Recording Solution For $200?

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Pastasauce
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Recording Solution For $200?

Post by Pastasauce »

Well, it's my wife Sarah's turn to have GAS.

We were talking about selling our digital camera (we both have iPhones so we never use it), and I was sneakily hoping I'd have some more GAS money out of it. But she had other ideas. She plays acoustic and sings, and she wants to be able to record herself.

We have an iMac, so we'll use Garageband, and we have Logitech Z4 speakers with a subwoofer. Pretty basic stuff but it puts out a good, loud noise. I'm keen to get something that's simple and that will be able to record an amp decently too. Other than that, we're not looking to put together a home studio or anything, just to have something that can record decently well.

My budget would be $200... which isn't much. I really like the look of the Apogee ONE, (http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/one.php) which I've read good reviews of, but which costs $300 on Trademe.

SM57's and an interface are out of our budget too. I'd probably prefer a USB mic like the ONE anyway, less to worry about, and like I say, we're not trying to record The Dark Side of the Moon.

Is this worth pursuing? As in, is there anything out there around $200 worth looking into?

Help would be much appreciated.

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by jeremyb »

Secondhand m-audio fast track and one of the 12 gauges Ed is gonna import :)
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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by crowbgood1 »

I have heard these are not bad for what your 'Missus" wants to do.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrume ... 938408.htm
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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by Axel95 »

try to get some behringer stuff. their pro audio stuff are great
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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by Pastasauce »

We do have an old Audio-Techinca ATM41HE on permanent loan from Sarah's brother... but to be honest I'm not sure it even works. Anyone know anything about that mic?

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by SixGunLover »

crowbgood1 wrote:I have heard these are not bad for what your 'Missus" wants to do.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrume ... 938408.htm
Not a bad suggestion - I've used them for recording interviews and once my mate recorded me playing acoustic and singing with one; sounded nice in a kind of raw but fairly faithful way.

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by rickenbackerkid »

M-audio fast track will do it. Or even better, focusrite scarlett 2i2, better pres, easy to use. I have the bigger Scarlett, it goes well and I think the preamps sound good. I've never been able to get an acoustic guitar sound that I've really liked with a 57, until I used the focusrite pres, and there it was.

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by Kloppsta »

you have already answered your own question :) if you want a simple all in one no fuss good sounding recording solution get the Apogee One and be done with it. You already have the imac and iphones which you can use your One with and Garageband. So save up an extra hand shandy, get that and call it a day! One device, one cable, one computer. You could go down the cheap or second hand usb/firewire interface + mic route, but really, why would you?

if they can pull this off with the One, then it should be SWEET for your needs based on what you have said you wanna do

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwR2q5Obzs[/youtube]
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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by willow13 »

Kloppsta wrote:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwR2q5Obzs[/youtube]
she could sell me one....just sayin
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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by Pastasauce »

That's the video that got me interested in the One. Maybe it'll be an option... see what else we can sell :-).

Ben, that M-Audio Fast Track looks the business, and there's one on Trademe with a $100 reserve. Still need a mic though, right?

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by jeremyb »

Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by bender »

The Apogee One is a truly excellent option. They've just released a new one (that's compatible with iOS devices too) so the original ones may be available for less.

M-Audio Fast Track and a Red12 mic wouldn't be a bad option either.

Grab either AIR Ignite (see the thread I posted today about it) or Reaper as a free alternative to Garageband.

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by Pastasauce »

I think I'm going to go for a M-Audio Fast Track, especially if I can get one for close to $100. Our mic might actually work, and if not, I could get an SM57 and still come under budget on an Apogee One (as cool as they look).

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by Capt. Black »

Thanks for the heads up Bendy! The new One looks freakin great. It's on my shopping list now. Jam for the iPhone and One for the iPad. I'm really loving all the cool directions iOS audio and recording can go.

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Re: Recording Solution For $200?

Post by nikar »

I used the model before this for about 4 years before upgrading to a focusrite. Never had a problem and I still throw it in the case for use with the laptop when I need to go mobile.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrume ... 921141.htm

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