Buying Recording Gear: Where to Start?

[GSR]

Heyo.

So I'm interested in some recording gear. The little crap microphone that comes with my computer and the sound recorder program isn't very inspiring.... Where do I start? Do I need bass-specific recording equipment? Are there essentials? Optionals? What should I look at first? Mics? Mixing boards? This 'n' that?

edit: possibly wrong forum; move away if need be.

[Appfro]

well first off, are you going to be doing any vocal recording? secondly, since you have a bass you don't have the debate over pickup vs soundhole recording. so your options are to run your set up up into a recorder that will send it to your computer, or set up a mic in front of your amp and send that to your computer (both of those obviously if you're going to record through your computer)

ok
1. straight to your computer
advantages:
less equipment to buy
don't have to worry w/ surrounding noise when recording
recording equipment usually has a lot of effects on it if you want to use it
you can listen to other tracks out loud and not through headphones

disadvantages
often a cold sound
have to be careful not to blow your sound card
can't hear what you're playing w/o headphones

2. micing your amp
advantages
warm mic sound
can use any effects pedals you have and be able to hear them
play as loud and as hard as you want

disadvantages
have to be careful of surrounding noise
more equipment to buy
have to wear headphones for muti-track recording

1. straight to computer
equipment
you can go the really cheap route and just get a 1/4" to a 1/8" plug, but your sound is going to be bad and you're going to have to be careful not to blow your soundcard

you can also go a little more expensive by getting some sort of recording device that you plug into and then runs to your computer via usb.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=150179
that is just an example. you can find cheaper ones that do the same thing, you just have to make sure they have a usb out. the description for that actually doesn't have it listed, but i think that's the one i have which i why i put it there.

then you'll use the recording software on your computer

2. mic your amp.
equipment
if you mic your amp, obviously you're going to need a good mic, a mic stand, if you're using a condenser mic, then something that will supply it w/ phantom power, and equipment to get that to your computer. i have that digitech pedal and it has a mic input too so that's what i use. for phantom power i use this
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=631237
which miguel showed me and it's awesome. if you don't use a condenser mic, you dont need that thing at all. regular mics will work just fine w/ whatever you get to send the sound to your computer.

if you're not wanting to use your computer, then you're going to have to have some sort of track recorder and playback system. here is an expensive one that comes in a package, but it has basically everything that you would need for a beginner recording set up.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... =topseller

i personally hate these things because post-recording tweaking is nearly impossible and it's really hard to get to used to using the software in the first place.

hope i helped a little. that's a crash course. if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

[sfmartins]

This gave me some ideas too. I might get into this soon.

Thanks!

[GSR]

Thanks for the post apps, a great help. I don't plan on doing any vocals anytime soon. Thanks again!