Kit advice for a Newbie looking to record our band?

[dealmaker]

Guys,

We are totally new to the whole recording thing.

I had a play with Cubase once and don't mind admitting that, despite being quite good with IT/Technology, the Cubase software daunted and intimidated me in Equal measure!!

So we'd like to record some live sessions of the band - with the ability to isolate each instrument/vocalist ,.....and adjust levels and go back to correct/overdub any mistakes etc.

So I have seen the new Roland USB interface - and am thinking this might be ideal for us as it has loads of inputs.

We'd probably have 3 x Guitars - direct feed from processors, 1 xBass DI from amp, Electronic drums - again direct, and three/four sets of vocals and backing vocals......so at least 8 or 9 output signals.

This is the unit that I have seen that was launched at NAMM - the Roland Studio Capture:

http://www.roland.co.uk/products/pro...ls.aspx?p=1268

So I was thinking we could use this in our practice room (and also maybe at gigs occasionally) - and somehow capture all 8/9 signals and record them simultaneously ??...I assume that's possible?

So I have a MacBook Pro laptop....could I use Garage Band to do the recording of all 9 channels at the same time (so we can play as a band)??

If not what other simple to use software would do it??

Is there anything else we need?? I assume we go into this unit first and then out of here to our respective monitors/PA etc???

A I getting this right so far??

Thanks!!

[ecc83]

I don't often say this dealmaker but have you thought of Firewire?

You have a macbook pro so one of these http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan0...ffirepro40.htm
should do nicely (I know they missed FW off one mac, wasn't that one was it?!) You then just neded a Behringer ADA 8000 unit to give you 8 more channels and Bob's yer whatsit.

But that Roland unit does look good! They have gained a good rep' for their Quad-Capture AI and there is no reason to think this one will be any slouch. There is however always a "bedding down" period with any new piece of gear (look how long the fekkin' EIE took to get to the shops and it STILL ain't right I understand?).

Thing is D, there is a very strong probability that Firewire will fade away in a few years time, usb 3.0 will be the norm on "cooking" grade computers and laptops and Thunderbolt on the top of the range PCs and macs (just as now where you don't see FW on most "office" grade computers) . But you are fireproof! You got the mac and so you are going to find FW kit at bargain prices.

There is no "simple" recording software, it all has a steep learning curve. I would stay with Cubase if you can because, 1) It is very powerful and can do everything you need, very good with MIDI.
2) It is perhaps the second most common "pro" software after Pro Tools (which you DON'T want I am told!) so you are likely to find it in studios.
3) There is more written and there are probably more people on the forums who know Cubase than all the other DAW software put together, i.e. plenty of help out there!

Dave.

[thebeagle]

I don't often say this dealmaker but have you thought of Firewire?

You have a macbook pro so one of these http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan0...ffirepro40.htm
should do nicely (I know they missed FW off one mac, wasn't that one was it?!) You then just neded a Behringer ADA 8000 unit to give you 8 more channels and Bob's yer whatsit.

Thing is D, there is a very strong probability that Firewire will fade away in a few years time, usb 3.0 will be the norm on "cooking" grade computers and laptops and Thunderbolt on the top of the range PCs and macs (just as now where you don't see FW on most "office" grade computers) . But you are fireproof! You got the mac and so you are going to find FW kit at bargain prices.

Speaking of FW kit at bargain prices, I've got one of these you could have for a ton: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may0...terratec88.htm - since many of your sources are line-level and probably on jacks you'd only need to possibly feed a mic or two in via a mixer to get another couple of mic preamps, be a proper cheap and effective way of doing it!

[thereformant]

You have a macbook pro so one of these http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan0...ffirepro40.htm
should do nicely (I know they missed FW off one mac, wasn't that one was it?!) You then just neded a Behringer ADA 8000 unit to give you 8 more channels and Bob's yer whatsit.

This is exactly the setup I use, but on PC rather than mac.

[jim_branning]

just one point. if they are using electronic drums then there's no need to 'record' them at all as audio. Just record the midi data and trigger s/w drums = less simultaneous audio record tracks required.

[tehLORD]

Also, if you find Cubase daunting you'll find them all daunting. Accept the learning curve and you'll be fine.