Basic home recording

I’m looking at doing some basic home recording soon, and I need some advice on equipment to get.
I already have the computer and the software (cubase, reason and fl studios), so I am just looking for an audio interface and midi controller (keyboard).
The space I’m looking to put the midi controller in is 22″ wide, so if there is a midi controller I can get hold of to fit that space, that would be perfect, although it is not essential.
My budget is about �200-250.
Also, I would like some advice on a good mic for recoding vocals and acoustic instruments, which I might purchase at a later date. Not to be included in the budget.
Thanks in advance.
Edit:
I’ve done a little bit of research, and it seems I am looking for an external audio interface, preferably able to be “stacked” in case of expansion.
I’ve also looked into mixers, and would like advice on whether I would need a mixer between the inputs and the interface?
Thanks.
Answer #1
Soundcard: M-Audio Audiophile 2496. I’ve been using one for many years. Excellent little beast.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/m-audio_delta_audiophile_2496.htm
Keyboard, hmm, so you need a small one, perhaps this 49 keys?
http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_essential_keystudio.htm
This is really nice budget mic, used also this for many years, and got many compliments on how good the sound of the recordings were, and they were surprised it was this cheap
http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_b1_microphone.htm
That one will also need a mixer, to get Phantom power.
This is handy
http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_xenyx_502.htm
Answer #2
Thanks for the suggestions
I was preferably looking for an external sound card, and UK sites, seeing as I’m in the UK. Thankyou for your help though.
Answer #3
Thomann is usually cheapest, even when ordering to UK, so keep it in mind
How many inputs would you need for your soundcard?
I got this one to use with the laptop or on travels
http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_fast_track_pro.htm
Then you wouldn’t need any mixer for the mic, since these things anyway do the same preamp stuff to the mic signal.
Answer #4
focusrite saphire pro 6 z ma audio interface..
wrkz fine
costz 13 k..
Answer #5
How many inputs would you need for your soundcard?
Thanks for all the advice.
The interface I’m looking for is basically for a bit of home recording. I’m hoping to get one which can be “stacked” in case I ever need to expand to more inputs, but right now 4 mic/instrument inputs, midi, phantom power, output to amp for monitoring, output to about 4 headphones (one for each input).
Is there anything like that out there?
Answer #6
I don’t think there is any with separate headphone outputs for each channel. But the rest is all standard stuff.
Take a look here for example
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/ Check the mixers section
Answer #7
Ahh I see.
Well, the studio at college, they have a box on the wall, with about 12 inputs which go to a mixer, and the 12 outputs for monitoring.
How would I be able to achieve something similar, 4 inputs for mics/instruments, and a output for each so they can each hear what is being played by everyone else / computer?
Thankyou.
Edit: Okay, so I’ve had another look, and I’ve come across a couple which look okay, but I’d like a little bit of advice on each.
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/43355-behringer-xenyx-x1204usb.html
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/5407-alesis-multimix-8-usb.html
Which one is looking the best to get? And also, with these, how would I go about hooking up extra headphones, if needed.
I’ve also read that this mic pack is a great starter pack?
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/42422-rode-nt1-a-vocal-pack.html
Do you have any advice / suggestions on that ?
Thanks again.
Answer #8
The Rode NT1-A is a good mic, I have heard good things about it.
Those USB mixers are basically “All in one”,they also have an audio chip, so you don’t even need a separate soundcard. Just plug in the mixer to USB and you have it all there.
For multiple headphones, I think you would need to add a separate headphone amp, they don’t have to be expensive, like this
http://www.thomann.de/fi/millenium_ha4.htm
Answer #9
Okay, thankyou for that.
Out of the two mixers I’ve looked at, which seems the better one?
I’ll look into getting the headphone amp if I need the extra headphones thankyou. I’m assuming I’d just plug the headphone out into the box, and then the headphones into the box?
Thanks again.
Answer #10
Well I use a Behringer mixer myself, a bit larger one. Never had any problems with it, so I would suggest the Behringer one. It also has faders to control the volumes, not just knobs, much better feel.