Well, we've looked at what recording formats are available, and I did try to keep my biased opinion at bay... sometimes..! Today I'm going to have a closer look at putting a system together, and what gear you should look at and how it all connects up. In simple terms, workflow.
Let's assume that that you decided on a PC based system. In theory connecting up any other system will be almost the same regarding the workflow, but I'll have a look at Tape based and Hard Disc recorders at a later stage.
THE SYSTEM
Let's assume that you are a guitarist that wants to record some stuff by yourself. That means no other musos to work with. What you'd look at is the following:
PC (Obviously)
Interface ('Sound card')
Mic (you always need one)
Monitors (speakers) / Headphones
Software
Some form of MIDI device..?
From all the the choices available, Buying a PC can be a nightmare! Because of different processors you can run into a few problems. Some interfaces don't like keeping company with AMD, some others have a huge problem with certain motherboards. The processor problem however, is normally found with PCi based interfaces. USB and FireWire can get around that little problem.
But, this problem has been looked at, and is not as common as it was 4 years ago. Important though, before you go and spend money on a system go to the website of your interface company and have a look at the Supported systems page.
Interface wise you have a load of options, like I said last time. For a simple home system, I'd go for a 2in/2out USB or FireWire system. They are quite simple to operate, and once you get your engineering chops down, you'd be amazed what you can do with one of these. Don't however take this as Holy Writ. Some guys opt for a BIG interface (e.g.. M-Audio 10-10 Delta), and then grow into the rig. It's all up to you and your budget.
What's nice about most of these interfaces is that they come with software included. Most of the times you'd get Cubase with it, which is a very nice program to work with. The included software also makes the driver issue easier to navigate, because that means that the Driver, Software and Interface is matched.
Sonor also has packages like this available, and from listening to some of my friends, Sonor seems to be quite a capable program.
Microphone.. Well, here I normally have a lot to say. This is one of my favorite subjects but, for the system we are looking at setting up, a simple
dynamic would suffice. A dynamic mic is one that does not need external power (e.g.. Phantom power, Batteries or a dedicated Pre-amp)
The worlds most well know dynamic is the Shure SM57 & SM58. There are a host of other manufacturers that occupy the market, ranging from R300 mics to astronomical prices.
Dynamic microphones quite often has a Cardioid pick up pattern. This simply means that it picks up sound from one side. So in a hand held mic it'd be the side where you normally sing into. It doesn't pick up sound from behind or side, but tries to focus its pick up energy towards the space it's aimed at. I'll go more in depth with mics in another article.
Monitors/Headphones. I've been asked quite often 'why do I need monitors? I have a nice set of headphones to mix on!' The answer is BALANCE, BASS and STEREO width. Monitors gives you the ability to listen to what you've recorded, and judge it. As a simple exercise, go have a listen to your Favorite song through headphones and then through a set of monitors. The 1st thing you'd notice is BASS. Headphones (the cheap ones) has an artificially enhanced bass response. I personally blame Hip-Hop for this. On a set of monitors you get to listen more 'into' the music. The Frequency response for a set of monitors would quite often be flat. meaning that all the freq.'s get the same amount of priority if I might say it in that way.
Headphones are a good check point for those little hidden things you put into your mix. In a Proper studio you wont need headphones, but for home use, they are good references.
MIDI. I really hate MIDI. I think the reason is that I've never really gone into it as deeply as I should have.. So I just lament the by gone days where all instruments were played live. In a home situation though, you'd need something to program the drums, bass, keys and other little things. These days USB MIDI keyboards are the craze!! And I love these. No MIDI interface needed, and most Software sequencers see them as normal MIDI devices.
What's nice about MIDI these days is also the fact that a lot of your software packages come with Virtual Instruments. And here you have so much room to play with that you can do almost anything.
For an example I'd list my own little home system here. Being in the industry I am privileged enough to have a few toys, so I'll here are 2 systems I play with.
SYSTEM 1
MacBook Pro
Logic 7
MOTU 828mkII
M-Audio USB keyboard
System 2
Mac G5 Dual 2GHz
Pro Tools LE
Digi 002
With Yamaha MSP10 Monitors.
These systems are both FireWire. The Logic system is really only there to write on, as Logic has a vast variety of virtual instruments, and plug ins are easy to get.
Because all these individual pieces will take too long to explain, I just covered what is needed in a system. Next up we'll have a closer look at Microphones, and what options are available.
noteworthy websites to have a look at are:
INTERFACES
http://www.emu.com
http://www.motu.com
http://www.digidesign.com
http://www.roland.com
http://www.presonus.com
http://www.m-audio.com
http://www.rme-audio.de/en_index.php
MONITORS
www.tannoy-speakers.com/
http://www.yamaha.com:80/yamahavgn/CDA/List/ModelSeriesList/0,,CTID%25253D560744%252526CNTYP%25253DPRODUCT,00.html
www.mackie.com
www.krksys.com
http://www.eventelectronics.com/index2.html
There are numerous other companies, but I just quickly listed those brands that are found quite common in SA. Most stores will carry other stock, and a good idea is that when you go and shop for monitors, try and audition them in a quiet room, with a CD that you know VERY well. My CD of choice has stuff on ranging from Metallica, John Mayer, Pussycat Dolls, BUMP.. Just to make sure I cover all the bases.
Neps
