Okay, so my wife is a radio engineer. However, her real desire is to be on the air. A month or so ago, I had the thought that she might want to start some sort of podcast or something so that she could have more experience of being on the air, even if it's not quite the same.
This morning, I asked her about it, and she sounded interested in the idea.
I think she'd be more interested in radio drama type stuff than in music, but she's also talented musically.
So, I want to get her some sort of starter audio recording setup in our basement. And I'm clueless. We already have a computer down there with a decent monitor (currently Linux, but I'm not opposed to putting Windows on it or replacing it with a Mac Mini).
Is it worthwhile to just get a USB mic and a decent set of speakers/headphones? Software?
I can probably budget around $500 for this gig, and she would not mind Craigslist/used stuff so long as it's worthwhile.
Poopshovel just asked a similar question.
The short answer (from me) would be to pick up a USB input device (I use a Tascam US 122) and mic, and install Audacity as a starter (available for both Linux and Windows) for software.
~$150 and you're up and experimenting.
I think audio is easier on Windows or Mac, but you can certainly do it on Linux. That's what I'm doing, but I really don't know much.
http://lifehacker.com/5853193/how-can-i-set-up-a-home-recording-studio-on-the-cheap?tag=asklifehacker
I almost went with the TASCAM 122, but then I read that its Linux support is horrible. For now, the computer is Linux. If we want to get more serious in the future, that may change.
After lots of reading, it looks like I'll be going with a Blue Yeti USB mic. It's had lots of rave reviews.
As for software, I'll have her try out both Ardour and Audacity to see what she thinks. I think I can also hook it up to GarageBand temporarily for her to try that out. It came with our compy that's in the living room (ie not the proposed studio).
The output is an issue too. Right now the computer in the basement is hooked up to an el-cheapo set of computer speakers (think late 90s $30 computer speakers). In the same area I have an xbox 360 hooked up to an ancient receiver (70s tech, only 1 input is working) and some less cheapo bookshelf speakers. My thought is to buy a new receiver with 2+ digital inputs and replace the old receiver with the new one or the one in the living room. Either way, I'd be moving the digital->analog conversion away from the cpu. My goal is to use a single pair of good speakers/monitors for both the Xbox and the audio stuffs. Bad idea? I'd probably also need a decent pair of headphones too.
scardeal wrote:
I almost went with the TASCAM 122, but then I read that its Linux support is horrible. For now, the computer is Linux. If we want to get more serious in the future, that may change.
Linux support for the US 122 is better than it used to be. In (k)ubuntu, I pretty much just enable medibuntu in the sources and install three packages (google will show numerous howto results).
That being said, I have no reason to advocate for the US 122 over something else that's got good reviews. Just observing that it has basically been working for me in Linux should you happen to stumble into a deal.
I have an Art USB dual-pre interface I Picked up cheap from Sweetwater. It works fine on Ubuntu, but I'm still struggling with Audour and Audacity. They're just too complex.
I pulled the trigger on the Blue Yeti mic.
I'm still trying to analyze the output situation. One guy at the store (you know, trying to sell me on things) claimed that it would be difficult to find unpowered monitors (not true), and that I couldn't get a real clean analog signal out of a commercial receiver.
Considering budget constraints I have 2 options:
Computer --> analog out --> y-cable --> RCA cables --> powered monitors
Computer --> digital out --> coax --> Receiver --> speaker wire --> unpowered monitors
Powered Monitors:
Pro: High quality amplifier
Con: cheapo built in computer DAC, daisy chaining analog wires, no XBox output
Unpowered Monitors:
Pro: better DAC removed from electromagnetically noisy computer, can be used for Xbox too
Con: consumer-grade amplifier possibly introduces coloration
