Getting into recording, need some advice

[Platypus]

I am in the market to purchase a new Mac laptop for recording/multimedia purposes. I had also planned on getting two mics as well. My plan is to record my 2x12 amp right into the laptop into something like protools or reason or whatever. I need some sort of device to go between the computer and mics that produces good sound quality that isn't too expensive. It should also be fast, something like firewire.

My next biggest question among many others is how best to get started recording? Any tips of mic placement, etc? Best software to use? I'm doing a sort of 'one man band' type sound in that I'll be adding in drums and bass as well to the mix. Something that sounds as realistic as possible without costing an arm and a leg.

thanks

[countandduke]

Some kind of firewire like Presonus' firepod or firebox which is even cheaper. The Firepod has 8 inputs available and I think the firebox has maybe like 3 or 4. Garageband that comes standard in most Apple computers works great for recording and you can get upgrades and what not through Apple.

Good luck.......

Chris

[Platypus]

Some kind of firewire like Presonus' firepod or firebox which is even cheaper. The Firepod has 8 inputs available and I think the firebox has maybe like 3 or 4. Garageband that comes standard in most Apple computers works great for recording and you can get upgrades and what not through Apple.

Good luck.......

Chris

Thanks for the reply..

I was thinking of something more like this:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MobilePreUSB-main.html

I don't really need anything more than 2 mic inputs for this and it's a lot cheaper and portable with that box. Any thoughts on that versus the firepod? Thanks again for the reply.

[countandduke]

Well, it looks like the Firebox is 24bit/96khz so the sound quality of the Presonus is higher. The m-audio is 16bit/48khz.

Chris

[Unburst]

I am in the market to purchase a new Mac laptop for recording/multimedia purposes. I had also planned on getting two mics as well. My plan is to record my 2x12 amp right into the laptop into something like protools or reason or whatever. I need some sort of device to go between the computer and mics that produces good sound quality that isn't too expensive. It should also be fast, something like firewire.

My next biggest question among many others is how best to get started recording? Any tips of mic placement, etc? Best software to use? I'm doing a sort of 'one man band' type sound in that I'll be adding in drums and bass as well to the mix. Something that sounds as realistic as possible without costing an arm and a leg.

thanks


There is a MOTU 828 going in the emporium right now that's less than $180 it's a great and easy to use Fireire interface.

You can use it with Garageband too!

[Platypus]

Well, it looks like the Firebox is 24bit/96khz so the sound quality of the Presonus is higher. The m-audio is 16bit/48khz.

Chris

How much of a difference is that going to be sound wise? Will the 16bit one sound crappy? I'm not going for studio grade but also not crappy mixtape quality either.

[Platypus]

How about this unit:
http://line6.com/toneport/hardware.html

I know it takes guitar/bass directly but I'd rather record using the two mic inputs into an app. Will that work for my purposes? Also, do I need to get powered monitors or can I use headphones? Trying to keep this on the cheap.

[countandduke]

I would get the highest quality you can afford. The difference between 16 bit/48khz and 24 bit/96khz is noticeable to my ears. Cost wise, it isn't going to be too much so get the highest quality you can. You do not need powered monitors but mixing in headphones makes you hear things differently so just burn a test cd and listen to it in your car stereo and home stereo or better yet, connect you computer to your home stereo speakers and mix from there.

Chris

PS Stick with firewire based preamps and use the line6 stuff for fun but not for recording.

[Platypus]

This PreSonus Firebox looks like a good compromise with price and features and seems to get good reviews.

Chris, have you used this one personally? Do you think that's a good match for what I'm attempting to do?

I do lose the protools tie-in though, but having never really used the software, do you think I'll really care? I've heard bad things about cubase. I really just want something I can plug in and lay down good quality guitar tracks that can be muilti-layered and trigger in different parts. I would imagine I could save my tracks and import them into protools for final piecing.