COMPLETE NEWBIE to recording hardware / software

[DjFuzzyMcPickle]

Presonus Audiobox 44VSL with the latest drivers for the universal control software apparently one has to have to be part of this 3 ring circus. After a couple of days in April not getting it to work AFTER getting told 38 different things to do, having one of their techs then have access to my computer and frankly he seemed like a knowledgable dude, but still a lot throwing darts. He spent at least an hour or two says to me "they didn't even have a working version for windows 10 claiming the piece is too old." Although I know that's possible but then "why did you just spend that time and not know that then (the update for it was out 3 weeks before so either he didn't know orrrr......) and why did Presonus update the UC to see the unit but the latest DAW Studio One 6 does not????? For Windows 10?".......Again Crickets.

So if anyone out there has any ideas or massive knowledge on this kinda stuff I'd greatly appreciate it.

[jim1960]

If their tech spent over an hour trying to get it to work, there's either something on your computer that's conflicting with the Presonus drivers in some disastrous way or your 11+ year old unit is broken. The unit isn't worth getting repaired since the cost of repair would be more than the value of the unit. And if the problem is something on your computer, tracking it down won't be easy. Might be time to bite the bullet ...but perhaps someone here has something else you might try.

[DjFuzzyMcPickle]

Don't disagree but the unit is solid. Was brand new in the box because I just took it out of the box from 9 yrs ago when i bought it. computer is pretty dern safe as well. this is more of a "last ditch effort" because it's a perfect unit to start learning some recording / DAW as it's just myself one other person acoustics, amps mics etc.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by DjFuzzyMcPickle

Don't disagree but the unit is solid. Was brand new in the box because I just took it out of the box from 9 yrs ago when i bought it. computer is pretty dern safe as well. this is more of a "last ditch effort" because it's a perfect unit to start learning some recording / DAW as it's just myself one other person acoustics, amps mics etc.

But clearly something is wrong. If you do decide to move on and want to do so inexpensively, my recommendation would be either the MOTU M2 or the Audient iD4 MKII. Both are excellent interfaces that deliver a lot of quality for the price.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by DjFuzzyMcPickle

Don't disagree but the unit is solid. Was brand new in the box because I just took it out of the box from 9 yrs ago when i bought it. computer is pretty dern safe as well. this is more of a "last ditch effort" because it's a perfect unit to start learning some recording / DAW as it's just myself one other person acoustics, amps mics etc.

...not if it doesn't work for you.

I'm a bit jaded when it comes to "computer recording". At one time I piddled away $179 on Sonar (9? maybe later...) with three calls to their help line resulting in a final "I can't answer your question. It should work". A refund of my hard-earned money might have been a better thing to offer me.

I figure I can only waste so many hours before I realize my time would have been much better utilized laying down tracks than trying unsuccessfully to get my computer recording setup to function.

My M.O. is now to do audio capture with a multi-track digital recorder and port the tracks to the PC for editing. I have a stable enough system to do that, but hopefully I'll never again have to do actual recording with a computer. The thing I've found most helpful is once you get a interface, software, and computer that works together is to disconnect from any networking and disable automatic updates, etc.

There's a lot of things it COULD be, but all I can offer is commiseration. You are not alone!

[DjFuzzyMcPickle]

Well the good news:

The fine folks and specifically the tenacity of the tech (Nick @ Presonus) who through the remote process figured out the reason, applied the right update and when he did his final piece even typed ..."Bammm" with confidence as he refreshed in front of me. All working.

And again - I agree to the most part with all the replies for a moment. Like I said it was just a last ditch effort before I threw it out. At least now I can attempt (with about 6 months of holy crap is this stuff confusing) to learn some basics of digital recording, minimalistic mixing...the basics enough to comfortable enough for what we're doing.

Once I get through that I've got my eye on the Tascam Model 12. Kind of an all in one that acts as a mini studio / Recorder and seamlessly with all the DAW's that I'vet checked including the Presonus Studio One 6 I'm trying to learn. But man I feel like i'm gonna have to hire someone for some lessons.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by DjFuzzyMcPickle

At least now I can attempt (with about 6 months of holy crap is this stuff confusing) to learn some basics of digital recording, minimalistic mixing...the basics enough to comfortable enough for what we're doing.

Congrats! Glad that worked out for you in the end.
If you haven't already checked it out, the stickied thread in this sub-forum has loads of helpful information to guide you through the recording and mixing minefield.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by DjFuzzyMcPickle

Well the good news:

The fine folks and specifically the tenacity of the tech (Nick @ Presonus) who through the remote process figured out the reason, applied the right update and when he did his final piece even typed ..."Bammm" with confidence as he refreshed in front of me. All working.

And again - I agree to the most part with all the replies for a moment. Like I said it was just a last ditch effort before I threw it out. At least now I can attempt (with about 6 months of holy crap is this stuff confusing) to learn some basics of digital recording, minimalistic mixing...the basics enough to comfortable enough for what we're doing.

Once I get through that I've got my eye on the Tascam Model 12. Kind of an all in one that acts as a mini studio / Recorder and seamlessly with all the DAW's that I'vet checked including the Presonus Studio One 6 I'm trying to learn. But man I feel like i'm gonna have to hire someone for some lessons.

Congrats to you and Presonus --- Ah yes the correct drivers for the unit OS and DAW are requisite for getting it to work properly. Hopefully with that compatibility issue out of way, you can begin to focus on what the actual steps will be to learn about Digital Audio Recording .
Honestly the basics are no more complex than what you will deal with trying to go to an all in one box like the Tascam which will in fact (regardless of hype) likely not give the quality of pre amps and conversion that your current Audio Box interface offers and IMO that $600 would be far better spent on mics.

Remember the inescapable fact that to reach any given price point, the more things and features the mixer has the more compromise there will be in the basic components

In any case welcome to the world of home recording There are a number of folks hear that use Studio One that will more than likely be very willing to make suggestions about using the software
With that in mind you might want to put a list of your basic system in your signature line (like I did below) to make things much more efficient for getting suggestions

[runamuck]

To really understand any complicated recording software like Studio One from scratch requires hours and hours and hours of learning.

[DjFuzzyMcPickle]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Congrats to you and Presonus --- Ah yes the correct drivers for the unit OS and DAW are requisite for getting it to work properly. Hopefully with that compatibility issue out of way, you can begin to focus on what the actual steps will be to learn about Digital Audio Recording . Honestly the basics are no more complex than what you will deal with trying to go to an all in one box like the Tascam which will in fact (regardless of hype) likely not give the quality of pre amps and conversion that your current Audio Box interface offers and IMO that $600 would be far better spent on mics. Remember the inescapable fact that to reach any given price point, the more things and features the mixer has the more compromise there will be in the basic components.

In any case welcome to the world of home recording. There are a number of folks hear that use Studio One that will more than likely be very willing to make suggestions about using the software With that in mind you might want to put a list of your basic system in your signature line (like I did below) to make things much more efficient for getting suggestions

Appreciate the advice and I completely agree. I've had great luck with Reverb and FB Marketplace over the yrs and already picked up 2 Blue Baby Bottle Mics (perfect condition same person sold me both for 300$ / going rate right now is 320 @ GC - guessing they were used once for a party or event...they even had that NEW MIC smell - haha), a Senheiser E906 (100$ used) for one of the cabinets (Fender Acoustasonic) that doesn't have a DI out and an AKG C214 (250 - Used again). Long time friend whose done a lot of recording helped me find all these used local (Minneapolis is thankfully a city with a HUUUUGE Live music scene so the amount of gear on Marketplace local alone is really good). So 650 for 4 really decent entry level mics.

Were pretty basic. 2-3 people on Acoustic guitar / 2 Vocalists / 1 dude playing the drum box thingy and Acoustic bass.

Actually I got lucky with of all places Guitar Center. Local kid who works at my local GC, picking his brain on a few questions mentions that he graduated from IPR (Minneapolis) gives private lessons to help get started to as far as I want the help and spend for the time. 40$ an hr / 2 hr min per session. 1st Lesson on Monday. I figure if I hire him for 10-20 hrs of tutorials saves me thousands of hrs of mistakes, he's worth it.

So in a few weeks I'm hoping to have some practice stuff recorded.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by DjFuzzyMcPickle

"Honestly the basics are no more complex than what you will deal with trying to go to an all in one box like the Tascam which will in fact (regardless of hype) likely not give the quality of pre amps and conversion that your current Audio Box interface offers and IMO that $600 would be far better spent on mics.

Remember the inescapable fact that to reach any given price point, the more things and features the mixer has the more compromise there will be in the basic components

In any case welcome to the world of home recording. There are a number of folks hear that use Studio One that will more than likely be very willing to make suggestions about using the software With that in mind you might want to put a list of your basic system in your signature line (like I did below) to make things much more efficient for getting suggestions[/QUOTE ]"

Gotta work on those quote skills too.

[DjFuzzyMcPickle]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Gotta work on those quote skills too.

Hahahaha.....Oh there's no doubt that I'm not the best on this sites functions at times. I cleaned it up there and even got fancy with links (even though these are pieces that are common) I just wanted to practice.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by DjFuzzyMcPickle

Appreciate the advice and I completely agree. I've had great luck with Reverb and FB Marketplace over the yrs and already picked up 2 Blue Baby Bottle Mics (perfect condition same person sold me both for 300$ / going rate right now is 320 @ GC - guessing they were used once for a party or event...they even had that NEW MIC smell - haha), a Senheiser E906 (100$ used) for one of the cabinets (Fender Acoustasonic) that doesn't have a DI out and an AKG C214 (250 - Used again). Long time friend whose done a lot of recording helped me find all these used local (Minneapolis is thankfully a city with a HUUUUGE Live music scene so the amount of gear on Marketplace local alone is really good). So 650 for 4 really decent entry level mics.

Were pretty basic. 2-3 people on Acoustic guitar / 2 Vocalists / 1 dude playing the drum box thingy and Acoustic bass.

Actually I got lucky with of all places Guitar Center. Local kid who works at my local GC, picking his brain on a few questions mentions that he graduated from IPR (Minneapolis) gives private lessons to help get started to as far as I want the help and spend for the time. 40$ an hr / 2 hr min per session. 1st Lesson on Monday. I figure if I hire him for 10-20 hrs of tutorials saves me thousands of hrs of mistakes, he's worth it.

So in a few weeks I'm hoping to have some practice stuff recorded.

Ok a real time saver to have the tutor show you how to do is to set up user defined templates. In Studio One it would be save as a "Song template" that way all you have to do when opening S 1 is select the template and all the tracks , routing, and any commonly use plugins are all set up so can just hit record and go

[DjFuzzyMcPickle]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Ok a real time saver to have the tutor show you how to do is to set up user defined templates. In Studio One it would be save as a "Song template" that way all you have to do when opening S 1 is select the template and all the tracks , routing, and any commonly use plugins are all set up so can just hit record and go

Nice - Now even though I didn't know the jargon or terminology that was on my list of questions. With 25 yrs of DJ software and general PA / Live sound work I think I will hopefully pick up on this faster than the average complete newbie. But that's definitely stuff i like to hear where I can say "hey...what this dude says...yeah we need to do that...and show me how". I'm big on old school. don't fish for me, show me the stuff!!

Always appreciate those kinda tips!

[DjFuzzyMcPickle]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Ok a real time saver to have the tutor show you how to do is to set up user defined templates. In Studio One it would be save as a "Song template" that way all you have to do when opening S 1 is select the template and all the tracks , routing, and any commonly use plugins are all set up so can just hit record and go

UPDATE: Well I'm EXTREMELY happy to say this was probably the best solicitation money invested for help I've ever got from of all places GC. This young gentleman who I referred to as the kid (because he looks like he's 18-20) is actually 32...and was one of the INSTRUCTORS @ IPR here in Minneapolis . (I suddenly felt about as old as Yoda). So within two hrs yesterday took a complete recording idiot like me walked me through:
* Setting up the basic preferences on the interface and software for starters including
* Routing the channels to the right ins and out outs
* Helped set the vocal mics, Amp(s) levels / EQ and basic parameters for each input application and E906 mic for the Fender Amp (general placement config for this set up)
* Set up a template as you suggested with all of these channels, settings saved, labeled.
* Got me to the point of yesterday / last night where I laid down some "takes" of misc noodling and how to save that file(s) again without disturbing the original template of course.

Screenshot (28).jpg

2hrs and 100$ I think of all the money wasted over the yrs and I see this as a solid return on this investment for this and getting back into some commercial voice over work recording samples / demos.

What was super cool was just his step by step process, very structured and detailed yet flowed from one step to the next. Gave me some basic homework and a list of what he will take me though next sessions and thing to think about, questions, problems etc and were gonna get together again in about 2 weeks. I'm going to email him some quick rough "noodle" sessions and said that will also help him tweak any EQ settings etc. As he also complimented / acknowledged "Your 35 yrs of Live Sound / Pro audio / Dj software, guitar amps etc will certainly help you learn this much faster than most". Although I appreciated the compliment really he deserved all the credit. He really made that 1st lesson easy, fun, waaaaay less intimidating than I thought and totally jazzed about this next phase in learning. Kids gotta have 50-100k in his own studio set up (guessing by the pics). Pretty darn smart kid. Got his degree - so good the school hires him as an instructor for about 3 yrs - builds his own studio work for people - buys all his studio gear for his biz as a Mgr for GC (at his employee discount) and of course writes it all / most off for his biz expenditures. I was pretty darn impressed with this kid!

Moral of the story today - For anyone a complete newbie like me to recording especially for us acoustic dudes, I HIGHLY recommend trying this route if you're in a med / bigger city. Whether it's GC or FB pages or whatever. Apparently our local GC's used to offer this like instrument lessons (makes sense) then they got rid of it because of not enough interest students (makes sense too). Youtube vids are great for some things, but so much time wasted on misc ramblings where to me - time in life is money (valuable). Will I learn everything in 20 hrs? No but I think in about 25-50 hrs of his time I think will save me 100's of hrs of back forth chat rooms etc. With 2 more weeks off before I go back to work, me sees myself indoors a lot more than I should be (haha).