Home recording

Firstly the Computer

awaiting a MAC piece ......

PC

Although the PC market moves pretty quickly with hardware specification changing constantly with evolving software the basic rules of getting the PC hardware level right are pretty constant, firstly decide on the type of the PC you will use; whether Desktop or Laptop? To some that sound like a daft question but if you're doing band practices in a hall without recording equipment a laptop is a good and cheap way to go - in the longer term. Once you have determined the basic unit the main features to pay attention to are:

One thing also worth bearing in mind about processors is that AMD 64 bit architecture has the best current overall bus speed at the moment, however not all software supports 64 bit and may be unreliable for a while (so try and check it out first).

Another thing or two; for external sound cards USB 2.0 is faster than USB 1.1 but to get this improvement both the device and the computer must support 2.0. Firewire (IEEE 1394) has even more overall bandwidth (speed is about 50% better) and is by far the better choice for laptops. A Desktop PC is better served by a PCI Card (preferably with an external connector hub for convenience) is a much better option price/performance wise. (author: da8add1e)

Audio Cards(PCI)

Both of these are ace for starters and are PCI based. They both have MIDI as well as Audio support. Use the ASIO drivers rather than the Windows DirectIO or WDM drivers for much faster performance.


- E-MU 0404 (£) Good basic soundcard.

- M-Audio Audiophile 2496 (£) Another good basic soundcard.

- M-Audio Delta 10-10lt sound card (££) 8 analogue ins, 8 analogue outs, SPIDIF and so on. Very good card with loads of features and man enough to track a whole band. Latency issues with MIDI/VST on my setup but I am not 100% sure this is down to the soundcard? Other opinions sought here on this issue. (author JamieH)

- M-Audio Delta66 (££) 6 inputs & 6 outputs @ 24-bit/96kHz, 4 analog I/O's, S/PDIF digital I/O with SCMS control, AC-3 and DTS surround support via digital I/O, Bundled software; Ableton Live Lite 5 (Author: da8add1e)

- RME Hammerfall 9632 DSP (£££) - Might still prove a Sledgehammer to crack a walnut solution for PCI sound card recording for the home enthusiast. Basically a a 192kHz/24Bit PCI Soundcard which handles it's own mix processing through RME's TotalMix software which can handle 16 channels of I/O at any one time. Through the RME software you can also fix the sample rate on your machine and specify how you route your signal paths.
The card utilises a breakout cable (you can buy a Balanced breakout cable with the card from Digital Village) whch handles 1 x Midi I/O, 2 x Analogue I/O, 1 x Spdif I/O, 1 x Optical Spdif I/O, 8 x ADAT I/O, plus Headphone out. It is easy to install and will work glitch free on you system running with very low latency 3ms and under and provides noise free and glitch free recording. The best bit though is that the company provides a three year warranty, such is their faith in it's stability. (Author: Daevid)



Audio Interfaces USB/Firewire

Many of these, and they generally come with a bit more goodies. Make sure you know the version of the USB or Firewire port on your computer. USB is backwards compatible so if say you have a USB 2 port on your PC your can use a USB 1 audio interface. A generalism, but a truism - make sure your audio device is on a dedicated controller - meaning don't connect it via a USB hub.

- Tascam US122 (££) XLR/Jack, phantom power, quality Tascam mic preamps, headphone socket, line out, switchable line/mic or guitar in.(author: Jalapeno)


- Edirol (Roland) UA-1EX (£) Successor to the UA-1A, and entry level but fully functional device (now with ASIO support).


- Line 6 Toneport (see Guitar Processors as strictly it's a USB audio input device AND Guitar signal processor)



Guitar Processors (Outboard)

Their role is to avoid having to mic up amplifiers and having huge effects racks to treat guitar signals. There are many of these - the most populat being the Behringer V-Amp and Line6 PoD. There are also some modelling Direct Input (DI) boxes that have rudimentary signal processors - most notably the Behringer GDI21(<£) & BDI21 (<£).


- Behringer V-AMP/Bass V-AMP (£) Cheapest fully featured device available, does most things - Amp Models, Cabinet models and effects. There are "Pro" versions of both the Guitar and Bass V-Amps (££) which are rack-mountable.

- Boss VF1 guitar/studio multi FX rack unit (££) SUPERB, but discontinued. You can get every sound you could ever want from this, and a load more. Amp simulators, mic simulators, vocoders, groove things, stereo delays, flangers, phasers and choruses, dynamic and automatic wahs all fully controlable and great sounding. straight into your soundcard (in stereo of course) and you can have every sound you've ever wanted. (author JamieH)

- Digitech GNX3000 (£££) - Floorboard style amp modeller and multi-effects. Very comprehensive with masses of new effects and amp models that weren't on earlier GNX units. Assignable expression pedal and optional "stompbox" operation mode. Can be hooked up to a computer for direct recording with supplied sequencer software... the unit has a phantom-powered mic preamp and supports 6 channels of simultaneous USB audio. The earlier GNX4 has even more pro-level recording features, mp3 sample playback and a better drum machine. (author Adrian Clark)

- Johnson J-Station (£) long discontinued, these can be picked up for peanuts and if you only have one guitar simulator in your setup, make it this one. The bass simulations are great, there's tons of very workable high-gain settings and even those tricky 'on-the-edge-of-breakup' sounds are convincing. There's even some good acoustic models (very useful for warming up the 'plasticy' sound of an electroacoustic). Metal-bodied too, just don't expect to find the floor controller for one. Ever. (Author: SmokingBeagle)

- Line6 PoD2 (£) Pretty much does the same as the V-AMP.


- Line6 PoD Xt / Bass Pod Xt (££) Full amp/cabinet modeller, and has USB as well as audio outputs. Like Behringer, there are "Pro" Rackmount versions for Guitar & Bass - only Line6 Pro versions have many more features (£££)


- Line6 Guitarport (£) USB Guitar input device, with great modelling capabilities. Can be tempermental with some ASIO drivers. (I think the GuitarPort is a bit "last year" now, though plenty still swear by them).


- Line6 Toneport UX1 / UX2 (££) The UX1 is a combined USB Soundacard and Guitar modeller. Single Guitar input and mic input. No phantom power for mics. The UX2 is as the UX1, but support 2x Guitar/Bass and 2xmics with the option of phantom powering the mics if needed. Comes bundled with Ableton 4 track sequencer software.



Guitar Processors (Software)

The Line6 GuitarPort and Toneport are hybrid outboard/software devices. Mainly we talking about VST plugins which are used in conjunction with software audio software.


- Amplitude (£££) - comprehensive Amp, Cabinet, Mic and effects modelling. There is a 'Lite' version which costs about £25 - often given away free with other software.


- Native Instruments Guitar Rig (£££) - does it all, natty foot controller as well



Microphones, DIs, Preamps

Direct Input (DI) Boxes

- Behringer DI100 (£) Since they came out Behringer's DI100 has become a staple of most livevenues, and a number of studios as well (I know a rehearsal/recording facility who bought fifty of them at once!). There's got to be a reason for this, and it's not just the stupidly low price (around the thirty quid mark); they do the job, plain and simple. It's got everything you need and nothing that you don't for getting keyboards, bass guitars, electroacoustics and so on into a mixing console without hum, noise or fuss. Every engineer should have one in the toolbox. (author: SmokingBeagle)

Microphones

- Audio Technica AT3035 (££)- great mic, large diaphram condensor makes it super sensitive and has an absolutely SUPERB frequency response making it brilliant for recording vocals. Gravely rock singers and female vocalists especially. Produces a brilliant crystal clear tone. (author JamieH)

- Behrigner B5 (£) - Small diaphram condensor with a surprisingly tight bottom end for such a small mic. Good for low range singers as it isn't over bright. Also a pretty good cabinet mic. (author: JamieH)

- Neumann KM184 MT Stereo Set (£££ mucho) - The package consists of a matched pair of Neumann small diaphragm condensor mics, plus conectors and screens. On Nylon string it records with a degree of detail that surpasses a Shure SM81 and also retains more dynamic clarity on steel strings. Stereo placement in an XY pair revelas a great deal more detail in the guitar and really brings the sound to the front. Not at all cheap, admittedly, but for critical recording in stereo of accoustics, these mics provide a very high quality of sound, build and packageing. Highly reccomended. (author: Evilmags) 

- Oktava MK012 (££) - Small diaphragm condenser from the legendary Russian mic company. Comes with detachable 10dB pad module, perfect for miking a guitar amp. There's also a version (££) which includes two extra capsules (hypercardioid and omni). (author: Adrian Clark)

- Rode NT1a (?) Good generalist large diaphragm condensor mic. Very accurate trebles, maybee needs a touch more warmth in the bass, but very sensitive and good at picking up accoustics, voice and guitar amps. (author: Evilmags)

- Rode NT3 (£) - A sweet sounding and versatile small-diaphragm condenser. Typical Rode bang-for-buck. (author: Adrian Clark)

- Rode V2 Valve Mic (£££) - Pricey (£350 on sale if you can find it) but WOW !!! What a massive difference in quality and useability.
The first big difference compared to the NT1a is the clarity and warmth this mic produces. It gets way more detail and is more sensitive to dynamics. (note this is not a mic I would reccomend to less experienced players, small diaphramme condesors will work better and pick up less string squeek). The other feature is the adjustable patterns, it goes from Omnidirectional to cardoid to figure of 8 and is adjustable between the three settings. This makes positioning a lot easier as you can microadjust the pattern to pucik up your instrument well. It takes longer to set up (external power suplly) but the quality is a big step up from the other microphones and if accoustic is important to youyr music it is a massive improvement on cheaper large diaphram mics. 10/10 from me for this one. (author: Evilmags)

- Shure SM57 (£) Bog standard instrument mic. Works better for micing cabinets and speakers than accoustic instruments or vocals. (author: Evilmags)

- Shure SM58 (£) The standard pub singers tool. Comes out of the box smelling of stale beer. Useful if singer moves a lot and can't get a clean take on a large diaphragm condensor. (author: Evilmags)

- Shure SM81 (££) Small diaphragm condenser instrument mic. Bit pricey, but can also be used for live work. Best option for noisy guitarists as it picks up over a more focused area than a big mic. (author: Evilmags)

Pre-amps



- ART MPA Gold valve preamp (£££) Unit is two rack spaces with a solid gold front and three controls, gain, colour and out volume. The operation is very simple. Soundwise it transforms microphones, output is totally adjustable, and unlike using a mixer or recording station to boost gain, there is no clipping, so there is also a lot less feedback, which can also be controlled via a notch filter. The preamp has two channels, which allows it to be used for stereo recording, and all in all I'm very impressed by the way it improves the quality of sound. It is also a great way of improving the tone of electro-acoustics and works well for direct recording and live into a PA use of archtop jazz guitars. All in all an excellent unit. (author: Evilmags)

- JoeMeek Three-Q (££) - The latest incarnation of Ted Fletcher's popular all-in-one unit... preamp, compressor and EQ. Warm-sounding and easy to use. (author: Adrian Clark)

- M-Audio DMP3 (££) Simple easy to use two channel analogue pre-amp with backlit output vu-meters and phantom power. It has a transparent and uncoloured sound to it and the hi cut and low cut switches come in handy when you are plugging in a variety of mics. The pre-amp is also good as a di to get your guitar (or bass) onto the computer. Inputs: Mic connections through XLR, standard TS connections for guitars. Outputs: Balanced or unbalanced jack connections to soundcard (TRS or TS). Great pre-amp for the price. (author: Daevid)



Monitors

- ESI nEar 04 (££) Very good frequency response, astounding bass response for such tiny speakers and really clear "shimmering" tops. Great where space is really at a premium or for using for portable applications, my mate uses his with a laptop in his room at uni, so takes up little space and is easy to pack up when he comes home. Not such a tight bottom end (leave it) as the Behringer Truth 2030s but they are half the size and a LOT more portable! Pretty cheap too really. (Author: JamieH)

Behringer Truth B2030A Active monitors (££) very heavy!! Excellent sound reproduction, awesome bottom end and super clear tops very neutral sound making them superb for mixing. At the price point they are not as super-cheap-value as most Behringer stuff but they ain't no cheap copies either they really are damn good monitors in their own right. (Author JamieH)

Samson Resolv 65 P (££)- I'd rather have had active monitors, but these coupled with a Samson Servo 170 is a wonderful combination, more than good enough for home studio applications. And loud enough to actually rattle windows too. (Author: SmokingBeagle)

Studio Software

There are many options in the sub £200 level, including Cubase, Sonar/Cakewalk, Cakewalk Project, Fruity Loops, and if you have a Mac, there's Logic Express or Garageband. GuitarTracks Pro for £49 looks like a good deal for the beginner but doesn't have MIDI support so you can't edit MIDI data or play MIDI based instruments. If you want free software you'll find Audacity or Kristal on the internet, or bear in mind there's a complete free set of software studio tools every month on the Computer Music magazine DVD.


- Ableton Live (£££) Live has a unique approach to music production driven by clips of sound. There is a Clip View and an Arrange View these are at the heart of the approach - selection and ordering of clips (audio & MIDI) and then arranging into a performance. Can act as a VST host or ReWire Master/Slave. Live can be played in real-time for performances, whilst ideal for dance music Live is not a genre specific tool. Runs on PCs & Macs. There is a "lite" version often given away with soundcards. (author Jalapeno)



- Adobe Audition (£££) a lot of people swear by Adobe Audition 1.5, about as simple and straighforward as these things come and probably the best bet for those on mid range systems and those new to using recording packages especially students as it mimicks pro-tools, features all the usual stuff but hides away all the difficult bits until you need them, also Abode Audition 2.0 (XP only) which has more of the "pro-tools" set of features and still the same simplicity to standard tasks. (author da8add1e)



- Audacity (£0) You need this. A great little tool to have on your system (runs on Mac/Linux/PC). You can record multitrack projects and it has some effects. A very useful audio editor for chopping up sound clips. Comes with a handy slower-downer for learning things by ear. (author Jalapeno)



- Band In A Box (£) While not really a recording piece of software it is a really good practice or performance aid. What it does do, it does very well - it enables you to create Audio or MIDI backing tracks with simple chord entry using the usual Tab chord symbols (e.g. Cbm = C flat minor); you can then play back your chord sequence using 100s of different styles. I know a semi-pro who takes a laptop with him for solo/duet gigs and uses it to play backing tracks. (author Jalapeno)



- Cakewalk GuitarTracks Pro (£)



- Cubase (££) Fairly easy to use and pretty quick. Good interface and on later versions the track control has become very user friendly with the nice little track settings window on the left of the page for each selected track makes fine tuning easy without having to flip between the mixer/track layour screen too much. Great and easy to use built in EQs are my favourite part of Cubase and what wins it for me over Sonar. (author JamieH)


- Finale Guitar (££) A notation/tab and playback tool (using GM MIDI voices). It does work but has a counter-intuitive way of working if what you really want is Tab. It isn't that easy with notation data entry either. (author Jalapeno)


- Fruity Loops (£/££) Very simple, flexible and powerful sequencer, especially for drum programming - an easy transition from hardware drum machines. Create patterns, then string 'em in order. Comprehensive effects section, sample handling, synths and automation, but not so hot for audio recording. Jolly cheap in basic form. (author Dot-Dot-Dot)



- Garageband (£0 / £) GarageBand for Mac comes as part of the entertainment suite ilife and is around £50 (or free depending on wht's bundled with OSX when you buy a new machione). A very versatile and usable package, it includes amp sim with effects and EQ, many drum and instrument loops (as well as a pencil tool for creating your own), audio editing, master fade out and more. Additional add on 'Jam Packs' are available to purchase for more loops and sounds. The interface is very simple to understand and many of the features are easy to learn, and the more experienced user will find GarageBand surprisingly usable for recording with microphones, USB keyboards and instruments. Overall a very powerful package for the beginner and intermediate user. (author: RGX420)



- Logic Express (££) - The Environment allows you to design the layout of your "virtual" studio from the ground up. The waveform editing on version 7 is much improved... almost to Protools levels. Mac-only, but integrates well with Reason and can make use of all Garageband samples and Apple Loops. Uses Audio Unit format plug-ins and EXS format sample files. (author: Adrian Clark)



- Kristal (£0) - Kristal is a great, completey free multi-track recorder. It supports ASIO cards and VST plugins, giving it amazing flexability. The live-in plugin lets you plug a soundsource straight into a software effect, letting you easily play with new sounds. Kristal is a full featured recording program, and is definately worth the pricetag. Kristal 2 is also due out next year, there will be a free version, and upgrades are likely to be VSTi, rewire and midi support. (author: chrispy108)



- Mackie Tracktion (££) Very intuitive program, that does not have the multiple window frenzy of other software. Simply connect an input device to a track and start recording. Tracktion has many built in effects including usable Chorus and Reverbs, as well as the Final Mix mastering VST. If you buy the CD version (as opposed to one of the bundled versions) it comes with a comprehensive list of VST plugins including: Samplitude SE sample player, Amplitude LE (a "lite" version) guitar processor, RMIV drum machine, Strings emulator, B3 Organ emulator, Soundfont player, and LinPlug Analogue soft syth. This is an excellent starter package and runs on PCs & Macs. Video support for Quicktime movies. (author Jalapeno)



- Propellerhead Reason (£££) This beauty is an extensive production studio in a box with drum machines, synths, loop players, smaplers, effects in abundance, and a set of mastering tools. The authors chose not to support VST plugins, but you can link Reason in real time to other software using the ReWire interface which does a similar thing. DOES NOT SUPPORT AUDIO RECORDING, which is most certainly not nice. There is a "lite" version often given away with soundcards. Runs on PCs & Macs. (author: Jalapeno)


- Sibelius G7 (££) Notation & Tab editor with GM MIDI playback - similar to PowerTab in features, but better printed output. Still not straightforward to use, but better than other similar products. (author: Jalapeno)

- Sonar (££) award winning software with immense power. Bundled with fewer FX than Cubase/Logic but arguably of higher quality and all the ones you'd use and none of the ones you wouldn't. Very intuitive to learn once you've sat down with the manual for a day. And it acutally has a printed manual. Like all top-end sequencers it won't run on an old tin box. Unique/cool Sonar 5 features are: the 64 bit audio engine (the others don't have this yet), convoltuion reverbs, pitch-correction for vocals/monophonic instruments, video - you can edit your video soundtrack (author Grünfeld)



(VST) Virtual Instruments

- GMedia M-Tron (<£) - For the retro at heart, this is probably the most respected Mellotron clone around. A more expensive package (£) features many more sounds than the basic version. (author: Adrian Clark)


- Korg Legacy Collection (££) The Korg Legacy Collection recreates the classic MS-20, Polysix and Wavestation synths in virtual form. The package also adds the Legacy Cell and MDE-X effects along with a USB controller keyboard modelled on an MS-20 but at only 84% the of the original size. If you like the sounds of the original synths you will love this package. It received fantastic reviews when it was released and it’s easy to hear why. A brilliant package now available at a bargain price. (author: Smithmar01)

- Kjaerhusaudio Classic Series effects (£0) Kjaerhusaudio offer a number of free VST effects which you can download from their website. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they can’t be any good if they are free.
They are fantastic quality and just as good (or even better) than many that you have to pay for. Their range covers all of the most used studio effects including a compressor, equaliser, reverb, limiter and delay as well as others. Visit their website now and give them a try.(author: Smithmar01)

- PSP Vintage Warmer (£) - A multiband compressor/limiter that's perfect for adding warmth and drive to single tracks or a full mix. Formats: RTAS, AU, VST. (author: Adrian Clark)



Other Gear

Alesis SR16 drum machine (££) Very nice drum tones, but I find it tricky to program in nice beats. But that might just be cos I am not too hot on drums!! (Author JamieH)

Behringer HD400 Hum Destroyer (<£) Essential piece of kit for any home studio, totally eliminates mains hum and all sorts of other interference. Dead cheap, passive and 2 channels, so simple but yet brilliantly effective. (Author: JamieH)

Peavey Deltafex (£) - one word - workhorse. This hasn't got the most stunning and realistic reverbs in the world, nor is it programmable, and (it's biggest failing) it doesn't have flashing lights or big LCD displays. However, if you want a very acceptable reverb setting at the tweak of a couple of knobs (easy...) this'll do the job. (Author: SmokingBeagle)


If you want more information - I strongly suggest you go and look at the huge amount of info on the SoundOnSound Forums:

PC -> General Chat and Help here, Extensive FAQs (highly recommended) here

Mac -> here - note this is not as busy and the chat, Logic & General Mac FAQs are mixed in.