New to recording.

Nolan2112 · #1 02-17-2010, 01:30 AM

I am looking to do some basic recording. I have a limited budget, don't know the exact amount yet but I definitely would like to keep it under a thousand.

I curently have a Dell studio 540 with a 64 bit windows 7 home edition. It has a Intel Core Quad CPU with 2.5Ghz of processing power and I have 6 gigs of ram. I use a Line 6 Pod x3 for all my guitar and bass tone.

I assume I'm going to need some sort of recording interface and software. Correct?

tyg · #2 02-17-2010, 11:47 AM

I believe the pod x3 is a basic interface, you will need some sort of computer recording software (DAW). when you plug the pod into computer with usb you should be able to select you pod in your recording software and do some recording.

Windows 7 might have some sort of very basic recording program built in for recording audio, dont know though.

And you can download Trial Versions of recording software from their respective websites.

FrostStorm · #3 02-18-2010, 03:32 PM

You should try Kristal. It's free and it works for simple recording.

racerevlon · #4 02-18-2010, 03:57 PM

Also, Reaper is a very good down-loadable recording program and if you like/keep it, you can pay the $60 home license fee. Your computer is plenty powerful, but you may have some problems if you don't use it as a dedicated DAW--Windows Updates have been known to cause instability in DAW software. If at all possible, have a dedicated computer for your DAW, and have two hard drives installed--one for the OS and programs, and the other for the music files.

Cheers,

Race

exutus · #5 03-20-2010, 12:51 PM

Some people use torrent sites to get good DAWs. A lot of people here would tell you to buy it but they already got it pirated.

Truth.

edit: however, I'd tell you to get Reason and Record, from Propellerhead.

You will NOT find Record pirated, you have no choice but to buy it and it's not some piece of **** neither. You do not need Pro Tools and all those fanboys horse-**** sucking DAWs.

fabiophonic · #6 04-21-2010, 07:22 PM

I suggest to use REAPER too, it's a professional software
and it's really cheap (60$!). Otherwise you can try Audacity
that it's free but have less options like REAPER.

All other softwares are too much expensive for the beginning.

Aris_T · #7 04-22-2010, 05:37 AM

I would get an interface. Nothing really fancy, but powerful enough to have as little latency as possible. M-Audio and Presonus make really good units and they both offer free DAW software. So you're covered, until your needs expand and you decide to get a more "pro" DAW.

Tank · #8 04-22-2010, 09:10 AM

You can use the POD USB as a recording interface, you just need to install all the software from Line6 and latest drivers (get Line6 monkey to do so), then get some decent recording software, where as Reaper seems to be OK.

jb4674 · #9 04-22-2010, 03:46 PM

I'd get a Presonus Firestudio Mobile, Reaper, POD farm2 platinum and a couple of mics.

Jimmy

TheMusicBucket · #10 04-23-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb4674

I'd get a Presonus Firestudio Mobile, Reaper, POD farm2 platinum and a couple of mics.

Jimmy

+ 1 to the firestudio mobile! It's a firewire interface and has tons of inputs but also comes with Presonus's DAW software called Studio One.

calgarc · #11 07-23-2010, 08:49 PM

uyour best bet is to buy a presonus firepod or firebox system since they come with cubase and many plugins. you can always upgrade to the full version of cubase. that should give you enough inputs to record a few guitars and a drum set

satchman1000 · #12 11-22-2010, 01:19 AM

I use the Tapco USB recording interface. It does everything I need. I guess it's got Mackie preamps. Under $100 bucks.

mindwalker · #13 11-22-2010, 12:24 PM

But the POD x3 is already a USB 2.0 interface.. works well for me. If you want to get your signal dry to use with Pod Farm or something, then you can also do that. Otherwise just record the sound you get wet straight from the POD. You can also record vocals with it.

As for DAW I've been using Reaper so far... works well but I haven't tried others so I can't compare. If you don't pay for it you have to wait 5 seconds until the disclaimer goes away... guess it's doable!

I'm still trying to get to grips with Reaper.. sometimes it's a bit frustrating to use specially when you have 6 takes, and you want to take bits of all 6 into just one... it's a pain or at least I didn't figure out how to do it easily.

Jasu1978 · #14 12-13-2010, 10:55 AM

UbuntuStudio!. http://ubuntustudio.org/

xXLinkageXx · #15 12-14-2010, 06:50 AM

I'm using Cakewalk Sonar 8.5 (version X1 just came out) and a Line 6 UX2. You can really get some awesome sounding guitars by editing the clean signal and throwing the Pod Farm plugin on it. Also, Sonar might look a little daunting but is really easy once you learn a few things and it really lets you do just about anything you can imagine. With X1 Studio ($200), you'll get tons plugins and virtual instruments.

Studio has everything in Essential plus more, so watch Essential first.
Essential
Studio

I would just use your X3 as an interface (just download Line 6 Monkey) and download Pod Farm. Since you have an X3, it might be free. It depends when you bought/registered it. Sonar comes with Amplitube (it's a Pod Farm type plug in), so Pod Farm wouldn't be necessary if you go the Sonar route.

If you pay for recording software, just make sure it's a 64-bit program. Only Sonar X1 Producer and Studio can be installed as 64-bit, Essential can't.

You'll also need some nice reference monitors. M-audio AV40's are a nice budget solution (they're the ones I use).

P.S.
I did pay for my software, I can't stand people that pirate it. It makes it cost more for the honest people. Also, do you really want to deal with viruses?