MM3 STUDIOS

Archive for February, 2010

I’m a bass player, not really in a band, and I’m getting a drum machine soon and want to do some recording with that and my bass. Would I be better off getting a four track, or maybe some home recording software? I have Windows Vista by the way. Any suggestions?

I would start off with a basic Audio Interface such as this:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-FIREBOX-24bit96kHz-FireWire-Recording-System?sku=184133

This will provide you the preamps to directly record your bass and the MIDI input/output to connect your drum machine via MIDI cable.

I’d also recommend a Direct Box, which will allow you to record a clean sound from your instrument to the Audio Interfaces preamps:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live-Wire-Solutions-SPDI-Passive-Direct-Box-with-Attenuation-Pad?sku=150449

This package also come bundled with some recording software that will be more than enough to satisfy your needs as you start out.

You could also add a studio mic to this setup as well using the additional mic preamp and phantom power provided by the Presonus Firebox. All you need is an available Fire Wire connection to your computer and you should be set.

I have a drum machine that costs me less than $200,I have experience in making beats too.I’ve made beats with music engineers alot,and ppl love my music.I need cheap but good quality equipment.Help from the pro’s please!!?

Here are some of the basic requirements.

A computer with USB2 and /or Firewire Connection
recording software, such as Pro Tools, Cubase, Sonar etc.
An Audio Interface – mBOX, Tascam US1641 etc.
Keyboard Controller
Soft Synths (VSTi) Virtual Instruments

For more in depth info visit: http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

I’m looking to upgrade my recording equipment for transfering vinyl and tapes to digital. I’m currently using Vegas PC audio software and using iTunes to convert the .wma files to .mp3. I’d like to maybe upgrade to equipment that records in real time and one where I can do seamless/gapless recordings (for live shows) and create the track cuts on the fly. I seem to always have tiny silent gaps between tracks with my current setup. I’m not rich, so I’m looking for some affordable options (definitely under $1,000). Thanks!

Spend the money get the ProTools, they always upgrade the software and you will be amazed what you can do with it.

I just need to know what i need to buy to make a home recording studio. i am a songwriter/singer and i write great songs, and i have the perfect beats in my head. I was thinking of getting cubase 5. i have no equipment at all. can someone help me?

This is a great time to begin a project like this. With just a computer and a few pieces of gear you can make a great sounding home recording studio.

What you’ll need:
- A computer
- Audio Interface
- Basic Recording Software (bundled with most Audio Interfaces)
- Large Diaphragm Condenser Mic

Assuming you already have a home computer, I’d recommend starting with a USB Audio Interface such as this one:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Fast-Track-Pro-Mobile-USB-Audio-MIDI-Interface?sku=241710

This gives you everything you need to get started with your recording including:
- phantom power supply (powers the condenser mic)
- microphone preamp (boosts the weak mic level signal)
- analog / digital converters (converts electrical mic signal to a digital form that computers can understand)
- basic recording software (for recording your tracks on the computer)

Moving on I’d go with a large diaphragm condenser mic for recording your vocals:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AudioTechnica-AT2020-Large-Diaphragm-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone?sku=270620

In general for a mic — I’d recommend a large diaphragm condenser style because of its sensitivity to the human voice. A dynamic mic, for example, would still work but it would lose some of the nuances of your performance.

This setup should get you started… spending much more on mics and preamps will probably not bring much better results unless your studio is an acoustically treated space.

If my initial assumption was wrong and you still need a computer too, then I’d recommend getting as much RAM as possible. This will help your recording sessions go smoothly.

I am an accomplished musician with limited to no knowledge of modern home computer digital recording techniques. I want to record compostions of high audio quality (mostly synth washes,piano,keys, percussion , werid noises-ambient stuff.) I just need help getting started. What do I need – recording software? Sequencer (Don’t know what it is…)? Any other hardware? MIDI business? Certain types of microphones? How do they plug in to the computer? What media form can a finished, mixed, and mastered composition end up as? I am not seeking a professional career yet but desire high-quality sound . I just need a program with dozens and dozens of tracks; built-in effects, eventual ease of use, possible internal drum machine. My old band mates are making home recordings with relative ease on their computer – while I lack proficiency with computers and realize my days of tascam 4-tracks are over. I am desperately seeking a little guidance and enlightenment! Any help is deeply appreciated.

I’m going to suggest two separate systems for you. The first will be a sequencing program that will allow you to do some very realistic drums, sampling and has all the keyboards and synths you could ever want.

The second program is a simple tracking/editing/mixing program that will allow you to mix the music you made with the first program to the vocals, guitars, etc that you add with the second program.

The first program is called REASON. This program is great for sequencing and has tons of pianos, synths, efx, etc. We use it quite a bit at my facility. Check out my partners page at www.myspace.com/fullclipaudio to listen to tracks he made with this program – you’ll be amazed.

Anyway, this program can give you as much or as little as you want to tackle. Also, you can get all kinds of stuff online to study how other people put their songs together.

The second program I would suggest is a hardware/software combo called a Digi002. It is made by Digidesign and the program you would be using would be Protools. I recommend protools for beginners because it only has two screens. They wrote that program for sound guys who live and work with real equipment and wanted the transition to be simple.

The nice thing about the digi002 is that you’ll plug your microphone into it because it acts as the interface to the computer.

Microphones are tough because everyone has a mic that is perfect for them. The most expensive microphone isn’t always the best choice. I have dozens of clients that wont work with anything but a SM57 ($79.00).

Quite frankly, I would cough up some cash and book a few hours in a studio that has a large microphone collection. Ask to be recorded on a range of different microphones. Take special note of which ones work for you. It will be well worth the money to learn it that way rather than trial and error.

It wouldn’t hurt to partner up with a local studio. Lots of people I work with write most of their stuff at home and bring it to me for a final mix. It can really cost a lot of money to set up a good monitoring system and build and acoustically treat a room. Take advantage of the people that have already built those things – it will be well worth the money.

Finally, with those tools you can easily produce high quality CD’s just like everyone else.

www.myspace.com/nickelthrower

I have a Sony Cybershot 3.2 mega pixel digital camera. Also, I have a SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo 512 MB. I haven’t ever recorded a video on my camera, however I would like to. So I was wondering how many minutes I would be able to record on there. This is assuming i dont have ANY pictures on there at all.

Thanks!

FIrst off your batteries in your camera will die before you reach this, but most digital cameras record at a low Fps and low quality.

At 640×480
10 Frames per sec – 16 mins
30 Fps – 5 mins 30 seconds

At 320 x 240
10 Fps – 47 mins
30 Fps – 16 mins

Check your manual under specifacations and you can see which bracket you are in. 30 Fps is rare on most digital cameras to my knowledge.

Hope this helps
Also you can get a 2 gig for under 20 dollars now and they sell up to an 8 gig card in most retail stores. So if you want to do alot of video recording its not that expensive for memory any longer.

How can you make an audio recording a ringtone a Pantech Matrix PRO????

just go to Ventones

you can download or make your own ringtones for free
at that site

Okay so i just got Call of Duty modern warfare 2 and i was wanting to record me playing the game onto a MP4 video. And i remember downloading a recording thing before exept when i played a game it would flash or lag so i need some like high definition software. Does anyone know where to get it?? Thanks a ton

In your case…

Fraps Recorder would be a good choice. There’s a trial version. It costs money to buy the full version though.

You could also try xfire.

I am trying to start a home studio and I need some suggestions on a good software package.

I use N Track Studio and Quartz.
N Track costs 45 bucks, Quartz is free.
I actually use Qyartz more than Ntrack, but N Track has some effects I like better.

also, what kind of microphone is good to do electronica/screamo?
and its for at home lol anyone know anyplace to aquire equipment for recording in arizona?

It depends on how serious you are. If you’re real serious look into Protools. It’s the best out there, it comes with the equipment you’ll need