Equipment For the
Artvilla Studio
There are two basic requirements for home digital recording
1. At least two analog inputs (You need something to plug microphones
and guitars into)
2. A multitrack recording method (You need a way to adjust the volumes
of the mic and guitars separately to obtain a "mix")
There are two basic methods to achieve this:
1. Computer based multitrack recording software such as Pro
Tools or Cakewalk coupled with an expensive digital sound card with
four analogue inputs.
2. A multitrack digital recorder coupled with fiber optic cables to an
external digital sound card. This places the "tracks" on an external
standalone machine such that the computer only receives the mix.
The Artvilla studio uses method two for the following reasons:
1. It's easier to learn. I have Cakewalk and still haven't figured it
out......
2. Digital recorders are mechanical in nature.....press a button, turn
a knob or slide a slider rather than being tied to a mouse.
3. When recording multitrack sessions with a computer based method such
as Cakewalk there are delays to cope with.
4. My computer is noisy....noise which is picked up by my
microphones.....the recorder is silent......
5. In the case of the digital recorder, it has one task to do
whereas the computer is running other stuff in the background. You
never get it's full attention.
6. The digital multitrack recorder is portable.
7. You can turn effects and delays on and off dynamically.
Here is my equipment list:
1. Multitrack Digital Recorder:
I use a Korg D1200. Here is the eBay
search and here is a review
It is a wonder of a machine. I can plug a guitar into it and
simulate hundreds of combinations of classic tube amplifiers. I can
plug a mic into it and simulate famous tube based microphones of the
past....It's wild
2. Large diaphragm condenser Microphone
Here is an EBay
search for "condenser microphones" I use an AKG C4000....The
microphone IS the studio so get a good one. Condenser mics can be
bought for $100 and up...
3. Tube Mic Pre amp
The signal from the mic is very weak and needs a pre-amp. The
vaccuum tube adds warmth. Here is an eBay
search for tube mic preamp
4. External Digital Sound Card
This connects the computer to the Multitrack Digital
Recorder.....It is essential to have an "In" and an "Out" digital
connection between the Multitrack recorder and the sound card so choose
sound cards carefully. My external sound card is an EDIROL
UA-25 It connects to
the computer via USB and to the Korg D1200 via two optical digital
cables
5. Computer Software to receive the
mix from the Multitrack Recorder
Here is a link
that describes the software I use to receive the mix. I use
Creative Wave Studio which came with an earlier sound card. Ask Google
for a WAV editor.. I recommend Acoustica .
This program records and edits WAV files. It has a noise reduction
feature that is astounding. It totally removes tape hiss.....