What’s the best basic setup for home recording? Friend of Jamcast Matt Wallace wants to know, and resident expert Graeme has the answers. Here are their emails:
Hi Graeme:
I’m after a set-up which will let me record real instruments like guitars (acoustic, bass and electric) - as well simple percussion (bongos, congas, cajon) and then vocals as well.
I would, however, like the chance to get into learning about how to make good use of computer based instruments via midi controls etc, and I’m tempted to explore some drum machine options that are out there as well.
I’m afraid I’m drowning in acronyms with VST’s and DAW to be honest 
Matt
Hi Matt:
Recording is a tricky world to get into. Once you’ve got going though you’ll be laughing.
Right, so you’ll be recording real instruments rather than getting a computer to mimic them, which is always nice! You can forget about VST stuff (virtual studio technology) for now.
What you need is a microphone, a computer, and an audio interface. Bill says you have a Fast Track Pro, which is great. You plug your microphone into that, then the fast track into your computer.
The main bit of software that will do all your recording is called a digital audio workstation (DAW). Sounds technical, but it’s just a program that allows you to record multiple tracks (guitar, vocals etc) and add effects and the like to them, as well as changing their volumes and where they are panned (from left to right). There’s some stuff about them on Jamcast, here.
For recording real things I’d recommend getting a program called Pro Tools, by Digidesign. The top end version of this is the one they use in most proper studios. However, M-Audio do a super-budget stripped down version called M-Powered, which usually costs around £175.
If you want to investigate a bit before you buy there’s a couple of free DAWs available for PC called Audacity and Rapture.
Pro-tools runs on both PC and Mac (but slightly smoother on a Mac). The system requirements are in the link above. Any laptop that has at least those specs should be fine really.
For recording acoustic, percussion and vocals the best overall microphone for the job is a large-diaphragm condenser. These types range in price from £50 - £10,000! Here’s a few I’d recommend on a budget though (the most revered manufacturers there are AKG, SE and Rode):
M-Audio Nova (Bill’s got one of these..)
Electric guitar can be a bit trickier, what kind of amplifier do you have? Do you have any microphones already?
Bass is dead easy, you just need something called a DI box (DI stands for direct injection). The bass plugs into the DI box then you plug that into your fast track. Here’s a couple:
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