Audio interface in 150$ to record vocals and bass guitar+setting up a home studio

Chaojon · 04-14-2013, 07:50 PM

I have NO idea what to choose, I think I'll go with the
Roland TRI-CAPTURE
ART USB Dual Tube Pre
Alesis iO4 4-Channel 24-Bit
or the
Alesis i02 Express

but I REALLY have no idea, I sing death metal, which means I am going to growl and scream, so if thats a factor I just wanted to get that out of the way

about the studio -
I have the AKG D5 microphone and the Audio Technica AD700 headphones.
do I need more than an audio interface? how important is a mixer? a keyboard? I will be using a keyboard in my music but I can program it using CUBASE, because I am really low on budget.
currently I think I need, in order to complete the home recording studio, an interface, microphone stand and a pop filter, do you think I need anything else? and what interface do you recommend?
my budget is around 150$ not counting the mic stand and the pop filter, maybe if a mixer is extremely important I will be able to get another 50 or maximum a 100$ bucks for it (but that would mean I would lose an anthrax show. its the first time they come to my country so this is only a last resort)
and about cables, I have a regular guitar cable (PL to PL I think) and I have a female XLR to a PL.
which cables do I need in order to record using my interface or mixer if needed?

Thanks

stevesonthebay · 05-01-2013, 08:21 AM

i have just set up a basic studio and i am still learning what to get. i have a lexicon alpha interface into my computer and an 8 channel Yamaha mixer into my interface. i can plug all my mics, guitars, keyboard etc into my mixer which will be picked up by my interface then into my audio software. i am also using cubase which you can use with most interfaces. if you don't have a mixer that's OK but you need an interface with a few inlets for mics and instruments otherwise you will need to get a mixer or pre amp. make sure the interface has a pre amp with phantom power for a condenser mic. at the moment i am using dynamic mics which are OK but you have to turn the gain up a lot to get line level signal. a condenser mic has a cardioid pickup pattern and is more sensitive for vocals and is more clearer. i bought a cheap interface from cash converters and it came with cubase and i have seen better ones there which are 1/2 the cost new. Ive heard that focusrite 212, tascam and presonus are good. i think most interfaces are basically the same and obviously the more you pay the better the quality. another thing to consider is that the interface has a digital/midi input so you can plug a keyboard in and then use it as a sequencer to play all the vts instruments in cubase. im still learning about this as i am currently setting it up. i think you can also plug the keyboard into your pc and then add the device in cubase. make sure you change the settings on your computer to the interface in sounds. you also have to change the settings in cubase under devices to add your interface and keyboard.
i have an analog mixer and i can get a certain amount of effect out of it but apart from allowing me to add more mics etc the mixer in cubase is more than sufficient for adding in any effects. i am sure there are digital mixers out there that will do it all and effects units and sequencers. i think a lot of the software nowadays has all the effects and sequencing capabilities you need and is a lot cheaper.

stevesonthebay · 05-04-2013, 07:41 AM

yeah they have a focusrite scarlet 212 at my local cash converters pretty cheap. my interface has no pre amp and midi connections. so i think i will go with the focusrite with your recommendation.

04-14-2013, 07:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chaojon Groupie Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 15	Audio interface in 150$ to record vocals and bass guitar+setting up a home studio I have NO idea what to choose, I think I'll go with the Roland TRI-CAPTURE ART USB Dual Tube Pre Alesis iO4 4-Channel 24-Bit or the Alesis i02 Express but I REALLY have no idea, I sing death metal, which means I am going to growl and scream, so if thats a factor I just wanted to get that out of the way about the studio - I have the AKG D5 microphone and the Audio Technica AD700 headphones. do I need more than an audio interface? how important is a mixer? a keyboard? I will be using a keyboard in my music but I can program it using CUBASE, because I am really low on budget. currently I think I need, in order to complete the home recording studio, an interface, microphone stand and a pop filter, do you think I need anything else? and what interface do you recommend? my budget is around 150$ not counting the mic stand and the pop filter, maybe if a mixer is extremely important I will be able to get another 50 or maximum a 100$ bucks for it (but that would mean I would lose an anthrax show. its the first time they come to my country so this is only a last resort) and about cables, I have a regular guitar cable (PL to PL I think) and I have a female XLR to a PL. which cables do I need in order to record using my interface or mixer if needed? Thanks

05-01-2013, 08:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
stevesonthebay Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 66	i have just set up a basic studio and i am still learning what to get. i have a lexicon alpha interface into my computer and an 8 channel Yamaha mixer into my interface. i can plug all my mics, guitars, keyboard etc into my mixer which will be picked up by my interface then into my audio software. i am also using cubase which you can use with most interfaces. if you don't have a mixer that's OK but you need an interface with a few inlets for mics and instruments otherwise you will need to get a mixer or pre amp. make sure the interface has a pre amp with phantom power for a condenser mic. at the moment i am using dynamic mics which are OK but you have to turn the gain up a lot to get line level signal. a condenser mic has a cardioid pickup pattern and is more sensitive for vocals and is more clearer. i bought a cheap interface from cash converters and it came with cubase and i have seen better ones there which are 1/2 the cost new. Ive heard that focusrite 212, tascam and presonus are good. i think most interfaces are basically the same and obviously the more you pay the better the quality. another thing to consider is that the interface has a digital/midi input so you can plug a keyboard in and then use it as a sequencer to play all the vts instruments in cubase. im still learning about this as i am currently setting it up. i think you can also plug the keyboard into your pc and then add the device in cubase. make sure you change the settings on your computer to the interface in sounds. you also have to change the settings in cubase under devices to add your interface and keyboard. i have an analog mixer and i can get a certain amount of effect out of it but apart from allowing me to add more mics etc the mixer in cubase is more than sufficient for adding in any effects. i am sure there are digital mixers out there that will do it all and effects units and sequencers. i think a lot of the software nowadays has all the effects and sequencing capabilities you need and is a lot cheaper. __________________ Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us. Last edited by stevesonthebay; 05-01-2013 at 08:32 AM.

05-04-2013, 07:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
stevesonthebay Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 66	yeah they have a focusrite scarlet 212 at my local cash converters pretty cheap. my interface has no pre amp and midi connections. so i think i will go with the focusrite with your recommendation. __________________ Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.