I am trying to set up my studio with a pretty good budget. What equipment should I use? What is recommended for my studio?

You will receive the best, most thorough information by obtaining books on the subject from a bookstore or library.

A few of the basic elements are as follows:

You need to consider the acoustical environment if you will be recording any live performance. This means you will need to look into acoustical room treatments. (See the Master Handbook of Acoustics by F. Alton Everest for more info.)

AC power conditioners such as Furman Sound and others will be helpful.

An assortment of vocal and instrument microphones along with mic preamps. Don’t scrimp on the quality of any vocal microphones you may purchase.

A (dedicated) personal computer (Windows XP, Linux, or Apple) for use as a digital audio workstation. (See Carillon Audio Systems.) The computer should be an extremely low-noise design constructed and optimized for DAW use. Should be equipped with high-performance DVD-R/W and/or CD-R/W drives and perhaps a DAT drive.

An external (FireWire-based) digital audio interface such as Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU), M-Audio, etc. – avoid USB interfaces.

Multi-track music production software (digital audio sequencer) from companies such as Steinberg, Emagic, Cakewalk, etc.

Audio editing software (such as Sonic Foundry.)

Outboard (hardware) signal/effects processors and/or plug-ins (instruments, effects, sounds, etc.,) for music production software.

Outboard sound modules with MIDI interface.

Hardware and/or software based music sampler(s).

Multi-track digital mixing console.

MIDI keyboard/controller with pitch and modulation control.

Near-field monitor loudspeakers (such as Mackie HR824) and high-performance headphones (Sony, Sennheiser, Shure, or Ultimate Ears.)

High quality cabling to hook everything together; use digital connections whenever possible and use balanced (XLR) connections for analog audio connections when possible.

I play guitar but i’m not fabulous and i class my voice as a musical instrument (use to be a singer).

You?

Mainly Guitar for me, I can play Bass and the Drums as well but I think I’m more talented at playing the Guitar

I’m thinking about learning to play guitar, and I’ve decided that I can’t afford actual lessons, so I’m going to have to self teach and learn things online. So what are some good websites to go to learn (I know youtube, but I need others). And if there are any users on youtube that are good teachers, can someone please give me some usernames? Thanks.

Here’s a list of websites where you can learn guitar (and other instruments):
http://www.onlineuniversitylowdown.com/2007/08/100-awesome-online-tools-to-teach-yourself-any-instrument-for-free.html

guitarcenter.com has special sale on presidents day 2008.
i’ve been looking for a fender telecaster. do you think guitar center will have a good discount on it?

Guitar Center always has good prices. I don’t know where you’re located, but I would say yes.

I have a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier head & I need to know how to connect it to a Rocktron Patchmate Loop 8 and a Rocktron Expression Digital Guitar effects processor.

In the back of the amp there are jacks (holes) that you plug one end of a cord into. You want those holes to be "output" jacks, so that what goes through the amp winds up in the effects processor.

Plug the other end of the cord(s) into the "input" holes of the effects processor, and sometimes you need a flashlight to read which holes are inputs and outputs…

(Usually, it’s fairly obvious because the input and output holes are "labeled or marked" as to what their purpose is…just think "direction of signal"…in other words…the guitar is the first signal outputter which then goes to the pedals and/or amps which then go to everything else…)
Guitar>>>>>(foot pedal optional)>>>>Amp>>>>>Effects>>>>recording device…

I’ve been asked to do percussion for a guitar/vocal duo and I was already thinking about employing a mini mixer to monitor the percussion (not put it through the PA) but I will need to hear what the guitar is doing. How can I get a auxiliary signal from a guitar amp without affecting the FOH sound?

Depending on the features of the amp and/or the style of music you’re playing, you could:

– Take a line out feed from the amp if it has one
– If it’s an acoustic guitar, use a DI box between the guitar and amp to derive a low impedance signal
– If all else fails, put a mic in front of the amp

Good luck.

Greetings from Austin, TX

Ken

Almost all autographed electric guitars are cheap ones like Squier Strats and Epiphone les pauls. Just an opinion question why?
I’m not talking about signature guitars, I’m talking about autographed with a sharpie

cost effectiveness. most people aren’t going to ever be playing them, so they don’t have to be high quality..

I was thinking of buying the Maestro by Gibson. It looks to be at a great price and it’s for a beginner.
But just because it’s sold at Best Buy, does it mean that’s it’s not as good of a guitar as if it was from Guitar Center or Sam Ash?

The guitars that are sold in Best Buy and other non-specialty stores are usually cheaper, and don’t sound as good as those that are in specialty stores. That is because they only carry beginner guitars, which are a lot less expensive.

However, if Guitar Center had that same beginner guitar that Best Buy had, they would have almost equal stats, but would cost more at Guitar Center because it is a specialty store.

If it is going to be your first guitar, and you are just starting out, don’t worry too much about where you are getting the guitar or getting a guitar that sounds really good. Beginner guitars from Best Buy will work just fine.

I’ve been playing bass for quite some time now with a pretty cheap Squier, and I’m thinking of getting a new one. I’m looking for one that both looks awesome and has a good sound to it. $1000 would probably be my limit (if I need to go that high). I’ll take suggestions for both 4 and 5 strings. Thanks!

Fender just announced a price decrease so now is a pretty good time to buy one. I would suggest either an American made P-Bass or J-Bass. You’ll have either one for life, and they get better with age. The Geddy Lee Jazz bass is also great, and uniformly loved. I personally wouldn’t go with a Mexican made Fender (a little cheaper), but some players swear by them.

I want to learn how to play a guitar, but i don’t want to buy a really expensive one or really cheap one. Where can I buy an acoustic guitar for beginners and how much would it cost?

And is it hard to play? I already play the violin and piano.
How long do you think it would take to be ok at it? Do you think being self-taught would be ok?

$199 for a decent starter steel-string acoustic

You need to learn and practice the chords and hand positions.

It takes practice to get used to it. You get calluses on your fingers. But that’s part of it.

You’ll be fine being self-taught. But you have to practice correct habits before they become bad. There are a lot of YouTube videos. Practice songs you like, look up chords @ http://www.ultimate-guitar.com. Also learn how to read tabs.

It really helps to practice with songs you know because you know the tempo and how it sounds. It takes a lot of patience and practice everyday. You’ll do fine.