ldgrmnmc - Posted - 12/04/2011:  16:27:52

I'm interested in setting up a Mac- based recording "studio" in my home for under $1000 (I already have the computer) primarily to record my bluegrass acoustic band.  In not much of a techie when it comes to recording, but I'm pretty good with computers. re for this purpose?  I've seen some YouTube videos on doing this, but none that I saw really had enough detail recording acoustic instruments to get me started.  Anyone using Garageband '11 softwa

seanray - Posted - 12/04/2011:  18:12:57

Garageband is good but you may want to look into Logic. I've used them both and even though the learning curve is a bit steeper with Logic, it's a far superior application.

Logic Express is really all you need unless you want fancier plugins and the ability to mix in surround.

Rocky III - Posted - 12/05/2011:  12:10:33

ldgrmnmc, what else do you have besides the computer? Do you have microphones, pre-amps? How many people in the band and what instruments? Do you want to record all in one performance or multitrack individual instruments (which may involve each player playing separately? 

Let me know and I can give you more of a guideline of what you should be looking for an buying.

Thnaks, 



 

quote:

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Originally posted by ldgrmnmc

I'm interested in setting up a Mac- based recording "studio" in my home for under $1000 (I already have the computer) primarily to record my bluegrass acoustic band.  In not much of a techie when it comes to recording, but I'm pretty good with computers. re for this purpose?  I've seen some YouTube videos on doing this, but none that I saw really had enough detail recording acoustic instruments to get me started.  Anyone using Garageband '11 softwa

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ldgrmnmc - Posted - 12/05/2011:  16:55:07

OK, about 5 people in the band. I own a Samson USB mic that I have used alone for podcasting. Otherwise, I own nothing  but the computer. thanks for the help

Rocky III - Posted - 12/05/2011:  17:47:52

I'd recommend getting a home studio bundle like Mbox it comes with a mic, monitors (ie speakers to play back the recordings and mix) recording software etc. Id spend the rest pf the money on a better mic. You xan probably record all instruments at once w one mic if you put in the center and u all play in a circle atound it. However you have to get a mic that has an omni pattern. Omni pattern means it can record everything surrounding the mic not just the direction its pointed at. Drums id use a separate mic. Srry for spelling posting from my iphone.
This whole thing will run u round 1000. Check guitarcenter for recording bundles

MoeBanjo - Posted - 12/06/2011:  03:58:19

Do you already have a good 2.1 (two satellites and a subwoofer) or better set of computer speakers for playback of recordings? If not, I'd start there. (face the satellites out from the mic stand and turn down the subwoofer when monitoring during recording).  Besides the single mic setup with a circle of players, you could go with a two mic setup in an X-Y configuration with a two input mini-interface, assuming you have the space for the players in a U formation.

Edited by - MoeBanjo on 12/06/2011 04:08:15

Rocky III - Posted - 12/06/2011:  06:20:19

It would be helpful to know what you are shooting for. Recording equipment runs the gamut from professional to downright s***ty. You can probably set up a recording situation for about $100, but anything you record will sound like crap. Your choice. Tells us exactly what you are looking for, exactly what you are looking to accomplish, etc.
Again, for the price you are willing to pay try this: guitarcenter.com/Digidesign-Mb...599847.gc

Unfortunatelly, your USB mic won't work with it. You can also spend $100 on SM57 microphone, great for drums and the rest of the money on a better condenser microphone for the accoustic instruments. It may take you a week or two to figure out Pro Tools, but once you have it down, it will be a breeze. The good thing about it is that if you ever wanted to send your recorded tracks to a professional mixer, you can do that with ease since you use Pro Tools.
BTW you can also splurge on the slightly more expensive version, which has better microphone and moinitors:
guitarcenter.com/Digidesign-Pr...177447.gc

BC Bill - Posted - 12/06/2011:  08:58:48

Hi,

I recorded this using a home system: banjohangout.org/myhangout/mus...?id=31486

I am working on a labtop.  I have a Sonar V-Studio 100 attached.

rolandus.com/products/productd...entId=436 

The V-100 by-passes the cheesy sound card that comes with the labtop and provides an excellent interface to the DAW software.  Because it provides a 'sound card by-pass', it cannot be used with a USB mic.  I have a Rode N22A mic, it lets me record vocal, acoustic instruments, and the entire band -

rodemic.com/mics/nt2-a

The Sonar V-Studio comes with DAW software bundled and it is fine for quality home recording.  However, I upgraded to Sonar X1. 

soundonsound.com/sos/apr11/art...ar-x1.htm

I also got a good pair of powered monitor speakers. 

If you have access to a large music store with a recording department, I recommend spending some time talking to them and looking at your alternatives.  The products intended for home recording are legion and there is some very good stuff available.  As was suggested, it really depends on your needs.  If all you want is to make a demo, or to monitor your practices, you can easily do it with your USB mic and Garage Band.  If you want to make quality, professional sounding recordings, particularly if you want to multi-track, then you need a more sophisticated set-up.

Getting into DAW recording is interesting, challenging, and very satisfying (once you understand it).

Good Luck and have fun,

Bill

Mark Johnson - Posted - 12/06/2011:  09:25:33

I'd recommend getting two condenser mics and some sort of interface that allows you to plug them in to your Mac.  You should have no problem doing this for under 1000.

I had a MBox 2 like linked above.  It worked pretty well.  I recently acquired an Apogee Duet interface.  It's more expensive, but solved some latency issues I was having and is very easy and straight forward to use.  

Condenser mics are a whole 'nuther topic, no doubt there are plenty of threads in the archives just addressing that.  For a cheap pair of starter mics you might consider the MXL 990.  I started there and think highly of them bang-for-buck.  The Rode NT1 is a classic tried-and-true mic for a very reasonable price.  Get a pair of either of those, some stands and cords, and you've got yourself a heck of a studio for under $1000.

Here's a band I'm in recorded in this fashion (standing around 2 mics being fed to garage band):

kcbearfighters.com/media/songt...ekids.mp3

Edited by - Mark Johnson on 12/06/2011 09:26:46

MoeBanjo - Posted - 12/07/2011:  03:57:24

Edited by - MoeBanjo on 12/07/2011 04:07:00

MoeBanjo - Posted - 12/07/2011:  04:21:26

I almost forgot... here are some M-Audio monitor speakers you can leave plugged into the interface:

amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_...audio+mon

Fishrrman - Posted - 12/11/2011:  19:09:08

"I'm interested in setting up a Mac- based recording "studio" in my home for under $1000 (I already have the computer) primarily to record my bluegrass acoustic band. In not much of a techie when it comes to recording, but I'm pretty good with computers. re for this purpose?"

Important question:
How many mics do you want to use at once?

Will 2 do?

Or do you need 4?

Or 8? (even 8 mics may not be enough to record an entire band live with each instrument and vocalist having an individual mic.)

Most low/midrange audio interfaces will have 2 XLR (mic) inputs, and most also have 2 "line" inputs. You could get ahold of a "standalone" stereo mic preamp (it should have 2 XLR mic inputs) and run these into the line inputs of the interface. This would get you 4 mics at once.

If you really want 8, you will have to "up the ante" as far as interfaces go. There are good ones out there with 8 XLR inputs, but they cost more money. Two I would recommend would be the Echo AudioFirePre8 and the Steinberg MR-816.

And then you'll need the mics, of course!

Garageband is "good enough" for recording, but you may find it lacking insofar as editing is concerned (and you WILL need to edit your work).

Apple's "Logic" apps can be a _bear_ to use. Less than "logical"!

The best digital audio recording software I've seen (although I haven't seen or used the latest version of Protools) is Steinberg's "Cubase". "CubaseLE" comes bundled free with some audio interfaces. The next step up is "Cubase Essentials" which costs about $150 (or less). Top-of-the-line is the "full" version of Cubase, but it's expensive, and you wouldn't need all it offers anyway. Even the "Essentials" version now comes with an "auto-tune" plugin.... :)

Actually, if your band is considering trying to record a CD, you might do best to just find a decent studio and go in well-prepared. May cost no more than doing it yourself (considering what you'll spend on the proper equipment to do so)...

- John