What do you record with?

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Permalink Reply by Mathieu Benoit on August 18, 2008 at 5:09pm

I do scoring for TV and Film, and I find Cubase is a great DAW for composers.

Interface: RME FIreface 800
Software: Cubase 4
OS: WinXP Pro

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Permalink Reply by Rico Suave on August 18, 2008 at 7:44pm

I've got a Kodak EasyShare that takes video. That's as sophisticated as I've ever gotten.

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Permalink Reply by Adrian Nadeau on August 18, 2008 at 9:57pm

Hey,

I have not gotten into any recording... yet. But I think I am ready to give it a go soon. Even just to play around and have some fun. I bought an Interface a few months ago (E-MU 0404 Audio/MIDI Interface). I tried setting it up on my Linux (Ubuntu) OS and didn't have much luck with it. I actually messed up the entire sound on the system so I decided to wait till I can get a Windows OS setup on a different system. I would love any help and/or suggestions once I do get it all setup. It came with a bunch of software (none that I have ever used). Here is everything:

Interface: E-MU 0404 USB Audio/Midi Interface
Software (Included with Interface): Sonar LE, Cubase LE, Wavelab lite, melodyne, Amplitube LE, SFX Machine and Proteus VX
Operating System: Windows XP

Thanks,
Adrian

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Permalink Reply by Adrian Nadeau on August 18, 2008 at 10:21pm

Oh yeah, I also have a set of Roland TD-3 Electronic Drums to hopefully do some funky stuff with...

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Permalink Reply by James Babcock on August 20, 2008 at 4:02pm

Your card looks like a great card to get started with. Just remember when you set it up with your Cubase LE that you will have to select the E-MU card as your input/output source. Most motherboards have onboard sound that can wreak havoc with outboard cards if it isn't set up right. I just have my onboard sound disabled in my BIOS on my Digital Audio Workstation login. I have a dual boot Win XP Pro system set up. One is for general use, and the other is my DAW. It just saves a lot of hassle with disabling services and hardware that is not necessary when I am recording to have a dual boot system.

Rock on,
James

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Permalink Reply by Rico Suave on August 22, 2008 at 4:20am

Okay, so the time has come for me to seriously get interested in this stuff, so naturally I have a few questions.

What do you mean by interface? I really have no idea what you're talking about here.

Is the software the program you're using to edit the recordings (like GarageBand? Or Acid? Or ProTools? Like those?)

I'm quite uninformed, and would like some advice.

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Permalink Reply by James Babcock on August 22, 2008 at 6:23am

By interface I mean the piece of hardware that you plug your microphones into, that plugs into your computer. Most entry level interfaces will have two microphone preamps, more expensive ones have eight preamps like the Presonus Firepod that I use. As a drummer you would probably be better served saving your money and buying an interface that has eight microphone inputs to begin with. You will rapidly outgrow an interface with only two microphone inputs. I use all eight inputs on my Firepod with this sort of recording setup:
1-Kick Mic
2-Snare Mic
3-Tom 1 Mic
4-Tom 2 Mic
5-Tom 3 Mic
6-Tom 4 Mic
7-Overhead Condenser Mic Left
8-Overhead Condenser Mic Right

You are correct, the software is the program that you use in conjunction with your interface to record, and then edit/mix your drum parts. Most all interfaces that you buy come with a very good software package to get you started on your way to learning recording. There is really no need to purchase software initially, what comes with your interface will more that do the job.

I have (hopefully!) attached a picture of how a Firepod could be used to record an entire band live. Hope this helps, any more questions please ask away. I am not a guru by any means, but I can certainly share what I have learned.

Rock on,
James

Attachments:

• firepoddiagram-big.jpg, 187 KB

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Permalink Reply by Adrian Nadeau on August 22, 2008 at 7:59am

That's awesome, great information and image James. I'm not quite to that point yet but it will come in handy some day.

Cheers,
Adrian

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Permalink Reply by Malcolm Boyce on August 22, 2008 at 8:51pm

Interface: MOTU 2408MK3
Software: Sonar 5 PE
OS: Win XP Pro

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Permalink Reply by James Babcock on August 24, 2008 at 2:08pm

Sounds like a great rig! What do you use for Microphone pre-amps and how many mic's do you use generally when you record? I have been looking at upgrading to a unit that has the ADAT lightpipe like your MOTU unit has.
James

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Permalink Reply by Malcolm Boyce on August 24, 2008 at 11:03pm

I have 3 Behringer ADA8000 feeding the MOTU. For now, all works fine, but I would like to upgrade to something like the MOTU 8Pre, or some of the Presonus units.

The MOTU has been a great core interface, and one that I don't see outgrowing anytime soon.

As far as "how many" microphones for drums, it really depends on the session. If time and budget allows, some experimentation may happen, but usually it's set up with what you know works, and go with it.

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Permalink Reply by Malcolm Boyce on September 15, 2008 at 12:57am

Here's a pic of a setup for an overdub session. One mic for Bass Drum, one for each Tom, two on Snare (top & bottom), one on Hats, and a pair of OH mics.

This is a basic setup for pop/rock music and if tracking to individual tracks, allows you to choose what you want when you get down to mixing. More mics doesn't necessarily mean more always get used. Sometimes you may not use some of the close mics, sometimes you may need everything.

Things get really interesting when recording in a great live room, where you can use the response of the room sound to your advantage by adding distant mics to the list. As well, when time and money isn't an issue, you can get into multiple mic setups... Up to as crazy as this:

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