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Message
Recording PCs, DAWs, etc... what should my build include?
Posted on 5/30/12 at 2:48 pm
Posted on 5/30/12 at 2:48 pm
I'm in the market for a new PC, and would like to be able to do some moderate recording of live audio. I'm not looking for a pro studio rig, just something that will handle a 4 track mixer with decent enough latency to layer tracks.
To be more specific, I'd like to be able to record a single instrument, say a drumset, then play back through a monitor and record guitar, bass, keys, etc. over that track. I've used USB adapters and the latency has made this impossible (the tracks never line up and it's a complete PITA to get anything to sound decent).
Seems like USB 2.0/3.0 is getting to be pretty standard, so what hardware should I be on the lookout for? Assume I know nothing, and TIA.
To be more specific, I'd like to be able to record a single instrument, say a drumset, then play back through a monitor and record guitar, bass, keys, etc. over that track. I've used USB adapters and the latency has made this impossible (the tracks never line up and it's a complete PITA to get anything to sound decent).
Seems like USB 2.0/3.0 is getting to be pretty standard, so what hardware should I be on the lookout for? Assume I know nothing, and TIA.
3
Posted on 5/30/12 at 10:45 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
Macbook Pro brah
Posted on 5/31/12 at 9:03 am to TheDrunkenTigah
Most all pc's made today can handle 4 tracks of audio - easily. Macs are nice - but they're also expensive. And if you're spending an extra 1k on a computer (which has nothing to do with the quality of sound) you're not spending it on mics, instruments, room treatment, monitors, etc.
Latency shouldn't really be that much of an issue . I believe I can set mine below 5ms without much problem.
What's your budget? And what do you need? Monitors, mics, etc.? And is this just for goofing off - or are you putting a little effort into it (might like others to hear it).
Latency shouldn't really be that much of an issue . I believe I can set mine below 5ms without much problem.
What's your budget? And what do you need? Monitors, mics, etc.? And is this just for goofing off - or are you putting a little effort into it (might like others to hear it).
This post was edited on 5/31/12 at 9:05 am
Posted on 5/31/12 at 9:31 am to a want
quote:
What's your budget? And what do you need? Monitors, mics, etc.? And is this just for goofing off - or are you putting a little effort into it (might like others to hear it).
I want to stay inside $1200. Mac is out, as it will double as a work computer.
Basically, I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck. I'm not trying to record demos just yet, but that level of quality is the eventual goal. I said 4 track, but I might bump up to 8 or 16 at some point, so what hardware can I absolutely not skimp on?
As far as monitors and mics, I plan on just adding as I go. Like I said in the OP, this will start out just layering tracks, and will get more complicated as I learn. I just want to make sure I'm getting the right PC to build off of.
Posted on 5/31/12 at 9:40 am to TheDrunkenTigah
This was recorded on a $900 PC from Costco in a spare bedroom. The drums were recorded in a "real" studio but everything else was recorded in a home studio. Good equipment (mic pres, converters, etc) were used - but the computer doesn't really matter.
As far as interfaces: They're all pretty much the same at the sub $400 price point. They all have similar converters and mic pres. I'd just check into the compatibility/drivers for your particular machine - make sure it will work. If I had a $1200 budget, I'd spend $7-800 on the machine. $100 on Reaper software (like pro tools but cheaper and just as good). $200 on an interface and $100 on an SM57. You still need monitors (I forgot about those) - but that should get you going.
Good luck.
As far as interfaces: They're all pretty much the same at the sub $400 price point. They all have similar converters and mic pres. I'd just check into the compatibility/drivers for your particular machine - make sure it will work. If I had a $1200 budget, I'd spend $7-800 on the machine. $100 on Reaper software (like pro tools but cheaper and just as good). $200 on an interface and $100 on an SM57. You still need monitors (I forgot about those) - but that should get you going.
Good luck.
This post was edited on 5/31/12 at 9:42 am
Posted on 5/31/12 at 9:50 am to a want
quote:
You still need monitors (I forgot about those) - but that should get you going.
I'll start with just phones for now, after that whats the best setup?
Posted on 5/31/12 at 10:04 am to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
I'll start with just phones for now, after that whats the best setup?
Not sure what you mean as far as "setup"?
Posted on 5/31/12 at 12:07 pm to a want
quote:
Not sure what you mean as far as "setup"?
I know I can run one set of phones through the interface, but it may get to the point that I want two or three pairs to room all the instruments off. Will I eventually need a PA or just a fancier interface?
Posted on 5/31/12 at 12:58 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
Ah - ok.
To run multiple headphones from the interface you just need an interface with a "line level" out. I imagine most have this. Connect this to a headphone amplifier - which will power all your headphones for you (but most interfaces power 1 set of headphones for you out of the box - no additional amp needed).
An interface like this:
Note the line outputs
and connect to something like this:
This is a pretty cheap headphone amp - the go anywhere from $30 to thousands.
Also note this interface has 2 inputs so you can only record 2 sources simultaneously. You can overdub all you want - but there are only 2 inputs (2 mics at once). Interfaces come in all shapes and sizes with more inputs/more outputs as needed.
Oh and when you only have 2 inputs - USB is fine. When you have more than 4 simultaneous inputs is when you start running into problems with latency - and may need to look at firewire interfaces.
Also (and finally) I'd reccomend going the used route. I bet there are TONS of cheap (but good) interfaces on ebay.
To run multiple headphones from the interface you just need an interface with a "line level" out. I imagine most have this. Connect this to a headphone amplifier - which will power all your headphones for you (but most interfaces power 1 set of headphones for you out of the box - no additional amp needed).
An interface like this:
Note the line outputs
and connect to something like this:
This is a pretty cheap headphone amp - the go anywhere from $30 to thousands.
Also note this interface has 2 inputs so you can only record 2 sources simultaneously. You can overdub all you want - but there are only 2 inputs (2 mics at once). Interfaces come in all shapes and sizes with more inputs/more outputs as needed.
Oh and when you only have 2 inputs - USB is fine. When you have more than 4 simultaneous inputs is when you start running into problems with latency - and may need to look at firewire interfaces.
Also (and finally) I'd reccomend going the used route. I bet there are TONS of cheap (but good) interfaces on ebay.
Posted on 5/31/12 at 1:34 pm to a want
Thanks man. I knew a good bit about interfaces but it got fuzzy adding extra mics, and I knew they'd need some sort of extra power source.
I'll probably just go with a 2 channel to begin with, then upgrade if I ever mic up any drums.
I'll probably just go with a 2 channel to begin with, then upgrade if I ever mic up any drums.
Posted on 5/31/12 at 5:20 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
Yeah I'd wait on drums. They're expensive to properly mic and finicky as hell.
Posted on 6/1/12 at 12:02 am to Srbtiger06
quote:
Yeah I'd wait on drums. They're expensive to properly mic and finicky as hell.
I got the first BFD drum module several years ago and I still use it, mostly in conjunction with a MIDI editor in Pro Tools or Ableton Live. I think it sounds good and it is absolutely zero hassle.
Posted on 6/1/12 at 8:39 am to TheDrunkenTigah
I'd buy a used 002 and a used apogee duet ($700)
Then I'd "find" pro tools 10 for PC ($0)
I'd use current PC, maybe get solid state hard drive and max RAM out. ($300)
Shure SM7B ($200)
Then I'd "find" pro tools 10 for PC ($0)
I'd use current PC, maybe get solid state hard drive and max RAM out. ($300)
Shure SM7B ($200)
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