tanglewoodstu
09.05.05, 11:34 AM
Hi fellow Geeks,
So many of you have asked me about recording gear recently for you computer set-ups, I thought I write a brief guide of what's good at the moment.
Interfaces
M-Box
If you really want to go Pro Tools, you can now pick-up an original M-Box for a decent price, as Digidesign have just release the M-Box 2 - careful though as Digi are not very good at supporting their 'legacy' users. http://www.digidesign.com/products/mbox/
Those interested in M-Box 2: http://www.digidesign.com/products/mbox2/
Do remember that even thought the price for M-Box is higher, it includes the Pro Tools LE software and a pack of other free software/plug-ins.
Edirol
One interface I would look seriously at is the Edirol UA25. This thing is built like a tank, check it out: http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ua25.html
M-Audio
Or, if you're into M-Audio gear, check out the Fast Track, which is basically identical to the Edirol only M-Audios version: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro-main.html
Microphones
Dynamic
It's got the be the industry standard SM57 here. If you're wondering what the difference is, aside from the casing, the SM57 picks up from 40Hz to 15KHz and is tailored for instrument use, whereas the SM58 picks-up from 50Hz to 15KHz and is tailored for vocal.
Condenser
I must say, I have been very impressed with the studio projects mics. I have an SP B3 in the studio which performs better than mics five times it's price. The B1 would be a good place to start recording quality vocals and acoustic instruments on a tight budget: http://www.studioprojects.com/
*NOTE* Condenser mics need phantom power of +48v to charge the plates in the diaphragm (the bit that picks up sound) and power the head-amp inside the microphone - this power can usually be fed to it via the interface (all those three above have phantom powering capability). If you have a desk/interface already and are thinking of investing in a condenser mic, make sure it can power the mic before you part with your cash. If your unsure post here and I'll check the spec and tell you.
Accessories
Pop Filters
Yes, you can go out and blow $50/£30 on a great op filter, but an old metal coat hanger bent into a hoop with a stocking/pair of tights stretched over it works fine if you're on a really tight budget.
Don't pay $50/£30 for one though - Maplin & Radio Shack sell them for around $12/£8.
Stands
Don't forget stands. UK peeps - Studio Spares www.studiospares.com have them for £10+VAT. Again be aware of people charging over the odds - it's a stand, as long as it ... um ...stands then that's cool :)
Cables
By far the most important thing - ask a hi-fi buff or mastering engineer how important this is. Basically think of the cable as a length of hose pipe, you want the water (audio) to flow as freely as possibly, you need a tick cable with little resistance - this costs money. I always aim to spend at least a third of my budget on quality cabling. It's worth it, a quality cable will cost $50/£30 and last 20 to 30 times longer than a budget cable costing £3/$5 - do the math ;)
Cans (that heaphones to most peepz
Check out the Beyerdynamic DT231 for a decent, but budget pair. Also AKG and Audio Technica make some good models: Beyerdynamic Headphones (http://www.beyerdynamic.com/cms/Headphones.68.0.html)
So that's my quick capsule buying guide, of course there may be other things you want to add later, for example, all computer system based audio apps work better with two hard drives - one for audio and one for system.
Any Qs - fire away.
Cheers,
Stu :D
So many of you have asked me about recording gear recently for you computer set-ups, I thought I write a brief guide of what's good at the moment.
Interfaces
M-Box
If you really want to go Pro Tools, you can now pick-up an original M-Box for a decent price, as Digidesign have just release the M-Box 2 - careful though as Digi are not very good at supporting their 'legacy' users. http://www.digidesign.com/products/mbox/
Those interested in M-Box 2: http://www.digidesign.com/products/mbox2/
Do remember that even thought the price for M-Box is higher, it includes the Pro Tools LE software and a pack of other free software/plug-ins.
Edirol
One interface I would look seriously at is the Edirol UA25. This thing is built like a tank, check it out: http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ua25.html
M-Audio
Or, if you're into M-Audio gear, check out the Fast Track, which is basically identical to the Edirol only M-Audios version: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro-main.html
Microphones
Dynamic
It's got the be the industry standard SM57 here. If you're wondering what the difference is, aside from the casing, the SM57 picks up from 40Hz to 15KHz and is tailored for instrument use, whereas the SM58 picks-up from 50Hz to 15KHz and is tailored for vocal.
Condenser
I must say, I have been very impressed with the studio projects mics. I have an SP B3 in the studio which performs better than mics five times it's price. The B1 would be a good place to start recording quality vocals and acoustic instruments on a tight budget: http://www.studioprojects.com/
*NOTE* Condenser mics need phantom power of +48v to charge the plates in the diaphragm (the bit that picks up sound) and power the head-amp inside the microphone - this power can usually be fed to it via the interface (all those three above have phantom powering capability). If you have a desk/interface already and are thinking of investing in a condenser mic, make sure it can power the mic before you part with your cash. If your unsure post here and I'll check the spec and tell you.
Accessories
Pop Filters
Yes, you can go out and blow $50/£30 on a great op filter, but an old metal coat hanger bent into a hoop with a stocking/pair of tights stretched over it works fine if you're on a really tight budget.
Don't pay $50/£30 for one though - Maplin & Radio Shack sell them for around $12/£8.
Stands
Don't forget stands. UK peeps - Studio Spares www.studiospares.com have them for £10+VAT. Again be aware of people charging over the odds - it's a stand, as long as it ... um ...stands then that's cool :)
Cables
By far the most important thing - ask a hi-fi buff or mastering engineer how important this is. Basically think of the cable as a length of hose pipe, you want the water (audio) to flow as freely as possibly, you need a tick cable with little resistance - this costs money. I always aim to spend at least a third of my budget on quality cabling. It's worth it, a quality cable will cost $50/£30 and last 20 to 30 times longer than a budget cable costing £3/$5 - do the math ;)
Cans (that heaphones to most peepz
Check out the Beyerdynamic DT231 for a decent, but budget pair. Also AKG and Audio Technica make some good models: Beyerdynamic Headphones (http://www.beyerdynamic.com/cms/Headphones.68.0.html)
So that's my quick capsule buying guide, of course there may be other things you want to add later, for example, all computer system based audio apps work better with two hard drives - one for audio and one for system.
Any Qs - fire away.
Cheers,
Stu :D