What do I need for basic home recording?

[ECWeagles]

Hi there,

I am looking for some very basic home recording equipment so my wife can demo some of her songs.

I have a Mac so far and thats about it.

All we need to record is her guitar (it has a PU system) and vocals.

As best I can make out, I need an interface unit, a mic for the vox and cables.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some solid no frills equipment recommendations?

thanks!

[thelatrobe33]

Check out the Presonus products. They have what's called the AudioBox Studio. It's basically got everything you need in 1 box.

We've been using their stuff with great results. Their Studio One 2.0 software is intuitive and will give Pro Tools a run for it's money.

[bclaire]

Are you going to use Garageband that's built into the computer?

How many inputs do you need at a time? There are a lot of interfaces out there but if you use Garageband, you only need an interface to get sound in and not software...

You can go mbox, or maybe find an Alesis mixer that has either USB or Firewire capability. It's called the MultiMix and they make various versions. You can enable all the inputs basically to tracks in Garageband if you want. You might find a used one for cheap...

[ECWeagles]

If Garage Band works, im certainly happy to use that.

I only need two inputs.

I'm also interested in recommendations for a good, no nonsense vocal mic.

[Jondog]

If Garage Band works, im certainly happy to use that.

I only need two inputs.

I'm also interested in recommendations for a good, no nonsense vocal mic.

Shure SM58. Rugged, many uses.

[bclaire]

The mic input on a Mac is stereo, ie, two channels. But I find that it works best with some sort of interface.

I remember reading a year or two ago that a band recorded the keeper vocal track for one of their songs straight through the built-in mic on a MacBook Pro into Garageband.

There's also a lot of cool drum loops in Garageband as well!

[guilleonline]

All you need is an apogee one. The latest version. It is an interface and mic (great quality mic by the way) in one package. Plus it also has a mic input to use another mic and a line in for guitar or bass or line levem inputs. You can record two inputs at a time, but that is counting the internal mic. Honestly the best bang for your buck in terms of value and high audio quality. Plus, like any other apple product is dead easy to use.

Did I mention you van use it with your ipad/ iphone too?

Well do this. Go to apogee.com and watch the video under apogee one.
You'll love it