Home studio

[EloHiR ElEnDIl]

I didn't know in wich category to post But anyway I posted it here..
How can I start creating my home studio?
What are "the must have"things that I should need?
How Can I make it sound Isolated so in my home nobody listen?
In general What Do I need?

[ktriton]

What do you plan on recording? And for what kind of music?

[EloHiR ElEnDIl]

many genres different stlyes.I don't know.just give me general ideas I don't know.Do the change because of the genres?

[ktriton]

Yep. Just like different pickups on guitars or different amps give off different flavors, the same goes for mics, cables, etc. Also I asked what you're going to be recording as in what instruments you would be recording.

For a basic and pretty universal home studio setup all you really need is a computer with a DAW, a mixer, and instruments. If you're going to be recording acoustic instuments (guitar, drums, vocals, etc.) you should invest in mics and mic stands. If you're JUST using a keyboard, you can even bypass buying a mixer by buying a Y 1/4-1/8 cable and a MIDI interface (for a cheap solution, Midisport's Uno hasn't failed me ever. You can also go the route of an audio/MIDI interface and get something like Midiman's Quattro. It's got some nice features and there are definitely better ones out there, but I found the Quattro to be pretty solid).

As far as DAW, mixer, and mic recommendations--the DAW is really just a matter of preference. I've tried Cakewalk, Sonar, and even Ableton, and I prefer Cubase to all of them. Each has its strong points and weak points, but they're all essentially the same (although Traktion I'm hearing is pretty innovative). If you want to do more A/V work (film scoring, etc.) I'd say go the route of Soundforge or Pro Tools. If you have a Mac, DP is great and VERY solid (and you can use it in conjunction with Peak--another quality program).

As for a mixer, I have a few brands and I've found Mackie's to be the most solid all around. My personal favorite is the Spirit Soundstation, but mine is tempermental, so I wouldn't suggest it if you don't have much experience mixing. If you don't plan to record a live bounce--as in a whole band at one time, you'd probably save money buying something on the smaller side--a four or eight-track would do the trick and leave some extra tracks in case you ever DO choose to try multiple parts.

And mics. Hmm..well this is where I'd need to know more information about what type of room you're setting your studio up in, what instruments you'll be recording, if your environment is noisy or not, etc. As a general rule of thumb, SM 57's and 58's work well for most anything in and out of the studio.

EDIT: If you already knew all this though, then you're probably thinking more along the lines of a larger mixing board and outbord effects processors and whatnot--which I have limited experience with. I could probably suggest a few things if you need it, but I rely mainly on VSTs and plugins for outboard processing...so...

[EloHiR ElEnDIl]

And If I buy a Mixer how Do I connect it to a PC and what should a PC have soundcards of what?And with a mixer I don't need track recorders or something like that?And for the outputs or the mixer whan can I use?I'll record a normal band(keys,vocals,drums,guitar,bass) so but try to tell me all Don't exclude nothing because I almost know nothing!

[ktriton]

And If I buy a Mixer how Do I connect it to a PC and what should a PC have soundcards of what?

Right, so like I said before, there are two main direct connections between a mixer and computer. The first is using a y cable that goes from your mixer's main out (1/4 inch) to your soundcard's in (if you're not using a high-end card, it'll be a stereo 1/8 inch insert. You should be able to get that wire at anything like Guitar Center or Radio Shack or whatnot.

The other way is going into an audio interface. In this case you'd take the main outs of your mixer and plug them into each channel of the interface and then connect the interface by USB or Firewire to your computer.

As for the soundcard, the run-of-the-mill Soundblaster live...works. Barely. But for serious recording, you should at least up it to an Audigy or whatnot. The higher end soundcard you get, the better the recording quality will be and then lower your latency (delay between the source and the computer) will be.

And with a mixer I don't need track recorders or something like that?And for the outputs or the mixer whan can I use?

I'm not sure I understand the question. The setup I'm suggesting would be

instrument --> mixer --> (audio interface -->) computer. Once it's in your computer, your audio editing program will be able to record it. Hence you won't need hard disk recorders or ADATs or anything like that. Those are relics of a not-to-distant past, my friend (although a lot of people still use that stuff for the warmth you get out of them). These days the home studio is mainly computer-powered. Also, you can use your normal computer speakers to monitor your recordings. You don't have to use the speaker jacks on the mixer unless you really want to. Using your computer speakers also gives you easy access to headphones without the hassle of separate headphone faders on mixers or source ifx anything like that.

I'll record a normal band(keys,vocals,drums,guitar,bass) so but try to tell me all Don't exclude nothing because I almost know nothing!

Okay, so then you'll definitely want to go with at least a 12-track, if not the home-studio standard 16-track mixer. It might seems like a lot of tracks, but remember, you might want to mic the drums with 6 or even 7 different closed set mics and then on top of that throw a couple of dynamics in the back of the room for ambiance or something. It depends on what type of micing you generally use for your instruments. If you use the normal tri-mic setup (two overheads and a kick sensor) then you might be able to get away with the 12, but if you like to experiment, I'd definitely say go for the 16 (if not more).

As for the TYPE of mics you would use, there are SO many possibilities. And I am really tired right now :P

If nobody chimes in, I'll give you my mic schpeal tommorow :)

[EloHiR ElEnDIl]

Now I got it.So For the PC I'd need the daw and USB interface and a audigy soundcard!And with my pc speaker they sound when I'm recording?for example If a play in my keyboard will I hear it while I'm playing?And what speakers should I have for the PC?

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=4915
Is this one ok?

[EloHiR ElEnDIl]

anyone else??:S

THANKS!

[jeebustrain]

Now I got it.So For the PC I'd need the daw and USB interface and a audigy soundcard!And with my pc speaker they sound when I'm recording?for example If a play in my keyboard will I hear it while I'm playing?And what speakers should I have for the PC?

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=4915
Is this one ok?


if you want to record multichannel, the Audigy is useless. Despite what anyone will tell you, it's nothing more than a dressed up gaming card. The same thing goes for their new card, the X-Fi. It'll only record one stereo source (hell, it might even be mono) at a time. A multichannel audio interface is the only way to go. If you can find an M-Audio Delta 1010, that would be a perfect basic start. I've had one for a few years on my desktop and it works great. It's got 8 analog ins (+2 digital) and outs. Plus, it'll record and playback in true 24/96, unlike the Audigy. I haven't used a Creative card in a few years, so I can't comment on the ASIO latency, but if you want to use

If you've got Firewire on your PC, you also might want to consider something like the M-Audio Firewire 1814. It's a little bit more expensive, but it'll give you a TON of ins and outs. I use the 410 (it's little brother) on my laptop rig and it's been super stable. The preamps are super quiet, and about every piece of audio software supports it, mac or PC. Plus, all if the Ins/Outs are balanced 1/4" connectors, which will allow you to use TRS (grounded) cables, which are less noisy and higher fidelity.

[EloHiR ElEnDIl]

And with those M-audios interfaces I won't need a mixer right?and the PCI thing it's tha basic soundcard or I would need another soundcard?I mean is the principal soundcard?So I won't need another one or what?

[ZuL]

With the M-audio Firewire interfaces you do not need any other soundcard but that doesnt mean you should throw away the current soundcard you're using. lol

You do not need a mixer as well.