| During Charade (1997) , I used a BRC with 2 ALESIS ADATS. The 2 ADATS used version 4.03 software. They worked like a charm together. I had bought one ADAT new and one used, (it only had 17 hours on it!) and I linked the live tracks off the ADATS with computer tracks off my Mac SE30 (an older computer even at the time, but an absolute workhorse!) and Performer software. I still have an ADAT just in case I want to transfer old tracks to hard-disk, but have not used it in years.
LINKING TOGETHER
Equipment is getting much easier to link together. There are many stand-alone recording units, including computers using everything from Garage Band to Band-in-a-Box. I still prefer to have some modules working together for midi files and I have a Motu 828 to record to hard disk. Since I do mostly pre-production, simple tracks and vocals, so this is all I need. I get a clean sound and can easily transfer sound files to WAV files to FTP anywhere in the world.
TECHNICAL STUFF
MIDI FILES: To get midi files, you will be using sound modules or a keyboard to enter notes into your sequencing program. You can easily change the duration of notes, the velocity and the pitch in a midi file. You can also export this file to start a music score. I usually have to do quite a bit of editing for written scores I export this way, though.
HARD DISK: For sound files, where you'll record your vocals, guitars or other acoustic instruments, you'll need some sort of firewire connection between your microphone and computer. Many studios go direct without a seperate sound board and just use a small mixer.
MICROPHONES
Buy the best all-around microphone you can afford. It doesn't have to be terribly expensive. I still have my AKG C3000 which has done very well for me. I have recorded solo vocals and choruses with it on my musicals, all with very good results. But I'm not in the "studio business". I am in the songwriting business and I use my studio for many of my projects and for clients who are producing demos and small projects.
FUTURE USE
Having a system that already works well together that's within your budget is a valuable asset when you embark on a project. The time and money spent on learning a new system set-up may not be worth it in the long run.
It's very tempting to always want a bigger and faster computer and more equipment, but using what you have to it's maximum potential will take you far. I learn more by "doing" than just reading the manual. Although manuals are also very important! It's helped me to work in some different studios to see what equipment works well together and also what seems pretty user-friendly. If you love to tinker around endlessly with sounds and equipment, go ahead and try all sorts of combinations. But if you're a songwriter, stick with the basics and find some good studios you can network with and trust. It will be a better use of time and money.
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