Help with getting into home recording - what do I need?

JamieJ

JamieJ

Well-known member
Hey!

Wanting to do some recording at home but know very little about this world. Any suggestions on the essentials to get started?

I want to at least be able to record my wet/dry set up, so I was looking at the Volt 2 or 276/476 from Universal Audio. These come with quite a bit of software that would be enough to get going. Then I was going to pick up 2 SM57s and floor mic stands and cables and get stuck in.

My big question is - is it worth getting an interface that can handle more inputs or is 2 inputs enough?
 
I recently upgraded my ancient AD/AC with a Presonus studio1824c. The price was decent and I’m happy with it. Part of the reason I picked that one is because it has DC coupled outputs, so I can do CV automation with my analog synth.

Before that, I was using 2-input interfaces for about 20 years. It’s totally fine for demo stuff. I used to always have access to pro gear at the studio I worked at, so I didn’t need more than 2 inputs at home.
 
JamieJ said:
Volt 2 or 276/476 from Universal Audio.
Click to expand...
JamieJ said:
2 SM57s and floor mic stands and cables and get stuck in.
Click to expand...
sounds like a plan to me 🤟
with a setup like this, you'll be humming along making demos no worries.

if you don't know if you need more than 2 inputs, you probably don't need those extra inputs (assuming you're not planning to record a drum kit)
 
I have a Focusrite 2i2 which I find pretty decent with my SM57 on my amp. I believe the UA stuff has a better mic preamp?
 
What do you want to do?
What are your goals with this setup?
What's the biggest use case you can think of?

Just at home, or possibly mobile? (You may want something bus powered if mobile)
I wouldn't get a 476, personally,.but it looks cool as a "good 2 channel interface with different flavors for someone who doesn't/won't be expanding into a lot of recording gear"
I don't care for the preset tones/flavor selections.
It's cool that it comes with some plugins and LUNA, but I would look into that more. What are the limitations of that version of LUNA? Because, I believe it's usually an annual subscription service/non-pepetual liscense.
You also need to consider if/who you will be possibly sharing files with if you are doing collaborative recording projects and how that fits into the workflow of everyone.
You can skirt different formats by trading bounces, but sometimes that gets goofy.
 
I recently upgraded my Scarlett 2i2 to an SSL 12. 4 inputs, two of which are also in the front for guitars.
It has MIDI, which allows me to use my 2008 Casio digital piano as a MIDI controller again - it's too old to work over USB.
4 inputs so I can use two for guitar, one for bass and one for vocals.
Apparently this interface has some of the best preamps, a lot of gain and low noise floor. In practice I don't hear much difference from the Scarlett.
They both have ridiculously low volume out of the headphone jack when monitoring. No idea why. But the SSL has way less hiss.

I'll just leave this here because Cyberattack is bitchen

 
I love my SSL 2+, sounds great and like the form factor. The 2i2 is good as well.

I’m never recording more than 2 tracks at a time. Guitar, bass and vocals at home. If I’m doing live drums, it’s at a studio.

Mac or PC?

As we all know, Mac is superior in every possible way and has logic. $200, is loaded with cool stuff and easy to use. Stock plugs sound good. Plus you buy it and get free upgrades.

There are a bunch of cool free plugins for all daws as well. Valhalla have some amazing reverbs and delays from mild to wild.
 
Free/cheap plugins could be a thread on their own, there are so many.

Logic is absurd value for the price. It has great instruments (worth the price of admission), several good EQs, compressors, reverbs, synth engines, plugins, mastering tools. It's a no brainer on Macs, especally if you don't need to share project files with studios, which I think still use Pro Tools.

I learned everything I know about Logic but really recording and mastering from MusicTechHelpGuy on Youtube. He has dozens of videos that take you from interface basics to the theory behind mixing to mastering an album. Unbelievable that it's all free.

SM57/58 are always good to have around, they are essentially the same mic with different capsules. I got them new from Thomann when they came with free K&M stands. I imagine new Scarletts have enough gain for dynamic mics (notorious for their low output). I'd also pick up a large condenser mic for vocals/percussion (get you an egg shaker!). I have an AT2020 that I got for half price and it came with a mic stand. Not the best but gets the job done.

Buy used as much as possible of course.
 
Well, obviously a home would be the first thing...


Seriously though, great idea for a thread.


If you're going to keep it digitally-based, I'd suggest getting a couple of HDs.

Nowadays, data-storage comes big (lots of data), but physically small, and relatively cheap.

HD1 — dedicated for music-files, ie what your recordings reside on — separate from your computer's HD (which can have the main recording software ie Logic, Garage-band etc)​
​
HD2 — back-up for HD1. DON'T record to this one, just back-up the HD-1 regularly to this'n.​
​

Also, be mindful when backing up or especially when deleting "bad-takes", ie don't do this:


For above posted video, TLDWBIH8SD (too long didn't watch because I hate Steely Dan):

Assistant engineer wipes only existing recording of song that was more-or-less a perfect first-take.
 
I was thinking about picking up a MOTU M2 to replace my 2nd gen 2i2. I think it would be adequate for what I’m doing. It’s supposed have much better latency handling than what mine does. And it’s got midi which I also need.

www.sweetwater.com

MOTU M2 USB-C Audio Interface

2-in/2-out, 24-bit/192kHz, USB-C Audio Interface with 2 Preamps, MIDI I/O, LCD, Hardware Monitoring, Loopback, and 6+GB of Free Content - macOS/Windows/iOS
www.sweetwater.com www.sweetwater.com
 
KR Sound said:
I was thinking about picking up a MOTU M2 to replace my 2nd gen 2i2. I think it would be adequate for what I’m doing. It’s supposed have much better latency handling than what mine does. And it’s got midi which I also need.

www.sweetwater.com

MOTU M2 USB-C Audio Interface

2-in/2-out, 24-bit/192kHz, USB-C Audio Interface with 2 Preamps, MIDI I/O, LCD, Hardware Monitoring, Loopback, and 6+GB of Free Content - macOS/Windows/iOS
www.sweetwater.com www.sweetwater.com
Click to expand...
MOTU makes some great stuff.

One feature I like on some interfaces is the ability to mix direct and playback. I use it for bass and tracking someone's vocals. Guitar I just have one headphone off to hear it directly.
 
I would advise getting as many inputs as you have instrument / sources you're planning to record, plus some because you'll always want more. Cable swapping kills creativity IMO. I had the MOTU M4 for several years and it was rock solid with low latency when not using the direct monitor feature that is zero. Line inputs 3/4 were VERY low so you'll need a preamp if wanting to use those. I upgraded to the SSL18 last year and it's been a jewel. The additional inputs and expandability keeps my OCD pleased.
 
I don't want to push anything either way. But I think most of the sub 1k usd stuff is going to be relatively the same give or take. Buy within your budget and what works for your computer.

I use presonus studio one. I dig it because I feel the workflow and UI is pretty user friendly and there is a mastering suite. But interfaces come with a free version of a DAW. Pick something and learn it. Switch if you don't like it. Stick with the included plug-ins until you understand and establish a workflow and how the plug-ins work. Spending money on plug-ins won't make you better. Stick to the basics. Gain staging, levels, panning and compression are the foundation, everything else you learn along the way.

All you really need are a computer, DAW, headphones, interface, monitors, and a mic. Start with an sm57. Buy used if you can and upgrade when you are ready. Most importantly, have fun learning and enjoy the process.
 
Thank everyone. The biggest use I can think of is recording two cabs wet/dry with two mics per cab so I’m tempted to go for the SSL 12 or MOTU4. I’m using a Mac so logic looks interesting. I would be using it at home 99% of the time but would want to be able to record if I played out anywhere.

Any thought on the beginner mics? They seem criminally underpriced. Or are they garbage?
 
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