What's your home recording setup?

[StevieC]

I have an old TASCAM Pocketstudio 5' date=' but I've moved on to recording with my PC. I use a Lexicon Lambda interface and Sony software -- just upgraded to ACID Pro 7 and Sound Forge 9 -- the learning curve is steep! I have a Line 6 PODxt and a bunch of stomp boxes and plug-ins. No mikes, so far all of my recording is direct.[/quote']

 

I record in my condo so I've decided not to go with the KRK monitors I was going to buy and instead bought some Audio-Technica Studiophones. I know mixing with headphones isn't the best option, but I have no other options. Even with great monitors my space will not give me the environment I would need.

[Lithaerien]

I've got a Macbook Pro with Logic Studio and a Presonus Firepod. The outputs lead to a QSC RMX amp and a pair of Carvin 15" floor monitors. For mics I have a Shure SM58' date=' an AKG Perception 200 and a pair of AKG D8000s. [/quote']

 

I have a Macbook Pro too, using the Input to plug in my Guitar and Amp to record through GarageBand. But that's for a single instrument. I was wondering how I would be able to record a band practice. The Band has a PA System/Mixer or whatever it is called that I thought maybe all instruments could be plugged into then from the Mixer to the Laptop, not sure how that would work though.

 

I also wanted to know if Logic Studio is worth it? What's it have that GarageBand doesn't?

[nolongermike@gibson]

I LOVE the 737sp!

 

Korg D1600 16-track' date=' Avalon VT-737sp, Studio Project C3 mic, Yamaha S90ES 88-key, Kramer Bass, Ovation Acoustic, Epiphone Les Paul Custom, WaveLab for mastering, DR770 drum machine, Nuendo 2.0, Various computers (laptop and Desktop), RME sound card w/b-box.

 

Make my living with computers, but prefer a dedicated machine for recording as in the D1600. [/quote']

[HolyDread]

I have a question since i'm trying to setup my own home studio. Basically i just need to know if i'm going to be hooking this all up correctly before i decide to buy it all and realize it doesn't work like i want it to.

 

I was going to purchase this for my interface and to have some more powerful software than garageband (since i'm on a Mac):

http://www.music123.com/Lexicon-Omega-Desktop-Recording-Studio-245505-i1126257.Music123

 

Then i was going to buy a separate mixer to plug into the interface so that i can record drums and a guitar simultaneously. I was going to purchase this mixer from peavey:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-PV14-Mixer?sku=631369

 

Then i was going to connect the peavey mixer from the Left/Right Mic outputs to the Mic 1 & 2 inputs of the Omega mixer. Then obviously go from the USB output on the Omega mixer to my USB 2.0 port.

 

I was going to be purchasing some good quality mics as well, but does it seem that all of this would work correctly? Cause i'd like to just be able to record things i do, because i'm kind of a multinstrumantalist, so i write a lot of music by myself.

And do any of you know if i can use the Omega mixer with something like Tracktion or Cubase?

 

 

also, any suggestions for drum mics?

[HolyDread]

Oh, and is the POD Studio UX2 compatible with basically any software? Because if i decided to not go with that Lexicon setup, i was going to get the POD Studio UX2, that Peavey mixer, and get Tracktion or Cubase or something.

[dmar9]

I Use Guitar Rig 3, Ableton Live 7, an Ausus Laptop, Washburn N2, Squier Jagmaster and Cort GB 34 A Bass. Oh I just use a Behringer u control usb sound card, great value and really happy with the sound and portability. For the band we use 8 track adats though (Behringer, these are pretty nasty)I have this website, showing the rig.

[BluesnBooze]

I've been using MAC's for quite a while and find them very stable!

My setup is a MacBookPro 17" loaded with Logic Studio and all the usual JamPacks, with a WD 2TB External Hard Drive for file storage, that's huge The interface is an Apogee Duet which gives me 2 line outs that can be set via the Duet for either phono output to some form of stereo for playback or as instrument outs for guitar amp inputs with the ability to signal balance. I use Shure mikes, just because I've always used them for 30 years and they're bombproof and true. The Duet is great when using Mainstage for gigs when, if you want, one can be a PA feed. On the input side the Duet gives 2 instrument inputs and 2 XLR. Obviously you can only use any one paired combination at any one time but Logic Studio does have Multi-tracking and you can use one input for the line out from a drummers mixer board.

All you have to do within the Duet parameters is to set the input signal gain levels, so it can handle acoustic, humbucker, singlecoil, various mike types and mixer board inputs.

The software is not difficult to get into

[dacookster]

I've been so busy recording I've forgotten to check up on the Gibson forum lately, but my setup is PC based. Too cheap to buy a MAC. I'm running Tracktion, only because I'm too lazy to learn Cubase. And I started out with a Mackie Onyx 1640. Now I run a MOTU 893mk3. For mics, I have a 57, a PVM kick drum mic, cad e60, and a Rode NT1. I use old Mackie monitor 8's, 4 of them, powered by a Crown K2.

 

I'm looking to add another MOTU so I can do mobile recording gigs, the ONYX is on the sale block. MOTU just sounds smoother, cleaner. And I'm looking at upgrading the PC to an i7 processor. Probably add a macbook pro for the mobile stuff. Yeah, I've already got every paycheck this year spent.

[The RandyMan]

MacBook Pro 2.53GHz Duo, MBox2 Pro, Pro Tools 8 (with lots of plugins), M Audio powered monitors, Shure SM48, aux. hard drive, Tascam US-224, Tascam MkII 424 4-track cassette, Sony VAIO laptop w/Cubase VST, Logic, and Audacity, Yamaha MU5 tone generator,Yamaha DSR1000 keyboard, Yamaha A3000 sampler, dbx 266, Behringer Spatializer, Behringer 8024 digital equalizer, an old ART FX stereo effects processor, Yamaha DTExplorer electronic drum set, a 35+ year old TEAC A4010SL 1/4" reel-to-reel, Fender Princeton 65 DSP, a '60s Gibson Maestro Reverb-Echo amp, various guitars, a Wurlitzer mandolin, a Dancla violin, a dulcimer, a Galizi & Sardoni accordian, and a ('60s ?) Hammond M101 tonewheel organ. A big mix of analog and digital, collected over 30+ years. And it's all a blast to play with.

 

For you youngsters just starting out, don't give up! Just keep your eyes open! Of the stuff listed above, some parts were new and expen$ive (so save your money!), but some were real bargains. The Maestro amp was rescued from a curb on garbage day by my vigilant brother--didn't work, but just needed a new capacitor to work again. The accordian was an attic-salvaged gift from a friend who knew I was into music. The mandolin was found in a thrift store for a couple of bucks. The Hammond drawbar organ was picked up from a local weekly auction for $50 (unfortunately, the Leslie cab for it was long gone, but what the hey! It was only $50, had all the original tubes, and still works!). I started doing the garage sale thing with my wife and haven't found my Holy Grail yet, but I have one friend that found a '60s SG in good condition for $100 at an estate sale. There's bargains out there, so just be patient and persistent, and pay attention!

[g13b9b5]

you can get a USB output added to any guitar. it is super easy to use, class compliant so no drivers. check out www.iguitarworkshop.com

[SamWhips]

At home: MacBook Pro 17", 37" Sony flat screen, ProTools 9, Waves Diamond, Reason 5, Final Cut Pro, Digi 002 Rack, AKG C3000B, Audio Technica AT4040, SM57s/58s, MXL991 (don't laugh )

 

At work: Otari Series 56, ProTools 8, Waves Diamond, Reason 5, too many mics and interfaces to count

[Guest BentonC]

At home: MacBook Pro 17", 37" Sony flat screen, ProTools 9, Waves Diamond, Reason 5, Final Cut Pro, Digi 002 Rack, AKG C3000B, Audio Technica AT4040, SM57s/58s, MXL991 (don't laugh )

 

At work: Otari Series 56, ProTools 8, Waves Diamond, Reason 5, too many mics and interfaces to count

 

Very nice. Good to see another PT user here. How do you like 9? I'm on 9 at home, but use 8 just about everywhere else I go...

 

BTW- have you tried any of the Digi interfaces with the BLack Lion Audio mods? I'm considering a BLA/Digi 003, but I haven't been able to do some A/B work with them.

[Guest BentonC]

At home: MacBook Pro 17", 37" Sony flat screen, ProTools 9, Waves Diamond, Reason 5, Final Cut Pro, Digi 002 Rack, AKG C3000B, Audio Technica AT4040, SM57s/58s, MXL991 (don't laugh )

 

At work: Otari Series 56, ProTools 8, Waves Diamond, Reason 5, too many mics and interfaces to count

 

One more thing- is that the Otari desk in your profile pic?

[Enzo Heavenly]

I just started to get my gear, so it's just:

- Line 6 POD HD500 (as a USB interface) to record guitar, bass and vocals

- Shure beta 58A (voice)

- REAPER software (sooooo easy to use with the HD500, specially for the Dual-Tones :D And just $40 for the license, it's a steal!)

[renips]

Digidesign 003 Pro Tools Here is a new song I just finished using my Les Paul and my Marshall along with my Taylor acoustic. The song is called Mona Lisa

 

http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3375569

 

Also check out my website

 

http://www.markspinnermusic.com/

[laxdude67]

Gibson LP Custom > toneport ux2 > Guitar Rig 4/Pod Farm 2 > Logic 9

 

:)

[Guest BentonC]

Gibson LP Custom > toneport ux2 > Guitar Rig 4/Pod Farm 2 > Logic 9

 

:)

 

Nice- simple but effective.

[DonCarlos]

I have various equipment, and over the years did the computer software route of recording, but in the end now rely on my trusty Akai DPS 24 track. It does a great job.

 

I love seeing people's equipment so that's why I added picture of some of mine......sorry to the moderator and others if I was supposed to omit them in this thread.

 

[My one best piece of equipment IMHO for recording:

-Red Airplane lamp, circa Seinfeld era. (In studio picture)

 

 

Other equipment:

-Mic's I usually use a couple sm57 and a couple mxl condensers. They have been solid performers over the years.

-Speakers Pair of Events 20/20 and a set of Tannoys; both are great for reference, and sometimes blend in a set of old Pioneers to get an idea of what the general playback wilt be of a mix.

-L6 UX2 Studio, which I only have been using the mic modelers patches for some vocals and send them directly into the Akai. Never record with the thing. :Looks cool though.

-mAudio Black box is my workhorse for electrics. Great thing,very flexible since you can use it direct to DAW, or monitors, or amp or pc, but no pc required to operate. The best. (It's on a speaker by the J45 in the picture).

-small 10 channel behringer mixer, for my other individual media, such as record player, cassette deck, pc, cd/dvd, radio, ect. and the output is to a channel on my old Kenw. integrated amp. I also use it when other folks stop by just to play. It;s fun to have a setup with this type of added mixer for that purpose.

-Yamaha PSR keyboard, send it direct to Akai. Has great backing instruments voices and even drums

-Yamaha DD65. There are much better digital drums out there, but these work fine when I can actually keep a beat.

-Epi Triggerman 60 Amp. . Not the greatest amp, but clean uncolored sound without the internal DSP engaged. Very cool retro look. But rarely record with it.

-19-- Peavey something. Small amp that a friend gave me so I have kept it. I like it.

-1999 Fender stratocaster. Jeff Beck signature model. Surf green of course, My main guitar.

-1997 Epi Casino-Peerless factory with Epi Vibrato. Ebony. I have rediscovered this guitar of over a decade of no use. Upgrading now, tuners are now Gotoh SD90 MG, next the bridge and nut need upgrading. I truly enjoy this guitar and it is almost new to me. It literally sat in a case and only came out for tuneups since 1997. I am so pleased I kept it and there is a lot to be said about how good Epiphone guitars can sound..

-2008 Gibson J45. Got to have an acoustic so why not the Gibson workhorse. They make good acoustics.

 

 

-1974 Sanyo SS20 Headphones. 2 way. 3"peizo and 2"tweeter, separate level and tone controls. They look like you could use them to guide in jets at the airport. They truly do isolate sound from coming in and just as important they block sound from going out so you don't have bleed outs when dubbing a vocal. I have others, but this is what I use for dubbing. They are pretty mint condition for their age.

[Guest BentonC]

I have various equipment, and over the years did the computer software route of recording, but in the end now rely on my trusty Akai DPS 24 track. It does a great job.

 

I love seeing people's equipment so that's why I added picture of some of mine......sorry to the moderator and others if I was supposed to omit them in this thread.

 

[My one best piece of equipment IMHO for recording:

-Red Airplane lamp, circa Seinfeld era. (In studio picture)

 

 

Other equipment:

-Mic's I usually use a couple sm57 and a couple mxl condensers. They have been solid performers over the years.

-Speakers Pair of Events 20/20 and a set of Tannoys; both are great for reference, and sometimes blend in a set of old Pioneers to get an idea of what the general playback wilt be of a mix.

-L6 UX2 Studio, which I only have been using the mic modelers patches for some vocals and send them directly into the Akai. Never record with the thing. :Looks cool though.

-mAudio Black box is my workhorse for electrics. Great thing,very flexible since you can use it direct to DAW, or monitors, or amp or pc, but no pc required to operate. The best. (It's on a speaker by the J45 in the picture).

-small 10 channel behringer mixer, for my other individual media, such as record player, cassette deck, pc, cd/dvd, radio, ect. and the output is to a channel on my old Kenw. integrated amp. I also use it when other folks stop by just to play. It;s fun to have a setup with this type of added mixer for that purpose.

-Yamaha PSR keyboard, send it direct to Akai. Has great backing instruments voices and even drums

-Yamaha DD65. There are much better digital drums out there, but these work fine when I can actually keep a beat.

-Epi Triggerman 60 Amp. . Not the greatest amp, but clean uncolored sound without the internal DSP engaged. Very cool retro look. But rarely record with it.

-19-- Peavey something. Small amp that a friend gave me so I have kept it. I like it.

-1999 Fender stratocaster. Jeff Beck signature model. Surf green of course, My main guitar.

-1997 Epi Casino-Peerless factory with Epi Vibrato. Ebony. I have rediscovered this guitar of over a decade of no use. Upgrading now, tuners are now Gotoh SD90 MG, next the bridge and nut need upgrading. I truly enjoy this guitar and it is almost new to me. It literally sat in a case and only came out for tuneups since 1997. I am so pleased I kept it and there is a lot to be said about how good Epiphone guitars can sound..

-2008 Gibson J45. Got to have an acoustic so why not the Gibson workhorse. They make good acoustics.

 

 

-1974 Sanyo SS20 Headphones. 2 way. 3"peizo and 2"tweeter, separate level and tone controls. They look like you could use them to guide in jets at the airport. They truly do isolate sound from coming in and just as important they block sound from going out so you don't have bleed outs when dubbing a vocal. I have others, but this is what I use for dubbing. They are pretty mint condition for their age.

 

Awesome- looks like a pretty thorough setup! BTW- I never would have guessed that those headphones were from the '70s. You really take care of your gear!

[Guest BentonC]

I have various equipment, and over the years did the computer software route of recording, but in the end now rely on my trusty Akai DPS 24 track. It does a great job.

 

I love seeing people's equipment so that's why I added picture of some of mine......sorry to the moderator and others if I was supposed to omit them in this thread.

 

[My one best piece of equipment IMHO for recording:

-Red Airplane lamp, circa Seinfeld era. (In studio picture)

 

 

Other equipment:

-Mic's I usually use a couple sm57 and a couple mxl condensers. They have been solid performers over the years.

-Speakers Pair of Events 20/20 and a set of Tannoys; both are great for reference, and sometimes blend in a set of old Pioneers to get an idea of what the general playback wilt be of a mix.

-L6 UX2 Studio, which I only have been using the mic modelers patches for some vocals and send them directly into the Akai. Never record with the thing. :Looks cool though.

-mAudio Black box is my workhorse for electrics. Great thing,very flexible since you can use it direct to DAW, or monitors, or amp or pc, but no pc required to operate. The best. (It's on a speaker by the J45 in the picture).

-small 10 channel behringer mixer, for my other individual media, such as record player, cassette deck, pc, cd/dvd, radio, ect. and the output is to a channel on my old Kenw. integrated amp. I also use it when other folks stop by just to play. It;s fun to have a setup with this type of added mixer for that purpose.

-Yamaha PSR keyboard, send it direct to Akai. Has great backing instruments voices and even drums

-Yamaha DD65. There are much better digital drums out there, but these work fine when I can actually keep a beat.

-Epi Triggerman 60 Amp. . Not the greatest amp, but clean uncolored sound without the internal DSP engaged. Very cool retro look. But rarely record with it.

-19-- Peavey something. Small amp that a friend gave me so I have kept it. I like it.

-1999 Fender stratocaster. Jeff Beck signature model. Surf green of course, My main guitar.

-1997 Epi Casino-Peerless factory with Epi Vibrato. Ebony. I have rediscovered this guitar of over a decade of no use. Upgrading now, tuners are now Gotoh SD90 MG, next the bridge and nut need upgrading. I truly enjoy this guitar and it is almost new to me. It literally sat in a case and only came out for tuneups since 1997. I am so pleased I kept it and there is a lot to be said about how good Epiphone guitars can sound..

-2008 Gibson J45. Got to have an acoustic so why not the Gibson workhorse. They make good acoustics.

 

 

-1974 Sanyo SS20 Headphones. 2 way. 3"peizo and 2"tweeter, separate level and tone controls. They look like you could use them to guide in jets at the airport. They truly do isolate sound from coming in and just as important they block sound from going out so you don't have bleed outs when dubbing a vocal. I have others, but this is what I use for dubbing. They are pretty mint condition for their age.

 

Awesome- looks like a pretty thorough setup! BTW- I never would have guessed that those headphones were from the '70s. You really take care of your gear!

[Minister Marz]

I use my Epi SG Special which I run through a 90's Toneworks KORG AX30B (which is actually for my bass)but it works well for guitar. Then I run that through a Fender Rumble 100 and from there I line out to my PC.I use Mixcraft 2.0 on my PC(the older version is just easier to use in my opinion no frills with a decent amount of effects.)I have a 300w Logitech sound system set up with Technics stereo speakers. I record everything in this manner bass and guitars. You'd be surprized by the sound quality you can produce with such a meager setup. I'll put up a sample a.s.a.p.

[NoFrills]

Recording setup:-

DAW & VSTs:-Cakewalk Sonar 8.5.3 Producer, Reason 4 + some Refills, EZ Drummer + some EZX plugins, Guitar Rig 4, Dimension Pro & Camel Audio Alchemy.

System:-AMD Opteron 180, 2x1GB RAM, 1TB WD Black 2TB WD Green HDDs, HD4850 GPU, 19" Samsung Monitor, Infrasonic Quartet Pro Audio Sound card, running Window XP still since it's still more stable and not as hungry as Vista or 7.

Mixer:-Alesis Multimix 4 USB Mixer (I do not run this via USB but line out and into the sound card since the mixer sound card is crap and has no official ASIO drivers).

MIDI Controler:-Miditech iControl 61 key.

Amp/Preamp:- Sony & Sony speakers

 

Other than that it's my Gibson LP Studio Lite, Washburn EA22 Platinum Edition, 80'Semi-Hollow Ibanez Artstar, various stomp boxes & a Marshall Quad.

[Guest BentonC]

I use my Epi SG Special which I run through a 90's Toneworks KORG AX30B (which is actually for my bass)but it works well for guitar. Then I run that through a Fender Rumble 100 and from there I line out to my PC.I use Mixcraft 2.0 on my PC(the older version is just easier to use in my opinion no frills with a decent amount of effects.)I have a 300w Logitech sound system set up with Technics stereo speakers. I record everything in this manner bass and guitars. You'd be surprized by the sound quality you can produce with such a meager setup. I'll put up a sample a.s.a.p.

 

Nice- very unusual setup. I'll be very interested to hear the results!

 

Recording setup:-

DAW & VSTs:-Cakewalk Sonar 8.5.3 Producer, Reason 4 + some Refills, EZ Drummer + some EZX plugins, Guitar Rig 4, Dimension Pro & Camel Audio Alchemy.

System:-AMD Opteron 180, 2x1GB RAM, 1TB WD Black 2TB WD Green HDDs, HD4850 GPU, 19" Samsung Monitor, Infrasonic Quartet Pro Audio Sound card, running Window XP still since it's still more stable and not as hungry as Vista or 7.

Mixer:-Alesis Multimix 4 USB Mixer (I do not run this via USB but line out and into the sound card since the mixer sound card is crap and has no official ASIO drivers).

MIDI Controler:-Miditech iControl 61 key.

Amp/Preamp:- Sony & Sony speakers

 

Other than that it's my Gibson LP Studio Lite, Washburn EA22 Platinum Edition, 80'Semi-Hollow Ibanez Artstar, various stomp boxes & a Marshall Quad.

 

Very cool. Sounds like you're set up to do some pretty serious home recording. (BTW- Reason and EZDrummer are 2 of my absolute favorite pieces of software. Doesn't get much simpler or better than that!)

 

How old is the Multimix? Sort of weird that they wouldn't be ASIO compatible...

[NoFrills]

Nice- very unusual setup. I'll be very interested to hear the results!

 

 

 

Very cool. Sounds like you're set up to do some pretty serious home recording. (BTW- Reason and EZDrummer are 2 of my absolute favorite pieces of software. Doesn't get much simpler or better than that!)

 

How old is the Multimix? Sort of weird that they wouldn't be ASIO compatible...

 

I have a project at the moment which will be posted on Youtube in the near future.

It's an acoustic and vocals collab with a friend over in the US.

After that it's on to the video clip.

I think Reason has some of the best sound textures and I find it easy to make a great sound from it.

I find I am still coming to grips with EZ drummer though.

I'm not completely happy with the sound it gives and I don't thikn I have the right equipment to fully utilize it.

e.g electric drum kit.

 

Alesis does not provide drivers for the mixer which is the weird part.

You have to use ASIO4ALL which I refuse to use.

My sound card on the other hand does and the drivers are always being updated to perform better.

Last driver update was as recent as last month.

[jonnyg]

I find I am still coming to grips with EZ drummer though.

I'm not completely happy with the sound it gives and I don't thikn I have the right equipment to fully utilize it.

e.g electric drum kit.

I hate EZ Drummer. It's one of the worst plug-ins I ever bought. If you're going to go the ToonTrack route you're far better off buying Superior in the first place if you can afford it or crossgrading to it if you've already got EZD. I've never managed to get EZD to sit in a mix. There are nothing like enough sound shaping options in the mixer and life's too short to make my music fit their drum sounds. If you're short of cash (who isn't) but willing to put in a bit of time learning how it works you're better off with the free Short Circuit sampler and some multi-sample kits from Analogue drums (who I believe hail from your own fair country). The difference between AD's Ludwig kit and EZD's Vintage Rock (Ludwig) kit is that AD's actually sounds like one while EZD's sounds like someone banging a load of cardboard boxes.