Music Production Setup

[Hydrogen1803]

I would like to create a budget music set up. My budget is from $300 (or lower if possible) to $1000 USD. I would like to have something similar to Lew from Unbox Therapy's set up here: 

 I would like to use his Shure Beta 58a microphone: http://www.amazon.com/Shure-BETA-58A-Supercardioid-Applications/dp/B0002BACB4 , but is that good for use with an acoustic guitar? I would like to record vocals, so I am also going to need a good piece of software. I found this interface: http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Fast-Track-USB-Interface/dp/B002QZ402Q  but I am not sure if it is any good  or not. I would also like to connect a midi keyboard, something like his, and some mixers. I like the sound he is able to produce and am wondering how to do so. How would it work to plug in an electrical guitar? Do I need a mixer like he has? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EDRUQXC?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393185&creativeASIN=B00EDRUQXC&linkCode=shr&tag=ytube006-20&linkId=SBDAFAL5LO7XRS6X&qid=1454479051&sr=8-1&keywords=402vlz

Also, are there any loop stations like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C6YAX6E?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393185&creativeASIN=B00C6YAX6E&linkCode=shr&tag=ytube006-20&linkId=5W64D7WV22BNUSAS&qid=1454478985&sr=8-1&keywords=boss+rc-505 but are affordable? 

If you guys can provide any additional assistance and or advice I would be extremely grateful, thank you in advance. 

[Guest Kloaked]

Can you just list everything you'll be recording and what you need to create in place of a recording (IE drum tracks)?

[Hydrogen1803]

19 minutes ago, Kloaked said:

Can you just list everything you'll be recording and what you need to create in place of a recording (IE drum tracks)?

I will be recording electric guitar, and I would like to experiment with freestyle like Lew, acoustic guitar, and possibly a midi keyboard. I would need drum tracks, the kind of noises Lew is able to make, bass guitar and others if possible. 

[Guest Kloaked]

22 minutes ago, Hydrogen1803 said:

I will be recording electric guitar, and I would like to experiment with freestyle like Lew, acoustic guitar, and possibly a midi keyboard. I would need drum tracks, the kind of noises Lew is able to make, bass guitar and others if possible. 

Microphones:

Dynamic/Main Mic: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-audio-interface

Condenser/Background Mic: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/condenser-microphones/mxl-990-condenser-microphone-with-shockmount

 

Interface: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-audio-interface

 

Keyboard: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/akai-professional-lpk25-laptop-performance-keyboard

 

For drums, I recommend Superior Drummer. I'm not sure about the other sounds you're wanting to make.

 

Also, you can get a better keyboard if you want. I just put the cheapest one that I would personally buy.

 

As for those microphones, the dynamic one is meant to record the instrument/vocals up close. The condenser is meant to pick up the rest of the frequencies created by the instrument/vocals that should be positioned further away and pointed at the source to taste, depending on the sound you're going for.

[Hydrogen1803]

11 minutes ago, Kloaked said:

Microphones:

Dynamic/Main Mic: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-audio-interface

Condenser/Background Mic: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/condenser-microphones/mxl-990-condenser-microphone-with-shockmount

 

Interface: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-audio-interface

 

Keyboard: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/akai-professional-lpk25-laptop-performance-keyboard

 

For drums, I recommend Superior Drummer. I'm not sure about the other sounds you're wanting to make.

 

Also, you can get a better keyboard if you want. I just put the cheapest one that I would personally buy.

 

As for those microphones, the dynamic one is meant to record the instrument/vocals up close. The condenser is meant to pick up the rest of the frequencies created by the instrument/vocals that should be positioned further away and pointed at the source to taste, depending on the sound you're going for.

Thank you very much. Could I also use the audio interface to make my headphones louder than they already go? 

[ALwin]

I can tell you about the mic:

1. The Shure Beta 58A is a mic that's better suited for vocals.  Not for instruments.
2. Check this site for recording techniques for guitars, they also show you mic placement. http://en.wikiaudio.org/Recording_techniques:Guitar
3. Recording techniques for drums: http://en.wikiaudio.org/Recording_techniques:Drum_kit
4. This YouTube channel, and others provide tips and guides on recording. https://www.youtube.com/user/SignatureSoundStudio/videos
5. You need to look at frequency response charts for various instruments: http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm
6. The frequency response charts will guide you on what sort of mics you can use for various instruments.

[Hydrogen1803]

Just now, ALwin said:

I can tell you about the mic:

1. The Shure Beta 58A is a mic that's better suited for vocals.  Not for instruments.
2. Check this site for recording techniques for guitars, they also show you mic placement. http://en.wikiaudio.org/Recording_techniques:Guitar
3. This YouTube channel, and others provide tips and guides on recording. https://www.youtube.com/user/SignatureSoundStudio/videos

Thank you. 

[ALwin]

1 minute ago, Hydrogen1803 said:

Thank you. 

I added a few more things to my post.

 

I don't know if $1000 budget is enough for what you want to achieve.  While budget gear can sometimes be enough, if you want higher quality recordings it may be that $1000 buys you perhaps a mic or two and a decent audio interface.

[Hydrogen1803]

1 minute ago, ALwin said:

I added a few more things to my post.

 

I don't know if $1000 budget is enough for what you want to achieve.  While budget gear can sometimes be enough, if you want higher quality recordings it may be that $1000 buys you perhaps a mic or two and a decent audio interface.

I'll take it in to consideration. 

Do you know if I would need to use two mics, one for vocals, and one for the instrument in the background? 

[Guest Kloaked]

11 minutes ago, Hydrogen1803 said:

Thank you very much. Could I also use the audio interface to make my headphones louder than they already go? 

Yes.

[ALwin]

6 minutes ago, Hydrogen1803 said:

I'll take it in to consideration. 

Do you know if I would need to use two mics, one for vocals, and one for the instrument in the background? 

That depends on the type of mic.  If you go with a dynamic mic like the Shure Beta 58, I don't think you can easily record a decent guitar and vocal track.  A dynamic mic requires the sound source (i.e. your mouth) to be close to it.  Sound sources more than a few inches away from a dynamic mic tend not to be picked up or sound quiet.  So you may need to record the guitar track and the vocal track separately, because a dynamic mic will not be able to pick up both at the same time unless you place the guitar near your mouth.

 

I would recommend you go with a condenser mic instead.  Condenser mics, depending on the type and design can pick up audio from several inches to a few meters away.

 

For example, if I were recording a guitar (without vocals), an example of a mic I might use could be the Rode NT4 stereo mic.  What I would do is aim one capsule towards the neck of the guitar and the other capsule towards the body.

 

If I were recording guitar instrumentals and vocals, I may use the same mic with one capsule towards my mouth and the other capsule towards the guitar.  Or I keep the first setup and add a dynamic mic for recording vocals.

[Hydrogen1803]

2 minutes ago, ALwin said:

That depends on the type of mic.  If you go with a dynamic mic like the Shure Beta 58, I don't think you can easily record a decent guitar and vocal track.  A dynamic mic requires the sound source (i.e. your mouth) to be close to it.  Sound sources more than a few inches away from a dynamic mic tend not to be picked up or sound quiet.

 

I would recommend you go with a condenser mic instead.  Condenser mics, depending on the type and design can pick up audio from several inches to a few meters away.

 

For example, if I were recording a guitar (without vocals), an example of a mic I might use could be the Rode NT4 stereo mic.  What I would do is aim one capsule towards the neck of the guitar and the other capsule towards the body.

 

If I were recording guitar instrumentals and vocals, I may use the same mic with one capsule towards my mouth and the other capsule towards the guitar.  Or I keep the first setup and add a dynamic mic for recording vocals.

This is good to know, thanks. 

[ALwin]

Here, watch this video and observe how different mics are placed to capture different instruments.  Around 9:30 time code he talks about the Rode NT4 how he places it to record an acoustic guitar and vocal.

 

 

 

[Hydrogen1803]

Just now, ALwin said:

Here, watch this video and observe how different mics are placed to capture different instruments.  Around 9:30 time code he talks about the Rode NT4 how he places it to record an acoustic guitar and vocal.

 

 

 

Thank you. 

[ALwin]

Here are some alternative gear you might find interesting:

Zoom R24

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/production-recording/multi-track-recorders/zoom-r24-recorder-interface-controller-sampler

 

Zoom R16

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/production-recording/multi-track-recorders/zoom-r16-recorder-interface-controller

[Hydrogen1803]

Just now, ALwin said:

Here are some alternative gear you might find interesting:

Zoom R24

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/production-recording/multi-track-recorders/zoom-r24-recorder-interface-controller-sampler

 

Zoom R16

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/production-recording/multi-track-recorders/zoom-r16-recorder-interface-controller

This looks nice, thanks. 

[flowalex]

For the acoustic guitar I would recommend the SM57 from shure, also I would check out https://reverb.com/ for gear since they have used and new gear 

[EndlessOyster]

shure 58 for vocals, shure 57 for guitars, DI box for guitars. 4 channel audio interface with a midi input.

[Steinway]

I recommend REAPER for your DAW, a licence is $60 dollars last time I checked, and the included plugins work really well. 

Find yourself and audio interface from focus rite, Steinberg or another well regarded manufacturer, and make sure it has midi in and out for your keyboard. 

 

Mics wise I can recommend gear from sE Electronics.

I also feel that good mics are investments, they won't necessarily go up in price but a good mic is easier to sell and will be worth relatively more than a cheap MXL for example in the secondary market if it ever comes to that.

 

You might be better served by signing up on gearslutz for questions regarding music production, LTT is great but this isn't a topic that most people here are equipped to help you with.

 

Best of luck.

[dm199913]

Ableton Live 9, essentially any mid/high-range Rode mic, focusrite or steinberg audio interface. Mixers are not really necessary these days unless you do advanced audio mixing/engineering, and a loop station is not required if you have Ableton Live (it has a feature called Session View which is essentially a virtual looping/editing interface). For audio output, if you want speakers get the Yamaha HS7 or HS8; if you want headphones get Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros. For a keyboard I highly recommend the Native Instruments Komplete S range, but if that is not affordable the Novation Launchkey range is also good. Hope this helps