Need some home recording recommendations...

[vi5]

I have a home basement studio. Guitars, drums, bass, keyboard, etc. I have a fairly high powered computer down there and currently I record through a mixing board, with a chord patch right into my computer (through the microphone input of the sound card. I use Acid Pro to record/mix/etc.

I'm looking at investing in a reasonably priced digital recording system but don't know where to begin and a lot of the on-line descriptions are more technical. What I'd like:

-relatively user friendly.
-Simultaneous multi track recording (ie. if I have 3 mics hooked up to my drums, I'd like each mic to be it's own track).
-Ability to transfer .wav files to computer for mixing on other programs if need be.


I'm looking for something under $750 so obviously we're talking fairly low end but I'm strictly a home recording guy and not looking for anything too hi fidelity or technical.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

[johnnie]

1. You don't want to record into your computer?

There is a lot of computer based hardware out there. I am still using the Echo Layla to run to the computer. I also have a Behringer Ultragain PRO-8 that connects to the Layla. I get 16 channels in.

Or are you thinking about just going to a digital recorder?

[vi5]

2. Well if there's a way to go into the computer....

that will yield multiple simultaneously recorded tracks then yes I'd prefer that. But I don't think there is. I want it to be a digital recorder but my set up now is digital but everything gets bled into one track when I record. I want to be able to play a drum track and have the kick drum, snare, and cymbals each record as separate tracks. Or if I'm recording with friends have their guitar/bass as one track and drums as another.

[greyl]

4. Sure there is, but you first need a proper soundcard / audio interface

that has multiple ins, then some multi-track recording software.
I think the main reason to opt for a stand-alone digital recorder is relative portability.
The largest drawback would be that you can't upgrade its hardware and software as extensively as you can with a dedicated music pc.
I can't knock pepperbear's recommendation at all, but there are less expensive options. ;)

[pepperbear]

3. Might I suggest MOTU'S DIGITAL PERFORMER Version 5.0..

....and one or more of their 8 channel interfaces? The mic pres aren't that bad at all, although you could bypass them and use your own. DP is EASY to use, and you can get 192k for a relatively low price. You're looking at spending about $1000-$1200 for re software and 1 interface. You can also get their 896 which is an 8 channel USB interface.


Hope this helps! I have a home studio as well and I swear by DP. :hi:

[qanda]

5. Digidesign just released the Digi 003

And you may be able to find a Digi 002 for a very good price. From what I've heard, the 003 doesn't have many substantial changes and so the 002 will probably suit your needs just fine. If you go with Pro Tools, you will have to make sure that your computer is compatible with whatever system you choose.

[EarlG]

6. I've been looking at digital recording interfaces

that will do what you're talking about. Here's one:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOPROJECTIO

It's a bit outside your preferred price range, but I think it works in the way you describe. The mixer plugs into your computer via a firewire cable (so you might need to get a firewire card, but I think they're pretty cheap).

If I've got this right, the mixer captures your audio as it's recorded, but it doesn't store it - it just transfers it directly to your computer's hard drive via the firewire cable.

This means you don't need a fancy sound card, because there's no audio going into the computer, just the data files that the mixer is producing as it records your sounds.

As you record, those data files are transferred in real time into any standard audio editing software on your computer, Pro Tools or whatever, where you can immediately start manipulating them.

I believe you can mix using the software or the mixer or a combination of both - it's got motorized faders so I think you can manipulate them from the software and vice versa.

It's got eight inputs although I don't know if you can record on all eight simultaneously. You probably can. At the very least, you should be able to record on four at the same time.

[johnnie]

7. This is for a firewire connection

You can connect this directly into your firewire connection and bring 8 channels in. The OP has a mixer so he would just connect the direct outs of the mixer in to the inputs of this and record directly on to the computer.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-FIREPOD-10Channel-FireWire-Interface-with-Cubase-LE?sku=184131