Topic: Low budget, temporary solutions?

[madamage]

Ok, complete noob here.

I'm considering getting into the fine field of taping, but I have a very limited budget.

I mainly want to record my school band, record several of my friend's bands, and possibly for making movies.

I'm making a little money off of movies I make regularly with friends of mine and i have some money put away, but even buying the Studio Projects c4s at $300 will be stretching me.

My questions are, can I use my computer and lcd with a soundblaster live 24-bit edition to make the same quality recordings?

I also have and ipod mini and am hoping and praying that ipl will release a line in recording feature for it.

I'm hoping to make enough money off my first few shows to buy a recorder and other such things, but for now, can I get by with the mics, a computer and patch cables?

All help and advice appriciated.

[hhf32]

If $300 is you range then your probably limited to a JB3 and some minimics with a battery box. You'll still get halfway decent recordings. You can pick up a JB3 for around $150 and mics with battery box for around the same.

[madamage]

What I mean is, could I use my computer at first?

Power is not and issue and I have a shuttle box so transoprtation isn't too bad.

I should have more money soon, but there are some gigs coming up that I want to record.

Could I get by right now, and if so, what in addition to the mics would I need?

[Brian Skalinder]

Read the Start Here forum's Getting Started thread.  You'll need:

[1]  mics
[2]  power to the mics
[3]  gain
[4]  analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
[5]  storage device

More details in the thread referenced above.  Then check the I have a budget of... to identify gear in your price range that provides the capabilities from the above list you're currently missing.  I'm not familiar with the SBLive soundcard, but I assume your SBLive card and laptop will cover [4-5].  So that means you'll need [1-3].

My questions are, can I use my computer and lcd with a soundblaster live 24-bit edition to make the same quality recordings?

Quality is relative.  Same quality recordings as...what?  Just about recording setup - even expensive ones - requires compromises of one kind or another.  In this case, your budget will dictate your compromises.  Does that mean you can make recordings with which you're happy?  Probably.  Does that also mean you'll make recordings on par with gear fitting a budget 10x yours?  No.

[itook2much]

I'm hoping to make enough money off my first few shows to buy a recorder and other such things...

If by this you mean the live shows you'll be recording, that's not gonna go down well here.  We don't sell, we share.

If you mean that you're friends will pay you to record their bands, that's different.

[hhf32]

What I mean is, could I use my computer at first?

Power is not and issue and I have a shuttle box so transoprtation isn't too bad.

I should have more money soon, but there are some gigs coming up that I want to record.

Could I get by right now, and if so, what in addition to the mics would I need?

You could pick up a UA5 (preamp/a/d converter, also supplies phantom power) for around $200 and maybe some superlux mics for around $125. Then you'd need recording software for the computer, cables for the mics, a stand, shockmounts?

[madamage]

I'm hoping to make enough money off my first few shows to buy a recorder and other such things...

If by this you mean the live shows you'll be recording, that's not gonna go down well here.  We don't sell, we share.

If you mean that you're friends will pay you to record their bands, that's different.

My friends and my band at school are paying me. I would never sell someone elses work. Sorry for that confusion.

[ScottT]

some superlux mics for around $125. Then you'd need recording software for the computer, cables for the mics, a stand, shockmounts?

FWIW, the Superlux SMK-H8K kit includes shockmounts, t-bar, and windscreens.

I think the Superlux> UA-5 combo would be a great way to start since you can use your computer to record.  You can then pick up a JB3 or other portable recorder down the road.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Not many folks here use the MD or HiMD format, but for a cheap device, it is perfect:

You can get a recorder and mics for $308 here:  http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-PODCAST-7

Terry

[itook2much]

I'm hoping to make enough money off my first few shows to buy a recorder and other such things...

If by this you mean the live shows you'll be recording, that's not gonna go down well here.  We don't sell, we share.

If you mean that you're friends will pay you to record their bands, that's different.

My friends and my band at school are paying me. I would never sell someone elses work. Sorry for that confusion.

No problem, just wanted to clarify.
I'm one who uses Hi-MD, but that'll actually cost you a bit more than a JB3 (for the recorder at least).  I don't use a pre tho, just mics > battery box > Hi-MD.

Good luck.  Check out the Archive, & make the Search feature your friend.  This place is a wealth of information.

[setboy]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51142.0

[BayTaynt3d]

I'm hoping to make enough money off my first few shows to buy a recorder and other such things...

If by this you mean the live shows you'll be recording, that's not gonna go down well here.  We don't sell, we share.

If you mean that you're friends will pay you to record their bands, that's different.

My friends and my band at school are paying me. I would never sell someone elses work. Sorry for that confusion.

On such a small scale, you probably won't have a problem, but FYI... If the band is playing copyrighted pieces/arrangements, which they probably are, then technically, you can sell the performance to anyone (even to the people who played the piece). Just thought that was worth noting.

[madamage]

Ok, after of a hell of a time securing the capital and setting up a cd deal that will mass produce cds in my area, I'm finally ready to buy my rig.

I believe my final choices are Studio Projects c4s for recording, and Yamaha's MG10/2 Stereo Mixer for phantom and preamp and my own computer for recording.

This comes out to 400$ plus shipping and handling.

Now all I need is a mic stand, two mic cables, and 1/4" to min connectors for the pc-mixer connection.

What are good mic stands that I could use? And will radioshack have all the cables I'll need?