Author Topic: Recording Software & Hardware (Read 4475 times)

ChrisMetal · « **on:** October 13, 2006, 02:19:40 PM »

Right guys, need some more help. the floyd rose won't be going on for a while, I might just stick with the current for a while.

What I need help on though is setting a up a good high quality recording studio through my PC. I'm looking for suggestions on software, hardware etc. I've been looking at cubase 4 and Creative X-fi Elite Pro for a soundcard as it has inputs for guitar and midi in and such. But suggestions are more than welcome for what I should get, as you all seem to get great sounds through recording...

Currently I have a Boss 1600CD, and while its a great piece of kit cause its portable, It just doesn't give off the studio quality I'm looking for and sounds, somewhat artificial. It may be a case of that I haven't learnt how to use it properly, but being a digital multitrack I'm guessing that might have something to do with it. And well the drums sound fake for the most part, I'm not a drummer and so I need realistic drum loops and samples that sound real too.

Cheers Chris.

sgmypod · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2006, 03:16:56 PM »

podxt, xt live, new gearbox(comes with module), guitarport, tone port...I love the line 6 stuff records through usb and works great can do re amping etc....... also friend had a vamp(would still need soundcard) but don't sound bad for under £100 or even better have seen the upgraded(40amps more effects etc) maudio blackbox again direct recording. All of above sound great, some even put a valve pedal imbetween to add even more life....but think personnally they sound great

obviously there are external and internal souncards(if you want seperate)...have used the maudio 2496(great card low latency, high def sound and only about £50), have used the new firewire series they use great cards great sound affordable too...same with the terratec stuff.

Drums I use BFD(more rock end), toontrack ezdrummer is great too, the bigger dfh supperior is supposed to be good too.

And if you want controller keyboard I use a CME one has fader to control cubase etc for mixing, not bad price is touch sensitive...and I upgraded mine to have a uf400 inside which is a 24bit 192khz firewire soundcard

gingataff · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2006, 03:27:27 PM »

I use a pod XTL through a presonus firebox (which goes up to 24bit/96k if you fancy doing DVD audio!), I like the sounds from the analogue outs into the firebox better than the direct USB sound for some reason although the diffrence is very subtle, and I use apples garageband even though I have Cubase, as johnnymac found out cubase takes a bit of learning but GB is really easy to use (but only if you have a mac of course!) and comes with loads of loops and VSTs. I will get around to figuring cubase out of of these days. I've also got an edirol midi keyboard which was cheap and big and is usb powered so no need for another power socket, it's currently in my cupboard though as it gets in the way of the computer on my desk for day to day use. I have to say I love Line6s new gearbox and use it all the time, I don't touch the controls on my xtlive apart from wah/volume/whammy pedal.

sgmypod · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2006, 09:11:03 PM »

gingastaff, you bought the gearbox plugin?

gingataff · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2006, 04:24:17 AM »

No, I've got the free gearbox software that lets you edit the XT using the computer instead of the XTs own controls, it also allows you to manage your patches and store them on the computer instead of the XTs memory (so I have way more patches than I could ever possibly use!), it has a built in metronome and mp3/wav player that has a half speed feature. I think its also for use with Guitarport but I haven't subscribed to that.

The plug-ins aren't of much interest to me other than the vocal ones (should I ever decide to become a singer!)

sgmypod · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2006, 05:40:10 PM »

guitar port is great

Jonesy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2006, 07:32:38 PM »

I dont get half the stff your all saying im affraid lol...Im also thinking of getting some recording software/ hardware...where could I start to understand it more?

(sorry for the hijack)

Rory,

_tom_ · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2006, 07:54:45 PM »

I've never had a problem with my V-Amp 2 for recording direct into the soundcard. The software I use is either Cubasis or Audacity.

sgmypod · « **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2006, 11:26:02 PM »

vamp2 are good, but would go for the maudio black box as are only £100 now and upgraded also can either be used with a soundcard or as a usb soundcard http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBlackBox-main.html,

and I use cubase...but can even get free ones now, try computermusic magazine (monthly) comes free with software to start recording and tips on how to record

Dakine · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2006, 11:43:44 PM »

Quote from: Jonesy

I dont get half the stff your all saying im affraid lol...Im also thinking of getting some recording software/ hardware...where could I start to understand it more?

(sorry for the hijack)

Rory,

depends if ya want computer based or standalone.

Standalone like my Zoom MRS8 digital 8 track (for sale btw, shameless plug :)), partly standalone like the BlackBox I have (just usb to computer and record on whatever program ya want, free or mega pro.), computar based 'more' like a Line6 Toneport (also usb based but with controls for amps,cabs,pedals on computer screen for manipulation by mouse), total computer based using a pc audio card or interface.

Jonesy · « **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2006, 05:57:07 PM »

Right, thanks Dakine

Is there generally any difference in recording quality between the different types, or does it just depend which one you get?

Rory,

sgmypod · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2006, 06:16:54 PM »

Depends what you get, what type of budget and are you wanting pc or outboard style recording