Recording - April 2014 - 53

So if you're sure that your audio quality will be good enough
for getting started, how do you choose an interface? Look at features and choose based on your needs. For example, the
PreSonus AudioBox 44VSL is a good choice if your computer's
main interface is USB 2.0, if you need four mic inputs so you
can mike a drum kit as described above, and if you need builtin MIDI and a good headphone amp and multiple outputs for
monitors. If, on the other hand, you want a hybrid interface that
handles USB and FireWire (for older Macs), MOTU makes interfaces like the 4pre and 8pre that will fill the bill.
PreSonus and MOTU are also of note because they include
DAW software in the box; The AudioBox comes with
PreSonus's Studio One Artist software, and MOTU bundles its
interfaces with Audiodesk, a Mac DAW that's basically Digital
Performer without MIDI. Most other interfaces at least come
with entry-level DAWs to get you started, but the two I mentioned are very full-featured in comparison, with more plug-ins,
track count, etc..
Which DAW? That's a whole article in itself. Again, audio
quality is uniform enough for a beginner that it's a secondary
consideration; look for features and useful bundled content (why
pay an extra $200 for 50 GB of loops you'll never need?), a
comfortable-feeling workspace (everyone's tastes are different),
and strongly consider who'll be sharing your work, if anyone.
Pro Tools isn't cheap, but it's still the most popular DAW out
there. Recent advances in DAWs like Cubase and SONAR have
largely leveled the playing field, so Pro Tools isn't the prerequisite it used to be at the starter level, but if your colleagues are
using a particular platform, it will help if you do too.
Sometimes choices can be dictated by your genre: Ableton Live
is a great example. Originally designed for dance music, Live is
a very flexible and powerful DAW in any style but still wears its
four-on-the-floor heart on its sleeve.

In terms of bang per buck, perhaps the most cost-effective DAW
right now is Cockos' Reaper, for which you can buy a license for
as little as $60. One Windows alternative is Acoustica's beginnerfriendly Mixcraft, and another is N-Track Studio, one of the first
affordable DAW programs. I find its interface somewhat clunky,
and its handling of MIDI more-than-clunky, but for audio it's actually a fairly powerful program, and deserves more attention. And,
of course, all new Macs come with GarageBand for free, and the
full Logic Pro X DAW is now under $200.
Some final thoughts
Of course, even in the best room with splendid monitors, an
interface, a DAW and microphones aren't enough. You're going
to need mic stands-including one robust enough to hold a
stereo pair over a drumkit-and cables. For the moment,
because this article is already plenty long, I'm going to fudge
that, and say that since you're probably a performing musician,
you likely have those already, and can use your live kit to furnish
your recording kit. But!... if any of your mic stands rattle, tighten
what's rattling-and if you can't get the rattle to go away, pitch
the stand. Rattling stands degrade both live and recorded sound.
One final note: Readers may still be tempted to shave some
cost off their bottom line by omitting the room treatment we discussed in Part 1. I urge you-don't do it. If you need to cut costs,
do so by using some of the DIY room treatment options I outlined
earlier. They may look a little funkier than the factory-made treatments-but, properly employed, they can make a mediocre
space into one capable of making truly fine recordings. And
isn't that what all this is about?
Paul J. Stamler (stamler@recordingmag.com) is a recording
engineer, educator, and collector of interesting vintage audio,
living and working in St. Louis.

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Recording - April 2014

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