What school are you going to? How much? How long is the program?

Since the decline of the record industry, many recording studios have found that there is more money in running a school (however good or bad) than actually recording bands/artists. They continually pump out barely qualified grads into an industry that has no jobs left. If you have a passion for recording, learn how to do it yourself via internet tutorial and forums. The only thing you will get from a school (which a few exceptions) like that is like-minded people and maybe a touch of theory.

MICS:
Vocals - i hate the SM58 for vocals also, but it's always nice to have one around for whatever. SM7 is great as said above, I'm using Rode NT1A right now, though I'd like to switch.

Micing drums at home: http://www.kimcheerecords.com/articles/drums/ - you can get pretty damn good recordings being minimal and simple.


SOFTWARE:

PRO TOOLS ON A MAC.. there is no substitute!!!

Go to http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/specialdeals/mac and buy a refurbished mac for cheap. Then ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD protools 9 when someone cracks the ilok requirement, if not, BUY IT. I can't stress enough, this is the most important part of your creative process. The key in any creative pursuit is keeping the distance between an idea and a product as small as possible. For example, if you sit down to record at your Roland console with an idea, spend 20 minutes trying to find an FX setting then realize there's a problem with storage, blah blah blah, two hours go by and you have nothing done, the idea has lost it's flare, and you go find something else to do. You can say goodbye to (most) tech problems with a mac/pro tools combo, and get down to the important part.

It's not that hard to learn. Believe me you do NOT WANT those recording consoles that are self-sufficient. Pro Tools 9 runs on third party hardware and standalone now (!), so get it and get a decent preamp, someone else can help with that as I don't know much about preamps. BUT they matter A LOT for quality.


Headphones:
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-MDR7506/ - GREAT for recording and listening, the bleed is minimal and the quality is excellent. Had these for 3 years and no trouble.

http://store.apple.com/ca/product/TV972VC/A - a touch expensive, but these headphones are absolutely fantastic. They are the closest you will get to a 'stereo system' sound. I had to go back and listen to my favourite records again because everything felt like it was the first time.

Hope this helps

(*thinking*)... Yeah, I guess so. But if you are going to buy an external one, you're just left with a clunky Roland interface and clumsy editing capabilities.

You're probably typing on a computer right now with more than enough power and you can download Audacity for free and be way better off in my opinion.


There are a bunch of decent articles online on micing drums with minimal equipment. For me, there are a ton of variables down to that kind of drums they are and how the drummer physically hits the drum heads. It is a lot of "maybe if I try this...." followed by "well, maybe if I try this..."

I am going to be out drinking much of the day starting in a couple hours, but I will try to answer all questions you ask. It might just take some time.

This is a really good point. Real recording studios have been dying for a decade and the good engineers have nowhere to go.

Definitely very very good input. I'm looking for a wide variety of opinions/options (so anyone else reading, feel free to chime in as well).


I actually haven't considered the Mac/protools route.

Here's a good one. Just the Mac and cheapest (best quality for least money) protools, how much we talkin?

The school I'm going to is the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma.
http://acm.uco.edu


Honestly don't know too much about schools like that, but as I understand it, they're a good school. I believe someone from The Flaiming Lips is an instructor and they have other well known instructors.

As far as after school (it's a two year course for an A.A.C degree), as far as music goes I'm planning on recording and independently releasing my music to my heart's content. I'm a musician, guitarist singer songwriter blah blah, my music is everything to me, but I absolutely hate record companies and have absolutely 0 interest in becoming the next seether or nickelback or whoever whatever. I just want to be able to record quality music, copy right it (but allow for free copy and distribution like torrents and such - just no modifications), and release it independently for free download on the internet, or sale in CD form. Get a band together and play.

If I can also offer a production service to other bands, I will. I'll get together a solid recording studio, and produce demos and albums for local (wherever I live) bands.

That is my plan imo. Not looking to "make it big". Just in it for the love of music and hopefully be able to make some income as a side benefit.

I would disagree with this. For home recording, and especially just getting going, I would pour all available money into microphones and preamps.

Definitely, pro tools on a mac is awesome, but at this stage in your process that much money has way more benefit elsewhere.

Just my opinion.

The editing capabilities on the Roland is something I don't think I've really considered. To tell the truth I actually didn't know it's apparently not that great of a unit. I bought it on ebay on sort of an impulse, and didn't really do much searching around for reviews on it, which is something I actually do with pretty much everything ... I'm kinda gung ho about looking up reviews on **** I'm looking to buy. .... see I was surfing ebay and sniped it trying to get a real good deal on solid equipment, ... and I mean I thought I had gotten a good deal on it. I paid 240 for it. I don't actually know how much it's worth, I had assumed it was worth more tbh.


well. After THAT tl;dr lol


I actually do have Audacity, and I do have an m-audio audiophile sound card/interface but I'm not sure what else I need other than a mic to record onto my computer through it, and I think I would need a new computer specifically for music as this one is my poker computer.

NTR when you say get protools and a Mac, you gotta get the protools hardware right? Or can you just run the software on the Mac?

**** now I might be having to try to sell this damn Roland.






If I do though that's ok. That's what I gotta do, just figure out which route I wanna take and go from there.

If I gotta ditch the Roland I'll sell it and go with a better route imo.

I think I probably would prefer the computer route honestly. I was just so adamant about the Roland cause I had already spent money on it and already had it.

... but I mean I'm still open to other ideas. Like a different stand alone digital recorder ... if it's a better route than the Roland and computer.



NTR definitely right though about the creative process, getting the tracks out of your head and onto hard disk as quickly and easily/effortlessly as possible. If the Roland is unintuitive and clumsy as **** then it would be frustrating and detrimental in that regard.

This thread is going pretty good so far

You could just download protools 9 if/when it comes out on TPB or something, so that's free (but you should buy it!). If they can't crack it, its $629. That being said, all pro tools interfaces (hardware) come included with the software. I bought a Digi 003 Rack (http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/Digi_...r-p-22790.html), which is fantastic, although I wish I had better preamps.

When I say there is no substitute for Mac/protools, I mean that in my experience, that combination has had the least amount of technical problems and is the fastest interface/software combo I've ever worked with. I've tried Logic/Cakewalk/Cubase/Nuendo et al (on pc too) and nothing seems even comparable. Whether recording your own stuff or a clients' -- nobody wants to wait around while you try to figure out some never-before-seen error. Also, that combo will never need an upgrade really. It comes with sick native software, and you can pretty much download every other pro audio app and it's instantly functional.

Yeah I was aware that the software came with the hardware but I think you have to have some sort of digidesign hardware to run pro tools don't you?





Agree 100%


I was reading an inteveriew with Trent Reznor in some magazine a few years ago and I think they were asking him if recording is ever frustrating or if there was something about it he didn't like or something, and his response was: he absolutely cannot stand it when he's trying to record an idea or something and equipment is malfunctioning or some similar problem.

In my limited recording experience I have to say I definitely feel his pain. Soooo ****ing horrible trying to put down a lick or something before you forget it or lose the tempo to it or something and your **** is ****ing up or just inaccessible for whatever reason and you can't record it.

That is definitely one of the worst ****ing things I believe. I mean it's not even so much that it's disruptive to the recording process (which it is indeed and it's very frustrating), but it's like a ****ing bully coming in and stealing your creativity away from you almost. Like "oooooh that's really awesome and you really dig that huh?? well here, check this out.

BAM!!!

haha made you forget it! nah nah nah


:P

You will be editing way more than you will be recording, probably. Imagine trying to move parts around in a track using the Roland compared to zoom-cut-drag using a mouse.

You're ready! Plug in a start experimenting.

I actually haven't used any Roland in any way so can't really imagine it to compare it but am infinitely familiar with cut and drug and mouse stuffs






I just plug the mic directly into it?


It's one of these imo.

sadly i have nothing to contribute here but my

gl sir

guitar strum

(but liked your old avatar better )

If you are looking for headphones for mixing, Sony MDR V6 is the obvious choice. Cheap, durable, and neutral sound.

If you are looking for headphones in lieu of the monitors, any of the Ultimate Ears custom headphones should be good. I have their Triple.Fi 10 Pros which are not made for on-state/reference use, but they are superb. They are also expensive though, so you probably could just get some good monitors instead. Plus they are really meant for on-stage.


Although mixing on headphones isn't the best idea, but the Sony's should be good for reference.

just build your own, it's much cheaper.

you said period lol.

well the deal with the monitors/headphones is, I actually need a set of headphones for the class, so its an area I really can't skimp and cut costs on, and so I was hoping I could just spend the money on a very good set and be able to use them for mixing and mastering and get by without monitors ... but it kind of sounds like that's not really a feasible solution which is a beat

OP - would buying a Guitar Hero kit suit your needs?

Then I'd look at getting a pair of Ultrasones or Sennheisers, also the AKG 701 seems to work really well. Bottom line is mixing with headphones is hard because you never know how well it will sound on speakers. You'll probably have to spend $400-$500 for really good headphones that you can use for mixing. Although if you can get a good pair of monitors, then the Sonys shouldn't be a problem.

Do I realistically need to go expensive expensive expensive on the head phones? I mean they are needed for the class and definitely have to be good quality, but I'm not sure how imperative that is. I'm not exactly sure what all I'll need them for there.

Depends on what you need them for. $100 headphones will be good, but definitely lack detail that you really want considering the field you are going into. If you can get IEMs, then I'd just buy the Triple Fi 10s. You can get them for about $250 (def. check eBay,) they are well balanced with bass that is pretty deep and very well defined. Exceptional highs and mids. Obviously they are portable, but they block out noise, which might be unacceptable for your situation. Used to be $400 new, so pretty much the best bang for your buck, but as I said, they are isolated vs. having an open headphone.


Plus, most of these headphones use with your MP3 player, but you gotta make sure it wouldn't require a separate amp. You might just have to do some research on your own to find what fits your needs. You can PM me if you'd like with some options, and I can try to give you my best opinion.


Up to you how much you want to spend. Just don't buy any **** like Bose or Beats; you'll end up paying $200+ for a $50 headphone at best.


I've spent plenty of money on headphones, the first time you'll always ask yourself if it is really worth it to pay $300+ for a pair, but once you do, you'll wonder why it took you so long to actually do so.