What recording equipment do you need to have to record at home on your computer?

Question

Ok, i started a band and we made a few song, now we really want to record. We are going to use the computer to edit and record but the thing is we don't know how!!! I know a few programs that I can download like Audacity and I know a mixer is good, is there a good cheap mixer someone can recommend? And I don't know what other recording equipment I have to have so if anyone can list them for me, that would be great :) Thanks

Answer 1

You require the below things to start with:

1)It may be that rather than using an external device you might choose to upgrade your sound card. Professional sound cards offer a considerable improvement over the recording capabilities of generic sound cards, and are also have the necessary drivers to reduce latency and help you get the most out of your music software. Plus they also have MIDI in/out as well.

2)You can buy a new M-Audio USB audio device, a nice Rode condensor mic, and some pro headphones (I like the Sennheiser 280s because of the relatively flat response) for under $500.

For the software end, the USB audio device will come with some software you can play with (typically, a less feature-rich version of Ableton Live). For sampling, you may have to scour the net for free audio samples, but all of the features you're looking for can be found in the software bundle.You need a halfway decent mic like this. It's the standard workhorse mic. Get a pop guard (cheap) for vocals.

You'll also need a preamp for that mic. This is probably where you'll spend the most money. You get exactly what you pay for with a preamp. People who say you can filter out hiss from cheap preamps with software are lying to you. They are not your friends.

Then again, Robert Johnson had tons of background hiss. It all depends on what you're trying to do.

These headphones are good enough to mix stuff down if you have a good ear.

Best advice: Head to the pawn shop and see how much recording gear you can get used, but be careful when buying used mics. If they've been dropped, they're useless. This is probably the best place to get a preamp. I'll let someone else suggest that hardware.-Multitrack software called Cakewalk, which to me is very simple to use. Almost one-click recording. There is still a learning curve for getting it set up and using it the first time, but it is far easier than Protools. Decent effects built in and possibility to add plug-ins

3)Still and all, if you look in Musician's Friend these days, you will also see a lot of 'bundles' which include some hardware like a soundcard and/or preamp or mixer of some kind along with some multitracking software and maybe even a mic. I can't recommend any one of these because I don't have experience with them, but it's worth noting that many are well below $500.

Answer 2

Most audio cards focus on output rather than input, and while your soundcard has line and mic in it is very noisy. for much less than an expensive soundcard you could get a USB front end such as the Tascam US 122L which will give you two xlr mic inputs with phantom power which will give you mic gain and two line level inputs (switchable to guitar level).

buying an item like this will allow you to hook it up to any computer should you later change your pc and this item in particular is Mac and Windows Compatible.

Use the best mic's you can afford, you can save money if you buy used however check them out first.

depending on where you buy it you can also get a multirecording software bundled with it or you can use audacity