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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Recording From Home...

Posted by: vintageplaya666 Jul 4 2008, 09:16 PM

Okay, I'm wanting to record from home. And I was just wandering what all you GMCers would recommend, so far I have:

Midi Keyboard
Reason And Cubase.

I particually wouldnt need any microphones, as The guitar would go straight into the mixing desk/track recorder. But its more on what would be the best choice to record with, I was thinking of a Tascam? Any Suggestions?

Posted by: Matt23 Jul 4 2008, 09:24 PM

Well all i record with is a pod, a guitar and reaper. I think the pod might work a bit like an interface though. I've never known what the point of interfaces is actually do they make the sound quality better? Personally i don't think you need anything more but i don't know about interfaces.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 4 2008, 10:51 PM

Are you planning to buy a mixing desk? I would say audio interface is another good option. What sound card do you have?

Posted by: vintageplaya666 Jul 4 2008, 10:57 PM

I was either going to go with either a small mixing desk or a audio interface.

This is the sound card I currently have in my computer:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?CRE-XFIEP

Posted by: Nemanja Filipovic Jul 5 2008, 09:39 AM

Tascam is a fine choice.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 5 2008, 11:53 AM

You have a great card. It is a high end gaming card, not an Audio Production System, but it will do the job nicely for the job. Tascam recorder is a safer bet. Have you thought about the model?

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Jul 5 2008, 12:04 PM

I used POD XT live and it works like a sound card. You can listen how my guitar sounded in my album (follow my signature pic biggrin.gif). Now I'm using a Tascam US428 with Adobe Audition, and it works really good, but this toy is not 100% necessary (I bought it because I'm a freak, I know laugh.gif).
Well, if you want to begin with recording I'll go for a POD, it works really good and sounds pretty good saving too much money.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 5 2008, 01:03 PM

Juan - You say a POD XT Live works just like a sound card - does that mean it has the same effect as a regular (Non-onboard) sound card, which would properly better the sound and lower the latency?

I'm currently using my old Boss GT6 for recording, and I actually only have an onboard soundcard in my computer - and I do experience some latency (With ASIO4all I can get it to about 12 ms only though - but doesn't it somewhat lower the audio quality?). Will buying a new, better, sound card lower and better the latency?

EDIT: That is 12 ms with the buffersize of 512 samples.

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Jul 5 2008, 01:15 PM

Exactly !! POD XT has the same effect wink.gif It also have ASIO drives and of course low latency. That's the reason why that's the easier way to record your songs, you don't need to spend years configuring latency, drivers, etc. Just choose PODXT as a predetermined card for recordings. I never had latency problems.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 5 2008, 01:31 PM

Sounds cool man! Do you use ASIO4ALL, as well? If so, what are your buffer settings in that and how much latency do you experience? (I hear people saying you can get to about 2-3 ms with the right equipment - and for some reason my 12-13 ms still bothers me.)

Posted by: vintageplaya666 Jul 5 2008, 01:38 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Jul 5 2008, 10:53 AM) *
You have a great card. It is a high end gaming card, not an Audio Production System, but it will do the job nicely for the job. Tascam recorder is a safer bet. Have you thought about the model?



Well the Tascam models that I used at college (Just finished 2 weeks ago) where the old tascam mackie ones or something, so i'm not sure what the latest models are. I'm now stuck between the Tascam or a POD..

Posted by: Matt23 Jul 5 2008, 02:02 PM

I'd go for the pod then.

Posted by: kjutte Jul 6 2008, 01:48 AM

Everything should be realtime unless you add effects in software.

Posted by: USAMAN Jul 6 2008, 02:17 AM

Pod all the way.
I have both and my firepod sits and gathers dust most of the time.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 6 2008, 10:45 AM

QUOTE (kjutte @ Jul 6 2008, 02:48 AM) *
Everything should be realtime unless you add effects in software.


Realtime as in no latency, or realtime as in as low as possible latency?

Out of curiosity - how much latency does the Pod users experience with/without ASIO4all?

Posted by: tonymiro Jul 6 2008, 10:49 AM

There is always latency in any DAW - the issue is whether or not it causes a discernible problem to the end user.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 6 2008, 11:32 AM

Yeah, sure, my worries are, that with my Boss GT6 and ASIO4all set at a buffer of 512, I get 12-13 ms of latency. Firstly - does decreasing the buffersize decrease the sound quality?
And secondly will I be able to have the buffersize at a better rate with a POD or a new soundcard, while having equally low latency or lower.. say 10 or less ms?

It's quite an investment either way - soundcard or POD, if the result won't be that much of a difference. That is merely why I am asking smile.gif

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 6 2008, 11:54 AM

decrease in buffer size has nothing to do with the sound quality, it just has to do with CPU load. Smaller the buffer, bigger the calculations in the CPU, lower the latency it's that simple.

Soundcards of EMU like entry level 0404 or even better 1212m has latency at about 10ms, depending on the sampling resolution of course. These cards are very suitable for production because they have quality A/D/A converters and super clean analog outs.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 6 2008, 11:57 AM

Alright - thanks for clearing up the buffer part. I'm a bit confused about this all - if I lower it to below 512 I get small crackles and all in the tracks.

None the less, I only have an onboard card now - so the decision has to be between a soundcard or a PODxt.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 6 2008, 12:41 PM

This is because sound card and CPU cannot process that amount of information (signal) in such a short notice. So some parts of the signal are being dropped. In worst cases buffer overloads so much that a restart is needed because driver fails to open.

What do you have from gear mate?

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 6 2008, 12:49 PM

Well, I have just been playing and recording through my Boss GT6 through line in on the computer, using either cubase or audacity.

Posted by: vintageplaya666 Jul 6 2008, 05:08 PM

So POD it is then smile.gif

Thanks for your help guys smile.gif

Whats the average price for a POD?

Posted by: Matt23 Jul 6 2008, 10:37 PM

I got my Podxt for £190.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 6 2008, 11:13 PM

QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Jul 6 2008, 01:49 PM) *
Well, I have just been playing and recording through my Boss GT6 through line in on the computer, using either cubase or audacity.


If you like the effect from the GT6 I think you should definitely get a good soundcard, like EMU0404 or 1212m. Those cards have high quality converters for their price range and it my firm belief that you will benefit greatly if you buy one of them. POD is not an option here, because you already have a processor that is very good. Also 0404 or 1212m have latency ~10ms so you will have direct monitoring, and they have on board effects so they don't load the CPU.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 01:10 AM

That's cool. I've got a fairly good computer (2.4Ghz Quadcore overclocked at 3.0Ghz, with 4gb ram, 750 gb...etc etc.) - top notch, really. The only thing lacking is a soundcard, so I think I'll go for that. You suggest the 1212m or 0404, then. I've also heard people speaking of the Creative fatal1ty - I think Pavel uses/used that one?

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 10:39 AM

It depends of your needs. Fatal1ty series are created for a high end gamer system, more than audio production.

if you're planning to play a lot of games, and need a remote and 7.1 channels you buy Fatal1ty, if you're planning to have pristine sound quality in stereo and do audio production buy 1212m.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 11:57 AM

Hehe, I'm gonna do a little of both, I geuss - but I can live with "worse" sound for games. The most important is a good sound for recording - that said, all is probably better than my onboard sound card. I'm going to town today to buy the 1212m, by the way! Hopefully I can figure out how to install it myself. smile.gif

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 12:20 PM

Great choice mate 1212m has more quality sound and lot better converters and S/N ratio. The card is superb.

PS I'm buying one very soon myself, so we can share experience! smile.gif


Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 12:22 PM

Cool, man! Looking forward to having it! smile.gif Now I just have to get my butt into town - it's such a heat here, so I'm kinda not too fond of having to ride my bike and all tongue.gif I like it a little colder when I'm going somewhere.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 12:36 PM

I hear mate here is 33 degrees C unsure.gif

But when buying a new gear, specially a great sound card, I would go even on foot - running to the store biggrin.gif

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 12:38 PM

Good point. While I'm still here - I've never had a soundcard besides the onboard ones. How much of a difference will it make on sound quality?

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 01:08 PM

It will make a huge difference. 1212m is a professional audio production system card with pristine stereo analog outs. If you have good quality speakers, the difference will be very very obvious.

PS in order to really make this card shine you will need to (eventually) buy some decent audio monitors. That way your sound will be a semi-professional grade one, just like in a studio.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 01:13 PM

I bought some alright speakers some time back - not superb, but for about $120 or...about 90 euros or so. Of course that's nothing crazy. I actually have a set of VERY good speakers in the basement, but they're too big to fit anywhere... haha. Maybe I should hook them up and into my computer.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 01:32 PM

What speakers are those mate, brand and model? Do you have an amplifier with those as well?

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 7 2008, 01:36 PM

I have the 1212m and it is awesome!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 02:05 PM

Hehe biggrin.gif

Your blog and posts convinced me to buy the card Andrew, thanks for that. smile.gif

I like the fact that it has EDI link and that is a pristine quality one. Again thanks for all your words about the card. I will be buying it as soon as I sell my good ol' Toneport smile.gif

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 03:26 PM

Those I have here now are just some "basic" logitech ones. I think the ones in my basement are B&O, though I'm not too sure. I don't think I have the room for them here.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 08:08 PM

Woah, man! What a difference! Especially in input quality.

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Jul 7 2008, 10:35 PM

QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Jul 5 2008, 02:31 PM) *
Sounds cool man! Do you use ASIO4ALL, as well? If so, what are your buffer settings in that and how much latency do you experience? (I hear people saying you can get to about 2-3 ms with the right equipment - and for some reason my 12-13 ms still bothers me.)


sorry, I'm not using POD now and I cannot remember the latency. Anyway I never had troubles with it biggrin.gif

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 10:41 PM

Now with my new card I have 2ms latency! Yaaaaaaaaaay! smile.gif

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 11:04 PM

You bought it? That's great man, congratulations! smile.gif

Now you can use software modelers as well, like guitar rig wink.gif

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 11:11 PM

Yeah, true. Will take some time to get into all that, no doubt. Took me hours just to get it set up - I needed a few things for my speakers to fit the soundcards input/output etc. As well as the "mixer" of the soundcard is a bit...confusing. However a pleasant increase in sound quality!

Posted by: Xose Pineda Jul 7 2008, 11:14 PM

QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Jul 7 2008, 11:41 PM) *
Now with my new card I have 2ms latency! Yaaaaaaaaaay! smile.gif


2ms?! wow... Is that EMU you where talking about?

Guitar rig should work as a charm... I'm having "noises" with my Line6 GX. sad.gif

Congrats mate!

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 7 2008, 11:37 PM

Well, actually it's more like close to 3 ms... tongue.gif I haven't worked with guitarrig yet. Will look into that soon.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 7 2008, 11:54 PM

3ms is awesome time mate! Can't wait to buy it biggrin.gif

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