need advice for soundcard/ monitors/ midi controller

[di0nysus]

Dear Softies,

Pardon my limited knowledge, I'd like to set up a basic home recording/playing/sequecning/listening to mp3/ etc set up.

For soundcards:
I've heard of creative EMU, m-audio 2496, presonus, maya4 etc... I'm pretty clueless between them, I just need a few inputs for mic/guitar etc. I think a PCI card would have less 'lag' than say USB or firewire etc? For the software, anything that can get a wide range of instruments, especially reaslistic piano and drums would be great.

Monitors:
really clueless over here, want something that mp3s/CDs/movies will sound good.

Midicontroller:
Guess I wldn't need very fanciful knobs/sliders etc, touch is more important than effects. 61/88 keys would be preferred.

Total budget: $2k

Thanks guys!
PJ
81885650

 

[soundsation]

You can probably give Sinamex a try. They have a lot of M-Audio stuff you can check out - USB/Firewire interfaces, PCI cards, MIDI keyboards and controllers. They also sell KRK and Alesis monitors.

 

[Cheez]

For a relatively low cost 88 midi controller with OK touch, I would recommend the CME UF8.

For a budget of 2K, it will be extremely difficult to get all you want including software. If piano and drums are your focus, the best price for software will probably be Garritan's Jazz and Big Band library. It has 3 drum kits and a Steinway B piano. Of course, it has the usual basses (upright, fretless and with fret) and the usual brasses, woodwinds and saxophones - in jazz style. No strings though. $249 USD is a good price for a library.

 

[seeprompt]

I agree with Cheez that your budget is rather tight/low for an adequate recording set-up (for home or otherwise).

As for most modern audio interface (sound card), the latency is usually reflected as low or negligible so you should not be able to notice the lag. My personal preference is to have the interface connected via FireWire, or at the very least by High-Speed USB 2.0. This gives you the option of mobility and lowers your chances of electronic interference from your computer CPU (you know that sound in the background of cheap/early add on soundcards).

If you can, try to get a good pair of speakers for your mix down (like Genelec 8020). If not possible try to save up for a pair of good headphones, like from Sony or Sennheiser that cost around $100 odd. These could make a good entry product for your monitoring.

Despite having my hearing damaged from loud concerts, clubbing and Walkman, I can still detect sound of MIDI. Especially if it tries to emulate acoustic piano, strings or drums. Only the expensive ones sounds more "realistic" to me, and they can single-handedly blow your current budget. You can download some free VST or AU from the Internet to experiment with. (Can someone recommend some good links here?) Alternatively you may want to invest in a good sequencer, which can cost you about $1,000.

Happy recording!

 

[di0nysus]

Thanks all for response!

I did go to Sinamex, their 2496 PCI soundcard is within my budget.
But there's no sequencer to it and the Protools full version would cost a bomb.


Sound card + VST
I'm considering PreSonus FW which is $699 coupled with Cubase Studio4 or TAPCO USB @ $499 also coupled with Cubase Studio4.
I was told that the Cubase S4 has the full Halion series, didn't really test much, the piano sounds didn't impress me though.
A friend of mine is considering Ivory or The Grand 2 and I'll test out fully once she gets the VST.

I'll search for Garritan's Jazz & Big Band.

Monitors,
For monitors, I tried some Genelec (duno wat model, but ~$800/unit),Blue Sky's EXO 2.1, and also sonosphere, KRK5, etc. I haven't found any that I like.
I heard some Yamaha monitors which I liked several yrs ago, wooden blocky kind of monitors and the guy told me it was ~$800 a pair.
But I can't rem the model now!

Controller,
CME - May I ask which shop in SG carry this brand? A search online didn't show any distributors in SG.
I haven't tried many, I don't really know what to expect of a 'good touch' or how to test a controller...any tips? I do hope to get the 'feel' of ~80% real piano.....possible?

Budget
I guess it is flexible, but to spend more than a few thousand to play with sequencing and recording
while my guitar gear cost <$2k in total doesn't quite make sense. I'm also considering buying new guitars.
Hai...$$$

 

[persentio]

I have a couple of stuff that Im trying to sell... If you dont mind I can offer you all of them at a budget price (say $1500). I sent you a PM do let me know if you are interested.