Simple studio from scratch - advice

A

asdavies

New member
Hi,

I would like to setup a basic studio from scratch. I play the guitar primarily, write songs. My intention is to get a new laptop, audio interface, microphones, stand etc.

Basically, I would like a suggestion of a combination that works well in your experience. I will not be buying a Apple however - so has to be a windows solution.

Daw software
Laptop tips
Drum machine software
Firewire/vs usb

I will primarily write songs and play/record solo. Occasionally I may record two people simultaneously. I do not need to be mobile although my studio space is cramped. I can't stand latency. I would like to start on a DAW software that keeps my options open as I advance but is easy to use initially. I intend to get a MIDI keyboard too.

I guess if someone has a hardware combination that is recent and works for them and is similar to my needs above, I would be interested to see the list. I don't mind spending money for quality and a good initial reliable set up that will last me a few years. I don't want to buy more than I need however.

Cheers
 
1) http://tinyurl.com/diyrecording
2) budget ?
3) audio interface : m-audio fast track / presonus audiobox,firebox / Zoom H4n / line6 toneport pod studio etc. these audio interfaces have around 2 inputs.
4) laptop : just take note whether you're going firewire or USB. USB will be a plus for bus power. firewire 4pin no bus power.
5) microphones : http://www.soft.com.sg/forum/gear-sound/194686-review-audio-technica-at2020.html
6) DAW Software : www.reaper.fm , some audio interfaces comes with Cubase LE free.
7) drum machine software - your DAW should have some drum sampler plugins which can be manipulated via midi.
8) Firewire/vs usb : ppl are gonna tell you firewire is faster bla bla, as a guy who's gone through PCI , Firewire, USB. they're pretty much even. although there are rumours about how USB interfaces take up "ram" or something like that.
9) midi keyboard : any midi controller will do. I'd get a Korg K61P if I had a good deal.currently i'm using Creative Prodikeys for small stuff and Yamaha AN1X. Midi options you may either get an audio interface with midi I/O or what I do is I have a Maudio Midisport Uno. midi>usb cable. then you can get something like Zoom H4n.

gd luck.
 
Thanks v much guys.

My laptop has a intel centrino 2, 2.54mhz, with 4gb ram (not upgradeable) with Vista. I purchased it back in 2009. I was open to buying a new laptop as I don't mind using the present one as a secondary laptop. As for budget - it's not so much of an issue - I guess my budget is not to buy more than I need - e.g. 8 inputs when I will never use it etc. My main thing is not to buy something that I wish I hadn't. Basically, I don't need to buy equipment that fits what I have now as I don't have much to begin with. I had been using a portable Boss studio previously, hence avoiding the complexity of computer recording.

As for DAW, I have been mucking around with Mixcraft and Reaper with trial versions. I guess I was wondering whether I should bother learning some industry standard application rather than something that is easy to use initially but limiting subsequently.

Anyway, I'm researching Blueprintstudio's suggestions. Might paste a list of potential acquisitions later.
 
If you're still comfortable with portable interfaces, then zoom h4n would be your best bet, cos the preamps are kickass and onboard guitar amp modelling. and the mics are really good, this was something (before h4n) I did the recording purely on the H4. MTV done by someone else.

however, you understand portable mixing is very limited. it's recommended that you learn to use something like reaper even if you eventually work with experienced producers, you know you're working with the wrong guy if the engineer seems to have lesser idea of what he's doing than you do. mixing is another different ballgame so i won't go there.

here's to add on , the list of music shops that you can find out more about the brands
www.citymusic.com.sg - line6 / zoom
www.luthermusic.com - maudio / presonus
www.hungbros.com - variety of brands.

gd luck!
 
Add sinamex - www.sinamex.com - distributor for many brand. They show number of midi control/keyboards.

Have a tour around all these four store and be thick face to ask question and not buying anything.

I know you know do not like Apple, but they built one of the robust laptop for Windows out there consistently.
 
Asdavies: thanks for providing such detailed and specific information for us to read clearly as I always say I'm just here to help you make a better decision and not to tell you how to buy nor try foist change in your mind.

Do check out the Classifieds Ads section of SOFT if you can do with limited warranty support.

Lastly though should have been first, welcome to SOFT!
 
This is more of a further question rather than an answer...
Wouldn't it be more straight forward, for a "simple" studio, to go with something like a Zoom R24, which would cover the recorder, audio interface, DAW, and the drum machine? It would be cheaper as well.
 
Last edited:
Zoom R16 or R24 has no contender for this area of function in the price range. Someone will tell you why.

For drum machine, you may wanna buy a midi controller with 12 or 16 touch sensitive pad. If you don't have a keyboard, then you can look for keyboard with pad. For drum sample/machine player, actually a lot of variates. You wanna start when I recommend acoustics drum sample from Toontrack. Some affordable to expensive pack. There are is Ommisphere from SpectralSonics. With these two type of drum sample, you covered a wide range of genre. So far no question about their quality, but they can be resource intensive. There is another alternative is Native Instrument's Kontakt 4.2 or Komplete 7. It is most advance sampler at the moment. There are many 3rd party developer using this Kontakt engine. You may consider that as it is a general sampler. You can expand your sound library and add many favor to your music and your production as a whole. Highly recommended you are wanna do more than just general midi sound. Personally, I only use their player version as I only buy a few sound library. Komplete 7 is a bundle of many sampler(including Kontakt 4.2) and sound library. You may wanna check that out in Native Instrument website.
 
blueprintstudios said:
If you're still comfortable with portable interfaces, then zoom h4n would be your best bet, cos the preamps are kickass and onboard guitar amp modelling. and the mics are really good, this was something (before h4n) I did the recording purely on the H4. MTV done by someone else.

however, you understand portable mixing is very limited. it's recommended that you learn to use something like reaper even if you eventually work with experienced producers, you know you're working with the wrong guy if the engineer seems to have lesser idea of what he's doing than you do. mixing is another different ballgame so i won't go there.

here's to add on , the list of music shops that you can find out more about the brands
www.citymusic.com.sg - line6 / zoom
www.luthermusic.com - maudio / presonus
www.hungbros.com - variety of brands.

gd luck!
Click to expand...

hey man does the zoom h4n really have onboard guitar amp modelling? sorry to side track but how do you access that?
 
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