Quality home recording...

[justforfun]

Hello there in Audioland,
Let me first introduce myself, I am 40 years old, professional engineer, and have had music as my main hobby for 30 years.

About 20 years ago I first ventured into recording, recording and producing a demo with one of the bands I played in at the time. Great experience. This was done on a Tascam 1/2" 8 track, and the sound we got was pretty good on reel to reel tape. I have participated in quite a few recordings since, mostly as a session musician.

With the price of equipment going down, and space and means available, I'm now considering (finally) getting a home studio. What has kept me from this in the past is the high price of admission to get good sounding gear (the 8 track Tascam was 4000 USD+ back in 1984 over here in Europe...).

My goals are as follows:
- I want to record myself and friends with good quality (2 musicians at the time). Mostly sax, trumpet, guitar, acoustic bass, light percussion and voice. Jazz is main style.
- I want to use a MIDI keyboard and scoring software, doing my own arrangements and tunes, and produce sheet music and demos
- Record small jazz groups live, direct to two track (remote)
- Mix down and master the music to a presentable form, for release on CD

I have been contemplating something like the following:
- Full spec. MiniMac running Logic Express
- 88 Key USB MIDI controller, i.e. M-audio
- Apogee MiniMe and MiniDAC USB
- Royer 121 mic (for trumpet and sax)
- AT 4050 mic
- The small Dynaudio active monitors

I have access to Shure SM57, 58 and 58 Beta through the band I play in.

This will set me back close to 6000 USD, which is OK.

So to my questions for you experienced guys:
- Do you think this is a reasonable plan, or do you have other suggestions
- Suggestion for matched mics for live recordings
- Is USB transfer reasonably stable?
- Would I need a mixer in addition to the Mac?

And yes, it will be just for fun...

Regards
Svein
Norway

[dpd]

Svein:

What about the room(s)? Where are you going to record? Mix? Master? You'll need to spend time and money on room acoustics - not a trivial expense.

Also, if you are going to commercially release CDs, consider hiring a Mastering Engineer to finish your recordings.

[chazmuz]

Sounds like a great basic setup to me. I once setup 2 cheap vocal mics in our college band room and recorded directly to cassette tape. Mic placement is very important... I had an upright bass, jazz drum kit, upright piano, and myself on trumpet. You'd have been amazed at how closely we sounded to some of the old Blue Note recordings out of the Van Gelder studios. People don't believe me when I tell them that.

Mic placement has as much to do with getting a good recording as does the gear when you're dealing with acoustic instruments, in my opinion. I think you're on the right track. It does help tremendously to have a good rooom to record in. The room we recorded in was the college band room, and it had great acoustics for a small ensemble.

As for matched mics, check out the AKG C0414 B-XL II-ST (horn players love these!) and also Earthworks TC20 or QTC30. They aren't cheap by any stretch, but they sound awesome!

[Ernest828]

I`m a MAC person so...

It sounds like you need something with a small footprint that will do just about everyhting for you.

I`d get the Apple Powerbook with Digital Performer and the MOTU Traveler. That`ll take care of your recording needs from recording to mastering.

The Mini Me is a good idea as well.

The mic that I think of first for flexibility and price is the AT4050.

I would get something like Finale or Sibelius for notation, it depends on what program you prefer and as far as master keyboard, I would go with one of the lower priced Rolands like the FP5.

All this will set you back about $5000. You were not very specific with budget but let us know what you decide.

Good luck,Ernest