Home Recording HELP!!!!

metalguitarist7778 · #1 12-05-2009, 10:45 PM

Hello Jemsiters
I haven't poster on here in so long AHHH THE nostalgia!
I digress
I have decided to buy a mic and software for my mac. I am saving a budget of about $300 dollars.
I am a complete noob at recording so excuse the question having such a wide variety.
Should I stick to a USB mic such as the AT-2020 and then get some software with like a cheap drummer thing as the recording software.
OR should I go for something like an MXL, get an MXL usb adaptor. Then get the recording software?
Im just so lost as what to do so I remembered you guys and thought hey why not.
To sum it all up. What would be a good condenser mic, audio software, and if not concluded a program with drumming presets.
Cheers

nato101010 · #2 12-05-2009, 11:11 PM

Honestly, you have GarageBand if you have a Mac, that's the only program you'll need if you are just recording at home. It has many many drum loops.

I suggest getting a small A/D (analog to digital) recording interface. It costs like $160. I use a Presonus Inspire 1394, and its great for home use. And it has FireWire connection ! Which Macs love. Get that and a Shure SM57 (or a like-minded mic), which is like about $100. I'm curious about the new Shure Condenser mics myself, because I have never used condensers.

There is much advice to be had about recording here on Jemsite.

metalguitarist7778 · #3 12-06-2009, 12:28 AM

yeah are you talking about like the new usb shure mics?
My Garage band doesnt work for some reason which is a bitch. Does that Presonus like make it so i can plug the mic into that and then plug that into my mac?

560licious · #4 12-06-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nato101010

I'm curious about the new Shure Condenser mics myself, because I have never used condensers.

just make sure that you understand that condenser mics use phantom power

metalguitarist7778 · #5 12-06-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 560licious

just make sure that you understand that condenser mics use phantom power

Yeah i know they do. Thats why I was thinking about just getting like a usb mic. The problem with USB mics is that usually they are meant for like pod casting.

guitvai1 · #6 12-06-2009, 03:36 PM

My main interface to my iMac is the M-Audio Profire 610 which is an excellent A/D convertor and comes with phantom power. There is a less pricey option from M-Audio which would probably do the trick (fewer inputs/outputs). I went with the regular analog AT-2020 and it sounds great. According to the guy music shop, you'll never get a decent sound out of a USB mic. Also the AT-2020 is only about $130 and sounds way better than a Shure SM57 for recording vocals or acoustic guitar, it's just way more sensitive. The SM57 is meant for live use.

metalguitarist7778 · #7 12-07-2009, 01:21 AM

Oh so you just bought the non usb version of the AT-2020?

guitvai1 · #8 12-07-2009, 08:13 PM

Yep, the music store guy who does a lot of professional recording advised staying away from the USB microphone interface.

prydogga · #9 12-07-2009, 08:32 PM

For a good mic go with a Shure sm58 or sm57, very commonly used, and tried and tested mics. For an audio software I'd recommend Protools or Cubase, and I know at least Protools has alot of drumming loops and such (and phantom power on the I/O), but if that's not enough, EZdrummer is a great tool for home recording. As for help with recording in general, here's a link to a post over at SS that is a great guide for home recording:

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/rec...e-bedroom.html

metalguitarist7778 · #10 12-07-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydogga

For a good mic go with a Shure sm58 or sm57, very commonly used, and tried and tested mics. For an audio software I'd recommend Protools or Cubase, and I know at least Protools has alot of drumming loops and such (and phantom power on the I/O), but if that's not enough, EZdrummer is a great tool for home recording. As for help with recording in general, here's a link to a post over at SS that is a great guide for home recording:

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/rec...e-bedroom.html

I was looking at EZDrummer, but it seemed like not enough. Does Apple logic contain like a beat maker or drum machine? I know it has drum loops but im looking for something more custom. Other then the drums Apple Logic seems pretty perfect.

S-man · #11 12-08-2009, 08:57 AM

Try addictive drums.

For something even fancier...try superior drums.

metalguitarist7778 · #12 12-08-2009, 10:10 PM

But is addictive drums a DAW?

S-man · #13 12-10-2009, 10:12 AM

No...but neither is EZ Drummer.

metalguitarist7778 · #14 12-10-2009, 07:06 PM

can you record music on it is what im asking.

rty13ibz98 · #15 12-10-2009, 11:16 PM

$300?

a presonus firebox and an at3035.

the 3035 is way better than the 2020. to my ears anyway. the 2020 being brittle and 3035 being meatier and full of life. the pres in the firebox are supposedly the same as the firestudio and those are pretty good for the price.

rich