Using a Computer or Personal Studio??

axis septimum · #1 05-13-2009, 11:28 AM

I am asking for anyones advice on recording, predominantly guitar. I have an old Akai 12 track personal studio, but I am looking to upgrade this as its somewhat old. The thing is should I buy something like one the boss studios with cd burner or set up my laptop for recording. Would the sound quality between to two methods be markedly different. Using my computer would seem the more cost effective method it would seem.

What would be the pros and cons of each method of recording?

Rotti · #2 05-13-2009, 12:19 PM

Being digital you can probably end up with the same sound quality using either system. I prefer using a computer for recording because you have a lot more flexibility to add software, upgrade hardware etc.

smooth55 · #3 05-13-2009, 06:12 PM

I did the stand alone unit for a while. It's really convenient and I still use my old Fostex digital 8-track for live recording from a mixer. At home though, using your computer with a DAW has been a lot more flexible, particularly for making adjustments and changes after you've got your material down. Plug-ins and EQ are much simpler on the comp than they were on the stand alone unit.
Also, if something goes bad with your computer or the interface, you can replace just the broken part. On the Boss things, you're out of luck. This point is something I had to deal with that eventually pushed me toward the computer recording. Some of the buttons on my Fostex have started to wear out a little and it takes some "finesse" to get certain features to work simply because of the mechanical part of the buttom being old.
As far as quality goes, you'll get similar results although it's in large part due to the time and effort you put into learning the equipment.
The boss are nice for portability, but the computer gives you a little more flexibility if you don't need to move your recording set-up around.

axis septimum · #4 05-14-2009, 07:36 AM

Thanks for that Rotti and smooth55, I think i may opt for using a computer, only problem I feel I may encounter is upgrades due to having a laptop.

Which software program, especially for guitar would be good to buy.

I have amplitude, but have heard Cakeware Pro Guitar is good. I believe Pro Tools is the best but would cost a large amount of money, would it be too complex to start on anyway?

Idealy Im looking for a user friendly software package with high variety of different sounds for technical solo work and backing.

Any ideas on this guys?

nickcoumbe · #5 05-14-2009, 08:51 AM

Cakewalk is good. I have gotten some ok stuff out of it.

For protools you need the hardware to run it. That doesn't mean spending £1000s but it is a consideration.

As far as Boss is concerned I picked up a MicroBr a couple of years ago and for simple on the fly stuff it is really good. Cakewalk is more flexible though.

Rotti · #6 05-15-2009, 01:08 AM

I've been using Sony's Vegas for a long time. I recently tried a copy of Pro Tools just to see what I was missing. It was alright but I still prefer Vegas. I'm not into midi stuff at all so that part of Pro Tools did not interest me. If you did want to go the Pro Tools route there is an M-Powered version. With that you could buy an M-audio 24/96 audio card for less than $100 and it would work. Of course you'd still have to get an M-Powered version of Pro Tools. As far as ease of use M-Powered Pro Tools was very easy to get up and running. I'm sure it can get complicated as well but you can be recording guitar tracks in a few minutes after installation no problem.

disco1 · #7 05-15-2009, 11:21 AM

Have you considered a Mac?

You get Garageband for free which has a nice (but basic, amp sim with effects). You can play the guitar live direct using the built-in effects without much latency. It makes a nice practise amp as well.

Destro 007 · #8 05-15-2009, 03:28 PM

+1 for computer recording.

smooth55 · #9 05-15-2009, 04:24 PM

The usual suspects are Pro-tools, Cubase, and Cakewalk for the home hobbyist as well as the pro in many cases. It all depends on you as each looks and acts differently. The major thing is, as has been said, Pro-tools only plays with other pro-tools devices, be they M-powered or straight-up. It's a great DAW, they all are after you take some time to dive into them, but it comes down to if you're willing to be locked into a specific brand of interface. Pro-tools tends to be more expensive when you compare base software packages, but it also comes with a fair amount of plug-ins and features included while others base models like Cubase LE have limits. When you get up to the premium software packages, all are around the same price, although the interfaces of non-protools DAW's can usually be had for cheaper.
I tend to think that with computer recording, it's more about the time you spend developing your own musical abilities and learning the programs of the software that will dictate the quality of your result.

axis septimum · #10 05-15-2009, 05:11 PM

Thanks for that, it certainly helps to put me in the right direction. I just have on final question on this subject, would you get a much better result with a Mac than a PC in sound quality. Is Logic Studio for the Mac on a par with Pro Tools?

Rotti · #11 05-15-2009, 08:52 PM

PC is probably cheaper. Sound quality is equal.

jb4674 · #12 05-16-2009, 03:45 PM

Actually, the sound quality will vary depending on the interface you decide to use. Different interfaces have different preamps built into them, so they won't all sound the same. In addition to that, the overall quality of your recording will vary slightly depending on how much processing power your pc has. This is often referred to as latency. You will achieve the results but they will vary if you, for example, have a pc with a quad core or i7 processor and 8gb of ram against a pc with a celeron single core processor and 1gb of ram.

Jimmy

jordanstreet · #13 05-17-2009, 01:08 PM

Go with a computer. For a DAW i use Reaper (free to use works fantastic). For an interface I have an M-Audio Delta 44 and DMP3 for preamp. If your using a laptop however Id get an Echo audiofire 4.

Quote:

Thanks for that, it certainly helps to put me in the right direction. I just have on final question on this subject, would you get a much better result with a Mac than a PC in sound quality. Is Logic Studio for the Mac on a par with Pro Tools?

Your choice of software won't influence your sound quality as that is dependent on your analog to digital conversion. Most interfaces have 96kHz conversion and some have 192kHz conversion. Also the quality of that conversion is important too. For example apogee converters are going to sound better than the M-Audio converters.

axis septimum · #14 05-19-2009, 03:04 PM

that's great, thanks jordanstreet, just got Reaper myself, was wondering after the 30days trial, can you just ignore the request for payment and use it legally?

I am thinking of getting Pro Tools, was wondering though, which is best LE or M version, am right in thinking that the LE version is closer to that of large studio versions? Or is there really not much difference between the two versions save the interfaces required?

Batchimp RG · #15 05-27-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis septimum

I am thinking of getting Pro Tools, was wondering though, which is best LE or M version, am right in thinking that the LE version is closer to that of large studio versions? Or is there really not much difference between the two versions save the interfaces required?

LE is a more basic version of Protools (not much, though, it's still high end software) but the main differences are these:

LE: Must be used with Digidesign hardware (MBox2, MBox Pro etc). You are restricted on tracks for LE. Protools 7.4 is like 16 stereo tracks (32 mono tracks) only. Protools 8 LE has increased this to 48 tracks, I think. Check digidesign.com. I use Protools 8 LE...couldn't be happier but will upgrade to HD in the mid-term. Bif financial step up, though.

M-Powered: Can be used with a compatible interface of your choice, usually made by M-Audio. Not sure about the amount of tracks available (called voices). Check website.

HD: The stock plug-ins of HD are better, I hear. But if you are using 3rd party plug-ins this does not really matter, anyway. Up to 120 tracks available....

Go with Protools 8 LE (with an MBox)

Otherwise get a Macbook and use Garageband (included free) to start off with, then buy Logic Express and then upgrade to Logic when you get comfortable.

Logic and Protools are both industry standard DAWs...it's personal choice which one to use, that's all.