(Part 2) Best products from r/recording

That looks pretty much like what I need. Would this also work if I was plugging a guitar in directly? I don't have an electric/acoustic right now, but I do have an electric and am planning on getting a nice electric/acoustic eventually.

And is there much benefit to using this over something like this or this?

I have 2 audio-technica at2020s that I love for everything. They cost about $100 (on sale, and canadian. Probably cheaper everywhere else in the world).

I don't think you have to worry about AMAZING recording quality right now, you're just trying to start out, right?

I just picked up a Scarlett 2i2 second hand for around $100 too. This is what I'll plug my mics into, and what I would plug my bass into if I was going DI.

As for SM57 vs SM58, a couple of people I know swear by SM57s

I don't think you should go with a dynamic mic like the SM57 or 58. I think you should look at condenser mics. If you can only get one mic, get a large diaphragm condenser mic. If you can get 2, get a large diaphragm for vocals and a small diaphragm for the guitar. They sell kits that have one of each. http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT2041-Studio-Microphone-Package/dp/B000AQDSMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421175955&sr=8-1&keywords=at2041sp&pebp=1421175957665&peasin=B000AQDSMQ

You will have much better results with these. FYI, they will need phantom power.

get something like this (or one of the bigger ones if you can afford it), which is cheap(ish) and make demos. You don't even need a mic if you can't afford that.

If your demos do well then do all this investing in studios and gear. Spending a ton of money on your first recording experience seems like a waste of money to me.

If you need to use a computer, get one of the free programs. I used to use audacity, even that will be way better than garage band.

Save yourself some time and just snag up one of these reasonably priced homes!

No, in all seriousness, I'm in the process of a similar, but smaller (one room) project. I started with a couple of packs of these, which were half price a month ago; might be worth checking back.

From the reading I've done, it seems like in a basement, your priority would be soundproofing in the ceiling (I'd think the ground would do the job, otherwise), and sound treatment in your listening/tracking rooms. Getting rid of weird reflections, etc.

All the stuff I've read on proper soundproofing has one thing in common: space between the material and your wall surface. For instance, putting up curtains, or some sort of foam padding a few inches in from the actual walls, then filling that space with insulation, then raising the floor, filling the empty space with sand, then lowering the ceiling, basically building a room within a room.

I haven't personally sought this out, but apparently the Berkeley school of music has some of their class material available online for this sort of thing. (Edit: Sound treatment, in this case.. as mentioned, way different than soundproofing)

Sorry if there's not a ton of usable info in this, just excited for you and wanted to pass on whatever insight I've gained so far.

Good luck!

you could plug it into the computer with an audio cable, but it would just be the analog mixed/mastered tracks. You may need a usb input device like this http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UFO202


Otherwise it looks like the hard drive itself can be removed from the BOSS and accessed directly on a PC. http://thestudiofiles.com/?p=241
You would need something like this http://www.amazon.com/Vantec-CB-ISATAU2-Supports-2-5-Inch-5-25-Inch/dp/B000J01I1G to connect the internal IDE hard drive to a USB input. Inside should be all the raw WAV recordings.

At that budget, I'd recommend a portable recorder, like the Zoom H1: It'll get the job done, and will work just fine for this purpose.

I googled its price, out of curiosity, Amazon is selling one for 109 dollars.

Of course, if quality is really not an issue, then yes, you can always just use your phone; Just don't expect professional-level quality.

Not trying to gearblock here or anything.. but I'm pretty sure you can get this exact mic for 100 brand new on amazon...

Your average computer won't have a sp/dif or TOSlink connection built in. Not without a PCI card at least. What you want is something with a USB connection.

Based on the price of what you linked on Amazon I'm guessing you're not looking to spend a lot and want something bare-bones. This should do the trick:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KW2YEI/ref=mp_s_a_1_25?qid=1427582228&sr=1-25&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=2+channel+usb+interface

Although I'd recommend getting something with built in mic preamps like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BQ6KSN6/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1427582455&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=usb+audio+interface&dpPl=1&dpID=41Eswt0wwaL&ref=plSrch#

EDIT I have not used either of these items and can't attest to their quality. I simply chose them as examples of something you could use in your situation.

A good rule of thumb if you are dealing with a microphone that has an xlr output on it you will want to use an audio interface to connect it to the computer. An audio interface will have a proper microphone preamp and phantom power for your microphone. As well as ASIO drivers that are more stable for recording audio than standard Windows drivers. It sucks existing money I get that


Look into this one

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

This one on Amazon seems like a good place to start. Get one of these for your "always plugged in" gear, then a standard $10 Home Depot power strip for more flexibility. I also should have mentioned that it's a bad idea to "daisy chain" your power strips. One wall outlet = one power strip.

you should get a USB mic then. otherwise you're going to bring your budget up quite a bit between the mic and an interface / preamp.

check out these (searched usb microphone on amazon):
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1474038764&sr=8-7&keywords=usb+microphone

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B006DIA77E/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1474038764&sr=8-6&keywords=usb+microphone

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Black-iCE/dp/B014PYGTUQ/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1474038764&sr=8-16&keywords=usb+microphone

https://www.amazon.com/Floureon-BM-100FX-Professional-Broadcasting-Instruments/dp/B00ZTC0E78/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1474038764&sr=8-17&keywords=usb+microphone

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2500-USB-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B004QJREXM/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1474038803&sr=8-17&keywords=usb+microphone

i'd recommend one of the Blue's, or the last one, the ATr2500.

My suggestion that's pretty future-proof would be a focusrite scarlett 2i2 or similar interface, a mic stand, a pop filter and a large-diaphragm condenser mic.

So basically this bundle: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Studio-GENERATION-Interface/dp/B00AW91CPG

or this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LLV04E?psc=1

Having the option to use two mics and to use different mics means that the entire set-up has room to grow.

Drummer here and these are what i use:

https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PNZFZ8

And this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001423GZO/ref=zg_bs_13880171_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=M39MYC31WEF6J42AN8XN

And you might need a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter pending on your mixer/interface

Hope this helps!

I just ordered this. It seems to have really good reviews

http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1419880742&sr=1-1

Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone, Cardioid - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014PYGTUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fOAvCbJTQ64C8

Here's a similarly priced mic from a much more reputable company, it's USB over XLR, so you don't need to buy an interface, and it isn't a Chinese knockoff