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Total beginner - Looking for information on Basic Equipment

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Total beginner - Looking for information on Basic Equipment
#1
Hey, I'm a total beginner planning to buy equipment for a home studio.
I Desperately need information on good(reliable) cheap, BASIC equipment required to sucessfully compose, edit, enhance and mix, master and produce good quality music.
I am comfortable with using cubase and Pro-tools.. I just need to know what 'other' hardware i'd need including the soundcard and other external devices.
I just own a simple PC with a good enough config but with a crappy soundcard!
Please help - links or model numbers of particular products would be sufficient plus some tips!

Thanks!

(I prob am th dumbest when it comes to technicalities so please be as basic as u can!! :P )
#2
Ok, Just saw the 'READ THIS FIRST' info!

Sorry, I am basically looking to record live bass, guitar (acoustic and electric, would need an awesome mic there! :P ) and vocals.
I plan on using a MIDI controller for the rest.
I am a drummer with a drumkit but am assuming MIC's would be way beyond my budget for now. But please suggest standard mic's for a drum kit.
Which version of Pro-Tools should i buy?
Have worked with Cubase but am learning to use pro-tools in college! :) so would prefer using that at home.

Kindly Advice.
#3
a. What kind of music do you want to do?

Bass line driven with clean guitars, jazzy synth and groovy drums

b. Do you want to record individual tracks at a time or a whole band at once?
Individual tracks mostly

c. What do you want to do with your recordings? Demos? Fun for friends? Get gigs? Make a million and get a record deal?
Demos!

d. What kind of instruments will you be recording? Live drums? Vocals?
Mainly Vocals. Live drums where necessary (when there is money to assist my needs! :P)

e. What kind of computer do you have (or want)? Desktop? Laptop? Include: Operating System, Processor speed, RAM, Hard Drive Space, Sound Card type. USB? Firewire? CD Burner?

Currently own a standard Pc without a good soundcard but with decent config
#4
i'm Sorry , currently do not own a PC!
#5
You might want to just search some of the back posts here. This question might be the most asked on this forum and has been answered a lot in the past.

As far as PC config....2 hard drives? at least 1 gig Ram?

If you're comfortable using Pro-tools or Cubase: Why don't you buy one of their usb setups (Mbox or Tascam us-122)? Up to two tracks at a time, so you could basically record a 'demo' quality live drum kit with a stereo pair of overheads.
#6
Well, i've researched a bit and am planning to go in for the m-audio 2496 soundcard for starters! .. i currently have an old version of cubase so will prob use that.. do u think an sm-57 or 58 mic would be enough as a starter mic? - i dont think i can afford a condenser overhead. Wil most prob program the drums till i can afford one.
#7
and i havent yet got my PC ! wht's the best recommended config for a resonable price!? (i'm only gonna use it for audio and recording) (star question! :P )
#8
57 and 58 are the identical mics, the 58 has a wind screen and the 57 does not since it is an instrument mic. Get the 58.
#9
Computers: To each their own, but I'm personally an AMD fan. Bare mininum, I'd look at Dell or Bestbuy for an AMD Athlon or Intel P-4. 1.6 gig processor, 1 gig Ram, and Dual 7200 rpm Hard Drives. You might also want to get a graphics card rather than using the one on the mother board. That cuts some stress off the cpu.

Mics: Like posted before the 57 and 58 are identical other than the windscreen. However, I would suggest getting the 57, as well as possibly a cheap condensor..MXL makes a 990 that's really good for $60.
#10
Thanks for the info!

I'll prob be getting a similar config to what you've recommended except for the Ram. . as of now, Intel p-4, 1.6 with 512Mb of ram .. and an m-audio soundcard with an SM- 58 and a 57 cause i'll need a good instrument mic too.
but yeah, will prob be going in for more RAM and a condensor too.

I've already almost fixed a price for these but was wondering abt the souncard. the guy whose selling th stuff to me says he's putting a decent soundcard for free (He composes his music on it) , its prob a high level soundblaster one. U think this'll be enough for starters & compatible with th other equipment i've mentioned?