setting up a small computer based studio at home

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Hi.

I've been dabbling with music for a little while now, and the PC i have
has effectively died so i'm planning to get a new one and invest in
some new equipment but i need some advice on my best options.

The PC will be something in the region of a 3ghz P4, with 1gb ram. I
already have a USB keyboard, and have been happily using this with some
free software and plugins (computer muzys, packaged with a UK music
magazine) to produce tracks. I'm not planning to upgrade to any more
advanced software at this point but what i want to do now is record my
vocals and acoustic guitar and load these into my tracks.

My main questions:

1) what sort of mic should i invest in? I don't plan to record the
vocals and guitar simultaneously.

2) what is my best option in terms of a soundcard/interface in order to
record these? Do i need a preamp, or a mixer, or is there one small
piece of kit i can buy that will do all this for me?

my budget isnt lavish. ideally i'd like to get a mic and whatever i
need in addition to record from that onto the computer for under
£200uk.

3) Up until now I've used pc speakers to monitor as i mix. I realise
this probably isnt ideal. Any recommendations for a low budget solution
to improve on that?

any help would be greatly appreciated

Matt

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<matthewcr@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1107452847.194705.125290@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

> any help would be greatly appreciated

http://groups.google.com/

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John LeBlanc
Houston, TX

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

>1) what sort of mic should i invest in? I don't plan to record the
>vocals and guitar simultaneously.
>
>2) what is my best option in terms of a soundcard/interface in order to
>record these? Do i need a preamp, or a mixer, or is there one small
>piece of kit i can buy that will do all this for me?

At that price, the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 pci is a no-brainer. Well
under £100. Then a small mixer (probably Behringer) for about the
same or a little more. This will give you mic inputs with phantom
power. Buy one specifically designed for home recording. You need
to listen to already-recorded tracks while monitoring and recording a
new track, maybe switchable between speakers and headphones. There
are mixers designed with routing specifically suited to this task.
They are WELL worth the extra few pennies.

>
>my budget isnt lavish. ideally i'd like to get a mic and whatever i
>need in addition to record from that onto the computer for under
>£200uk.

You haven't left much budget for a mic. Try one of the new breed of
cheap large-diaphragm Chinese condenser mics if you want a flattering
vocal sound. A small-diaphragm condenser mic is more accurate and
maybe ultimately more use.

>
>3) Up until now I've used pc speakers to monitor as i mix. I realise
>this probably isnt ideal. Any recommendations for a low budget solution
>to improve on that?


Your present hi-fi system?

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