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Hi Paul,
It would help to know what operating system you use: Windows, Mac or Linux?
Many DAWs run on Windows and Mac, but not necessarily equally well, and some only run on one platform.You will also need an audio interface.
There is plenty of choice but again, while most audio interfaces are compatibles with all platforms, some will only run on one or the other.
Focusrite has some very capable interfaces (the Scarlett series) that come in various sizes and with a variable number of inputs and outputs. It seems to be a popular choice among AM members, and rightly so. But if you are on Mac, you should probably also consider Universal Audio’s Apollo Twin X.You may also need a decent microphone. The choice will depend on your budget and on then type of guitar you want to record (electric or acoustic).
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Great thanks Jean-Michel. I am on MacBook Pro. Garage band (DAW) is included but honestly, I do not find it very good or maybe I am just that good at using it. I play both electric and acoustic although my acoustic does not have electronics/pick-ups so that complicates things a bit – it would have to be recorded by a mic. I’d need just the basics at this point in terms of gear, mics, DAW, Audio Interface etc.
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Hi Paul,
If you are serious about recording and are on a Mac I would just pony up for Logic Pro as a DAW. It will be all you’ll ever need. A Focusrite Sarlett 2i2 input device has served me well. Universal Audio equipment is excellent but expensive. You could upgrade at a later point. A Shure SM57 dynamic mic is an industry standard for recording electric guitar and very inexpensive. It’s all I have ever used since joining AM. Condenser mics are better for acoustic but tend to be more expensive. I haven’t found one yet that I’m really happy with. Fortunately, I have electronics in my acoustic guitars.
John-
I second what Charjo said. If you look at the music studios of the pro musicians on Youtube, you will see that almost all of them use Apple products. I started off with GarageBand, but the problem with the basic Apple software is that they tried so hard to make it easy for non-technical people to use, that it’s hard for people with more advanced skills (meaning us AM members) to use. So early in my career I upgraded from GarageBand to Logic Pro, and I found Logic Pro much easier to use. Same with iMovie. To me, it was almost unusable. So I upgraded to Final Cut Pro, which works like a charm. Both of those have an initial learning curve, but if you watch a few beginner tutorials on Youtube, you can figure it out.
For mics, I have a Rode M3 condenser mic and a Shure SM-58 mic + Klark Teknik Mic Booster CT 1. Why the Mic Booster, you ask? Because an SM-57/58 only gives a feeble signal into your DAW, so it needs a little pre-amp boost (powered by the 48V phantom voltage provided by the Scarlett). BTW, I love my Rode mic, works like a charm, sounds great with an acoustic. It brings out the treble notes better than the SM-58.
Sunjamr Steve
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Paul, I echo what Charjo said. I used GarageBand for several years and it worked perfectly fine. There’s plenty of YouTube videos if you need help with it. I found this to be a helpful resource:
I finally bought Pro Logic and it was pretty easy making the transition from GarageBand.
Like many others here I also use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 which lets me plug in 2 devices at once like a guitar and a mic. I bought a Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone (US$69.00 on Amazon) and it’s been working fine for my purposes. If I upgrade it I would probably get the Shure SM57 Charjo mentioned.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
Since you’re on Mac, I would also recommend Logic Pro. It’s a pro-level DAW, but you will be able to get started smoothly. Some members here will even tell you that it is easier to use than Garage Band. You’ll also find plenty of (good) tutorials on the internet.
One of the big advantages is that it integrates with Core Audio, so you don’t need any drivers and you will never have to update anything when installing a new version of macOS.I also agree regarding the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Focusrite manufactures among the best preamps at that pay grade.
They also integrate with Core Audio, so no drivers!Whenever the subject of microphones comes up, the Shure SM57 gets mentioned… I won’t argue against it. It’s certainly not a bad microphone, although in my opinion its primary qualities are its low price and its ruggedness… But if you want a faithful recording of your acoustic instrument, you will probably want one or two condenser microphones – and the skills to use them properly!
Another option for you would be to have your guitar serviced by a competent luthier who will install an LR Baggs or Fishman pickup system. You can actually do it yourself if you are a DIY enthusiast. But piezo pickups typically don’t sound that good compared to a microphone.
This being said, they may actually sound better than the room that you may have to make do with when recording with an external microphone… -
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