Recording equipment/software?

jmeva · 11-26-2018, 11:21 AM

Hi all. Let me start by admitting that I'm musically and technically challenged, so any help is truly appreciated. I'd like to get my husband some recording gear for Christmas, but have no idea what to look for or where to start.

He plays a few instruments in his spare time and does a few open nights and side gigs at local bars every few months, and has always talked about getting more into the song writing side. Spends a lot of time on the drums, and the guitar as a close second (acoustic & electric), plus vocals. We use Windows.. our computers and computer skills are basic and functional, just to give you an idea about our technical capabilities as far as software goes. This would be mostly just for fun so he wouldn't need anything super professional, but it is something he spends a lot of time doing so I don't want to go cheap either. So I'm hoping to find something practical that he would really enjoy playing around with. Been reading descriptions and reviews online for various stuff but there is SO much out there. I am completely clueless about what would be needed outside of a microphone, he's definitely the only musically talented one of our family. Thinking maybe a loop pedal too, if you have any recommendations for those.

Can anyone offer some more insight about what I should be looking for? Specific equipment, audio editor programs, recommended brands, technical info I need to have before buying to make sure everything is compatible, etc?

Thanks in advance!

Oriphiel · 11-26-2018, 11:30 AM

Are you ever comforted by the relative brevity of your forced existence in the heart of this eternally uncaring universe?

Plankton · 11-26-2018, 12:21 PM

This would be all he'd need, except for the mic's as you've stated. An excellent starter package that he can build upon. It's not real expensive, but not real cheap either:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...-scarlett-18i8

Plankton · 11-26-2018, 02:11 PM

...as for a looper, here's two decent ones:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...k-looper-pedal

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...y-looper-pedal

NickSchles · 02-24-2021, 07:02 AM

Depending on your budget, I'd go for a 2 or 4 channel interface (Focusrite do great ones).

Re mics, a bundle of Shure mics (something with SM57s and maybe a BETA 52A) are great cause they're pretty much industry standard, and not expensive... And very versatile!

Re computers, for me, you can't go wrong with Mac. GarageBand is free with Apple computers too, and they're solid.

So what I'm saying is,

1) plugging your Interface into a Mac is super easy
2) A 4 channel interface with a mic bundle lets you record a full drum set (you can get great sounds with 3 or 4 mics), you can use these mics to record vox and guitars too

Hope that helps!

11-26-2018, 11:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
jmeva Groupie Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 1	Recording equipment/software? Hi all. Let me start by admitting that I'm musically and technically challenged, so any help is truly appreciated. I'd like to get my husband some recording gear for Christmas, but have no idea what to look for or where to start. He plays a few instruments in his spare time and does a few open nights and side gigs at local bars every few months, and has always talked about getting more into the song writing side. Spends a lot of time on the drums, and the guitar as a close second (acoustic & electric), plus vocals. We use Windows.. our computers and computer skills are basic and functional, just to give you an idea about our technical capabilities as far as software goes. This would be mostly just for fun so he wouldn't need anything super professional, but it is something he spends a lot of time doing so I don't want to go cheap either. So I'm hoping to find something practical that he would really enjoy playing around with. Been reading descriptions and reviews online for various stuff but there is SO much out there. I am completely clueless about what would be needed outside of a microphone, he's definitely the only musically talented one of our family. Thinking maybe a loop pedal too, if you have any recommendations for those. Can anyone offer some more insight about what I should be looking for? Specific equipment, audio editor programs, recommended brands, technical info I need to have before buying to make sure everything is compatible, etc? Thanks in advance!

11-26-2018, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oriphiel Ask me how! Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: The States Posts: 5,275	Are you ever comforted by the relative brevity of your forced existence in the heart of this eternally uncaring universe? __________________ ---------------------- \|---Mic's Albums---\| ---------------------- ----------------------------- \|---Deafbox Industries---\| -----------------------------

11-26-2018, 12:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 6,140	This would be all he'd need, except for the mic's as you've stated. An excellent starter package that he can build upon. It's not real expensive, but not real cheap either: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...-scarlett-18i8 __________________ See location...

11-26-2018, 02:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 6,140	...as for a looper, here's two decent ones: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...k-looper-pedal https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...y-looper-pedal __________________ See location...

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02-24-2021, 07:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
NickSchles Groupie Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: London Posts: 2	Depending on your budget, I'd go for a 2 or 4 channel interface (Focusrite do great ones). Re mics, a bundle of Shure mics (something with SM57s and maybe a BETA 52A) are great cause they're pretty much industry standard, and not expensive... And very versatile! Re computers, for me, you can't go wrong with Mac. GarageBand is free with Apple computers too, and they're solid. So what I'm saying is, 1) plugging your Interface into a Mac is super easy 2) A 4 channel interface with a mic bundle lets you record a full drum set (you can get great sounds with 3 or 4 mics), you can use these mics to record vox and guitars too Hope that helps!