 and Logic Express 9 Upgrade? Surely it should be a downloaded software update OR Logic Express 10?
It's like trying to figure out the BMW model number to engine size.
Oh, er and anyone know what to look for in a decent microphone??
The list is seeming endless, cheers ya'll.
Edited by Lil' Joe on Saturday 5th December 19:53
Mics
It depends what you want it for. If you are on a tight budget then a good all rounder is the Shure SM58 - it'll record most stuff reasonably well and is a good stage mic too.
One on fleebay at £35 as I type: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shure-SM58-Vocal-Microphone_...
If you want to record stuff well then you'll need a reference quality mic - I use AKG 414s which are very good for voice and acoustic instruments, but they are a bit pricey (£475). If you have loads of cash the google Neumann - but stil down and hold your breath as we are talking big bucks.
I should point out that you need to make sure that you have some way of connecting a 1/4" mono jack plug to your system to use any of these Mics.
I use a mac in my studio, and as important as speed of processor is RAM. The more the better, as you will probably end up using a lot of 'soft synths' and samples, all of which can eat memory.
It depends what you want it for. If you are on a tight budget then a good all rounder is the Shure SM58 - it'll record most stuff reasonably well and is a good stage mic too.
One on fleebay at £35 as I type: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shure-SM58-Vocal-Microphone_...
If you want to record stuff well then you'll need a reference quality mic - I use AKG 414s which are very good for voice and acoustic instruments, but they are a bit pricey (£475). If you have loads of cash the google Neumann - but stil down and hold your breath as we are talking big bucks.
I should point out that you need to make sure that you have some way of connecting a 1/4" mono jack plug to your system to use any of these Mics.
I use a mac in my studio, and as important as speed of processor is RAM. The more the better, as you will probably end up using a lot of 'soft synths' and samples, all of which can eat memory.
Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 6th December 08:28
Was just about to post a thread on this very subject, spooky. In the spirit of a brief opportunist hijack which I hope the OP doesn't mind;
I'm not looking for super high quality, but reasonable for my company's videos, youtube kind of stuff). Is an anti-pop screen useful too? Using a mac if it makes any difference.
Will be keeping an eye on this thread as I'm interested in building my own little micro-studio up a little more as I get better at stuff and it's all new to me
GetCarter said:
If you are on a tight budget then a good all rounder is the Shure SM58 - it'll record most stuff reasonably well and is a good stage mic too.
Will the Shure mic be suited to narration / voice overlay? I was told to have a look at Samson too.I'm not looking for super high quality, but reasonable for my company's videos, youtube kind of stuff). Is an anti-pop screen useful too? Using a mac if it makes any difference.
Will be keeping an eye on this thread as I'm interested in building my own little micro-studio up a little more as I get better at stuff and it's all new to me
Stu R said:
Was just about to post a thread on this very subject, spooky. In the spirit of a brief opportunist hijack which I hope the OP doesn't mind;
I'm not looking for super high quality, but reasonable for my company's videos, youtube kind of stuff). Is an anti-pop screen useful too? Using a mac if it makes any difference.
Will be keeping an eye on this thread as I'm interested in building my own little micro-studio up a little more as I get better at stuff and it's all new to me
It'll be fine for Voice Over (I've used one before, for exactly that) - pop shields are good but they are piss easy to make (tissue and coat hanger!) if you don't want to spend the extra money. It's how you get the quarter inch jack or XLR into the back of a Mac that you need to look into (If you buy a mic like this make sure you know which lead to buy). There are various audio interfaces/soundcards available... speak to anyone at www.dv247.com for advice. I've used them for 25 years and they know what they are talking about.GetCarter said:
If you are on a tight budget then a good all rounder is the Shure SM58 - it'll record most stuff reasonably well and is a good stage mic too.
Will the Shure mic be suited to narration / voice overlay? I was told to have a look at Samson too.I'm not looking for super high quality, but reasonable for my company's videos, youtube kind of stuff). Is an anti-pop screen useful too? Using a mac if it makes any difference.
Will be keeping an eye on this thread as I'm interested in building my own little micro-studio up a little more as I get better at stuff and it's all new to me
Or maybe someone with a similar set - up will pitch in here.
The aforementioned prosonus looks like just the ticket.AKG 414, the best there is for the money IMO. I've been home recording since 1979, my mics are Akg 414, (just sold a 414 on ebay last week for £460 without shock mount) Sennheiser 421 instruments/drums again, best there is but the mic that still impresses to this day for budget money, is the AKG 451 B shotgun mic, it captures almost every frequency, I use two for stereo and they're not even a matched pair. These would be my choice for narration pointing down towards the mouth at around 15" away, and away from breath (no need for pop shield)
Not sure how you get an XLR into the back of a mac, as I'm a dinosaur, still using Tascam tsr 16 Tape and a Yamaha AW4416. If you can, avoid using cheap mics, the SM58 is the standard for live work but not for recording in a studio, if you have good recording gear and the right room acoustics and use s
t mics it defeats the object, a Bentley with a 2CV engine!
Not sure how you get an XLR into the back of a mac, as I'm a dinosaur, still using Tascam tsr 16 Tape and a Yamaha AW4416. If you can, avoid using cheap mics, the SM58 is the standard for live work but not for recording in a studio, if you have good recording gear and the right room acoustics and use s
t mics it defeats the object, a Bentley with a 2CV engine!Edited by Mr Sea on Sunday 6th December 09:38
Whilst 414s of days gone by are wonerful things I really couldn't recommend the newer ones, no matter what price.
As for Neumann, nothing from the last 10 years has begun to interest me and very overpriced for what they are now.
Have a look at Rode. Pretty cheap prices but still pretty good.
Your best bet is to try and find a shop that sells a variety of different interfaces and see what suits best.
An option worth considering is a Pro Tools Mbox. Interface and software package for a reasonable cost.
As for Neumann, nothing from the last 10 years has begun to interest me and very overpriced for what they are now.
Have a look at Rode. Pretty cheap prices but still pretty good.
Your best bet is to try and find a shop that sells a variety of different interfaces and see what suits best.
An option worth considering is a Pro Tools Mbox. Interface and software package for a reasonable cost.
Lil' Joe said:
Jimcross, that sounds like exactly what he needs. I'll look into it. Out of interest, do you have a MacPro, as he has Macbook C2D 2ghz 2GB RAM. That'll run Logic Express wouldn't it?
Mine's a Macbook Pro, 2.4Ghz Core Duo with 4GB RAM, but he should be fine as long as he's not going mad with hundreds of tracks and plugins.The generic name for the box is just a FireWire audio interface
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