How do you Record music at home?

Question

I want to record my own music at home. I want to be able to record one thing then listen to it while playing another instrument and record that. I can play all my own music I can play drums, bass and regular guitar and key board and I can sing and I would like to make my own CD any one have any ideas on what I can do I already have all the instruments I just don't have any microphones or recording devices what do you recommend for under 1000 dollars

Answer 1

I recommend purchasing either Cubase or Pro Tools for your recording software. Pro Tools is ranked #1 in all major studios. They have a great layout, good editing, and a solid mastering portion of the program. Pro Tools will allow you to get as much quality is possible out of a home-recording studio. You can purchase an Mbox 2 that comes with Pro Tools for $450. The Mbox 2 is the recording interface that has MIDI inputs (for your keyboard), 2 Instrument Inputs (guitars, mic), and also 2 outputs (for stereo out).

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MBox2

There are more recording bundles similar to this such as the Presonus Firebox. Presonus uses Cubase which is another great recording software. Although it is not as popular as Pro Tools, it definately settles in at the #2 spot. I have used both of them, and for your home recording needs, either one will offer more than enough for you. You could also look at the Line 6 interface or the Omega. But i really recommend the Mbox 2 or the Firebox.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FireBox/

As for microphones, it could get spendy. I recommend the Shure Beta 87 for your singing. It's a great live and recording microphone. It runs at about $250 now. I would also recommend purchasing a Presonus Single Tube-Preamp that runs at $100 with any microphone you purchase. I can't begin to explain how big of a difference you get with your vocals by adding a simple preamp to it.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Beta87C/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TubePRE

Drum microphones can be expensive, because you usually want to get a set. But the Shure Beta series is another good, reasonably priced, microphone that you should look at here.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PGDMK4XLR/

More notes on Pro Tools: By setting up a track you can record that track, then open a new track, and have the 1st track playback the recorded sound. This will allow you to record one thing, then listen to it while playing / recording another instrument. You have complete control over each track, so you can set it on a loop, you can mute it, you can put effects on it, etc. Since you are new to recording softwares, be prepared for some really awesome stuff that you can do. But I will warn you that ALL recording softwares can be a little bit confusing at first. So if you don't want to purchase a book to help you out, then go to YouTube and search for Pro Tools or Cubase Tutorials. There are a ton of them. Good luck and Enjoy.

So here's my setup for you:
Mbox 2 + Pro Tools (Recording Unit) = $450
Shure Beta 87 (Vocal Mic) = $250
Shure PGDMK4-XLR (Drum Mics) = $250
Presonus Tube Pre (Preamp for Vocal Mic) = $100
Total = $1050

Oh and I play the keyboard, guitar, bass, and sing. And this is pretty much the setup I use. But I also have a Mackie Mixer, M-Audio Axiom Keyboard with Reason, and a Neumann Mic for studio stuff.

Answer 2

Good question. I'm the vocalsit for a hardcore band called Dying Rest Theory. We just completed a demo CD from recording at home. What you need is this: a digital hard drive 6 channel recorder (3 or 4 hundred bucks on eBay, maybe cheaper) a compressor mic (a regular vocal mic would work as well) and your instruments. What we did was record vocals on one channel in the shower (gives good reverb) and record everything else on separate channels from each other. We hooked up our amps to the guitars and covered the amp with pillows and blankets with a mic inside hooked up to the recorder. It actually gives a very high quality sound. With the drums, you'll want at least three channels, one mic for cymbals, one for snare and toms, and one for the bass kicker. It worked well, look us up on myspace and listen.

Answer 3

I bought a digital 8-track with a built in cd burner. You can lay everything down 1 track at a time, listen to the previous track while recording, mix everything on a master track and burn it to a cd. That cost me about $700 around 2 years ago. I would go to Sam Ash or any "Big" music store in your area. You're bound to find something. Just make sure you get one with a cd burner b/c some of them have zip disks. and it's almost impossible to get the songs off of those.

Answer 4

Some people record music into their computers with the Line In or Mic In inputs using something like the Creative Wave Studio or Audacity.

Some good links to try may include

http://us.creative.com/products/

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

and

http://www.download.com/3150-2170_4-0-1-0.html?qt=&rows=10&start=0&operatingSystemId=&licenseTypeId=49&fileSize=&ca=

Good luck.

Answer 5

i reccommend you google,

'freeware voice/music recording programmes'
then get an apple mac laptop because those are the best for recording music on.
I find that there's this free programme called 'Audacity' which allows you to create layers so one bit of music will play on top of another bit and so on, that might be what you're looking for.
It's free - and its not spywarish incase you're wondering so good luck!. Oh and you will need a good quality microphone btw, just go to your local ARGOS or pc world or something that would sell equiptment.

Answer 6

Read the stuff on this site. http://www.tweakheadz.com