Cheap computer recording

**nitefly5150** · 12.13.06, 07:01 PM

Looking to move to recording on the computer for $300 or less. I'm leaning toward the Lexicon Omega, because (I am told) the 4 line inputs can be used for mics, so I can mic a drum set at reasonable-home-recording-quality.

Has anybody used this one? Other suggestions?

**HipCat5** · 12.14.06, 04:59 AM

Dirt cheap would be 2 sound cards and a 4 bus mixer. If you buy two different sound cards (examples: Sound Blaster Live! and Ensoniq PCI) that run two different sets of drivers, they'll live comfortably in the same computer. You don't need a lot of processing power (650Mhz will do at a bare minimum but more is better) but you'll want some nice big/fast hard drives.

If you can find a cheap 4 bus mixer with, for example, 16 channels, you'll have more than enough. Check out some of Behringer's mixers.

You might be pushing $300 for the mixer but consider the computer. If you don't already have one, look for one in newspaper bargain corner ads or garage sale or the like. Again, processor HELPS but its not absolutely necessary unless you're working plugins all the time. On older computers, grab a version of Cool Edit Pro or early editions of Adobe Audition. You could even run ProTools Free if you're willing to live with the 8 track limit and the older OS. (of course, read between the lines ... older machines mean not running Windows XP, not having all the bells & whistles, etc).

I think you can do it on your budget, but work smart and live with the concessions you'll need to make. Don't forget too, that you'll want microphones to mike your drum set (an additional cost as well). $300 is a small budget but you could manage it. I started my recording setup with $500 in a very similar fashion.

**guitar08man** · 12.14.06, 09:15 AM

line 6 toneport.

**nitefly5150** · 12.14.06, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by guitar08man

line 6 toneport.

Yeah, thought that was gonna be it. Problem is the software that comes w/ it only does 4 tracks. Cubase LE that ships w/ the Lexicon Omega and PreSonus Inspire does 48. So I'm told by the guys at Guitar Center (who I frankly don't trust).

**guitar08man** · 12.14.06, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by nitefly5150

Yeah, thought that was gonna be it. Problem is the software that comes w/ it only does 4 tracks. Cubase LE that ships w/ the Lexicon Omega and PreSonus Inspire does 48. So I'm told by the guys at Guitar Center (who I frankly don't trust).

i never figured out how to use ableton live, i dont think you could only do four tracks though. That smells like some bs to me.

you can use it with all kinds of different software.