Looking to put a home studio together for cheap: any thoughts?

[StopTheMorans]

Basically, I record with my band now, but I'll be moving this year, and I'm looking to be able to record everything myself. What kind of PC will I need, what should I look for in a cheap keyboard(i want to lay down some piano tracks), and what software programs include a decent drum machine-type capability? thanks in advance for any input:)

[Robb]

1. Get a used 8- or 16-track

...and bag the computer for recording. It may sound luddite-ish, but you'll be happier faster with that, and a drum machine/keyboard combo that lives in its own case. :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. I agree -- better to have a stand alone recorder

than a computer unless you can dedicate the computer exclusively to the studio.

[Enraged_Ape]

7. Hey, I record using my PC and it sounds great

I've got a (relatively) cheap ($290) Yamaha keyboard with MIDI, a Mackie mixer ($300), a Shure SM-57 microphone ($50), and...believe it or not...a Soundblaster Live! sound card (Next to nothing). I use a MidiMan USB Midi interface ($40) to connect the PC to the computer, because I've never had much success using the MIDI-Game Port on a sound card. I use Cakewalk ($50) as my sequencing software. All of this runs trouble-free, and I get great results.

If you explore recording with your PC, here's a great book that provides a nice overview of the topic:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0789726866/ref=pd_sim_books_1/102-6046904-0704141?v=glance&s=books

One caveat: If you decide to do audio on the PC, you'll need a pretty decent sized (though not unreasonable) hard drive--at least 20 gig--and at least 300 megs of RAM. Those are about the specs of my machine, and I've never had to "dedicate" my PC to only audio.

[StopTheMorans]

4. i'd thought about that, but i like the capability of being

able to burn the stuff directly to cd (i'm not really that computer-savvy at all, my bassist always records everything for my band). and, it's a lot easier to edit stuff on a comp. then it is on an 8 or 16 track i think, but i've only watched people do it.

[BigMcLargehuge]

3. pick up a Mac

the iLife bundle with Garageband ($50), a USB keyboard (Mac will be selling one for $100 in February).

I'd go with the 1.8 Gig Dual Processor G5.

[StopTheMorans]

5. Thanks! how much do those go for?

any idea? I've heard a lot of good things about them for recording, but have no real knowledge of them...

[Nostradammit]

6. How cheap is cheap?

Buy as much computer as you can get - with as much RAM as you can get and then get a cheap soundcard like the SoundBlaster Live! (if you only need to record two tracks at a time) or a Midiman Delta 66 (mo $, better sound, 6 ins 6 outs), and Cakewalk software and go to town.

But be prepared to be frustrated for a while. It's always a steep learning curve and there are always, always bugs to work out.

Mac is much more reliable and simpler to set up, but pricier.

How much you willing to spend, I can better answer your ? if you tell me.


check out this place:

http://www.harmony-central.com/

[tinrobot]

10. Don't get a cheap sound card!

Spend an extra one or two hundred bucks and get one of the external USB sound boxes. They're a lot quieter than PCI cards, some support 24 bit audio, some are multi channel, and some even have little mixers and preamps. M-Audio, Tascam, and Digidesign offer these. I would choose the software first, then get a box that supports it.

Cakewalk is good. Personally, I use Cubase SX. Works like a charm.

That said, by the time you buy the computer, software and all the other accesories, you could get a cheap 8-16 track hard disk recorder with a built-in mixer and effects. You can pick those up for about a grand and they're pretty much idiot proof.

[jpgray]

8. Get an MAudio digital input for your PC and get Cakewalk-type software

Cheapest way to get unlimited multitrack recording with digital quality.

[Intelsucks]

9. I'm not a musician, but I am an audiophile. Get some acoustic treatment

for your walls. Unfortunately, this stuff can be very expensive, and sometimes it isn't very pleasant to look at.

[emulatorloo]

11. Pick up Steinberg Studio Case Software and M-Audio Audiophile Sound Card

Studio Case is MIDI sequencer/audio recorder software - has a built in drum machine, some great virtual intruments (great piano and bass guitar and guitarist too) 48 audio tracks and some other fun things.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/bundles/studio_case/index.php?sid=0

Check requirements for computer you will need.

I have seen on ebay new for less than 200.00

M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 sounds great and has good built in MIDI interface.

Tell me what you want to spend for a keyboard and what you want to do with it and I will give you recommendation.

My music Mac is less of a hassle than my music PC, but maybe it will be different for you. That is not to say my PC doesn't work, it just requires more handholding.

PS I am so happy to be in the Lounge and out of Primary 2004!

On edit add more stuff for you to buy.