Low Budget Home Recording Advice

[db.]

Well, I have an iMac and am wondering the what's the best way to record bass, guitar, and vocals. I'll probably use Garage Band because I'm a cheap bastage.

 

Is direct the best way? If so, is M-Audio a good choice? There are so many products on the market I'm confused. I have good mics, cables, etc. too. I'm looking for a good bass sound; I know that's always a tough one to record.

 

Any tips would be appreciated.

[collinwho]

If you are going to be mic-ing things, something like this would be your cheapest and easiest route. You could then use a DI with that to record direct as well.

 

Of course, if you are looking for really good sound, you are going to have to start investing. Which isn't to say that this approach would sound bad, just that you aren't going to replicate an expensive studio sound on the cheap.

[Crescent Seven]

M-Audio is the best budget converter around, IMO. They're easy to use, and I think they come bundled with Cubase.

 

I think you'll get the most consistent bass recordings by going direct to the computer.

C7

[theglove]

I don't know what your budget is. But I have the Alesis Multimix 8 USB. Comes with Cubase and IMO works really well. If you have firewire, I would get that firewire version.

I spent $200, which isn't that much when recording.

[garytees]

Hey great! Be a cheap-ass like me. I have an old eMac and plug directly in with a mono cable that has 1/4" for the guitar and 1/8" for the Mac. You have to record in mono though. I use a cheap Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic100 and a Behringer XM8500 microphone. Here's a short sample. I used a built-in drum loop, Squier Affinity precision bass, Epiphone Special ll Les Paul and the Behringer XM8500 microphone/Tube Ultragain Mic100 combination for vocals and harp, It was sent to iTunes as a final mix.

[db.]

Thanks for the info, guys. I think I'll pop $200 or so and get something semi-decent for demos.

 

It's good to know some usable software comes with some of the available hardware.

[Xuf]

I also have an Imac and use a M Audio Firewire Solo ($200), a great firewire audio interface if you only need 1 or 2 inputs at a time... and as far as recording software goes, i still use Audacity, which is free. it has its limitations but for the price i aint complainin!

 

i have a Shure SM 57( $90) for Mic'ing my 4x12 (guitar) and a Marshall MXL V57M condensor mic for acoustic guitar, vocals, etc and it was only like $60

 

I also have a Rugged 80gig hard drive ($200?) which daisy chains offa the Firewire Solo and i keep all my songs on there. And after i get some extra dough i can upgrade to a 'real' recording software program like Logic (or Logic Express which is only $300)

 

Hope this helps!

[db.]

I also have an Imac and use a M Audio Firewire Solo ($200), a great firewire audio interface if you only need 1 or 2 inputs at a time... and as far as recording software goes, i still use Audacity, which is free. it has its limitations but for the price i aint complainin! i have a Shure SM 57( $90) for Mic'ing my 4x12 (guitar) and a Marshall MXL V57M condensor mic for acoustic guitar, vocals, etc and it was only like $60 I also have a Rugged 80gig hard drive ($200?) which daisy chains offa the Firewire Solo and i keep all my songs on there. And after i get some extra dough i can upgrade to a 'real' recording software program like Logic (or Logic Express which is only $300) Hope this helps!

 

Definitely helps. M-Audio sounds like the way to go for me right now.

 

Cheers!

[nAmzrTakin]

Well if you can't afford a full HP pro tools set up, and let's face it who could? You wan't cheap and easy? Go Cakewalk or Guitar pro.

[lonerstoenr]

I've got an E-mu 0202 (USB interface) and it's fantastic and easy to use!

[PaulyWally]

You could also consider a decent USB large diaphragm condenser mic.

[Jugghaid]

M-Box. Protools LE. Sounds killer and has a lot of good plug-ins. Find a used on on the bay with the factory bundle.