Where to start with home recording? (Software, equipment. etc.)
 

Hello! I am wondering if anyone can help me figure out what I would need to start recording vocals and guitar. I am not trying to make #1 Hits lol...just trying to take my hobby and record it. So I am wondering if someone can point me in the right direction as to what kind of software, recording devices, etc. that I would need. Probably a software that isn't to complicated because I have the slightest clue about recording software. Any help is greatly appreciated! :^)

-Sean

It depends on what sound quality you'e trying to get. Personally, I'm a fan or garage/lo-fi music, so I use an 8-track tape recorder. If you're looking for something user friendly, you could get yourself a 4-track recorder. It's much easier to use than a computer software, and you'll get a nice, grainy lo-fi sound. If you only want to record guitar and vocals, all you would need is a guitar and a mic.

If you're looking to just start out working on a computer; and have fun making music experimenting; I'd strongly recommend the following.

[Software]
Acoustica Mixcraft
This is what I use intermediately - I'm beginning to take slow baby steps towards a full time career with music. This program has an small-medium learning curve if you know the basics of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). And above all else, you can easily obtain high quality, and damn near PROFESSIONAL quality, just with a few tweaks and patience - for A THIRD of what every other company wants. It's the diamond in the ruff, when it comes to music production/recording!


Of course, no DAW is complete without extra plugins. For vocals I've found...
Spit-fish (A de-esser, which tones down the sharp SSSSSSSSSS from vocals) to be quite handy.

I can't think of other plugins I use on most projects, I'll post them later on.

As far as hardware goes, don't bother spending $1, 000 for recording crap and sound treatment. No need. Just save up and grab this amazing USB interface called the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. You can plug in a microphone and a guitar, or two guitars if you wish, bass and electric(acoustic).

It's $150, and worth every penny!


If you have a little extra spending money, I'd recommend the studio bundle so you get a mic and headset as well.


I just got the interface, and ordered an Audio Technica AT2020 microphone.

But if you're not looking for professional sound, you can just use a Rockband, Guitar Hero or Singstar microphone. They're all the same - a logitech USB microphone branded. It gets a bit scratchy and is pretty sensitive but none the less a good starter mic! It'll definitely help you learn some engineering techniques which will help you out when/if you'd like to get more serious with your music.


With just the 2i2, Mixcraft, and stealing a friends Rockband mic (or buying one for $20) you've spent less than what you would on a new guitar and you can record good quality songs onto your PC and upload them immediately after you've finished recording.

If you need links, send me a message and I'll send them. I cannot post links yet because I'm a little noob :p: Also, I'll send you a song I did with a Karaoke Revolution mic so you get an idea of what you can get out of something you wouldn't expect to perform as such.


Hope this helps you out!

Sincerely,
B James.

This combo is what I've been using for about 2 months now and I love it.

Unbelievably great bang for the buck.

There's a small amount of latency you might have to deal with but Mixcraft makes it super easy to fix.

I have a program called mixpad. I don't know how much it costs since I got it through my uncle. But it works excellent. Mixcraft is great too. The industry standard is the best to work with if you know what you're doing.

The easiest remedy for this issue: Move one side of the headset off so you can hear yourself. For recording guitars, I've noticed next to no latency.



I checked the prices.
Until the end of September mixpad with a 30% discount is $99.99 (Reg: $139.00)
The standard edition of Mixcraft 7 is $89.95 | Pro Studio Edition: $164.95

I mute the guitar track while recording and monitor it by using the headphone out of the Focusrite plugged into a clean amp.

I used to have a Yamaha keyboard that I could play - badly - but it got destroyed so now I'm thinking of getting this
Casio CTK-6200 Portable Keyboard

I know, I know! Casio, right? But so few of the synths in my price range have a sequencer, never mind a 16-track one, and I've read good reviews. Anyway, I'm open to advice on whether or not I should get this, and also on what audio software I should be looking at, preferably cheap or free, as I won't have a whole lot of cash to spread around after buying the keyboard. Note that I would not subject anyone to my voice, so no mike needed, and there will be no other instruments, just the synth. Also, I will just be messing with ambient/experimental instrumental stuff, so I'm not totally serious about making music, as I know I'm not good enough, but I'd like to see what I can do with a relatively minimal (and inexpensive) set up, so any advice from you musos (other than "don't bother Trollheart you're crap!") will be very welcome.

Thanks guys.

Recording
 

If you are looking for a budget setup, I would go with the focusrite 2i2 & Reaper for your DAW. You are also going to want a decent amp sim program (if you want easy bass and guitar recording) such as TSE X50, amplitube, kontact guitar rig, or a similar vst fx.