Is a mini-studio a good idea ?

[digisequencer]

Hi there,

over the last hours I was pondering the idea of how to cope with my musical skills.
I know I prefer to play against some music, so usually I dig out some CDs with songs I`d like to play someday.
But I would also like to get some of my own song-material ready. I have some tunes, some nice riffs I´ve been playing lately plus I have some texts or text fragments, but I seem not to be able to get something together.
So I was thinking about recording some of my riffs and trying to play against them and so maybe getting into a song.
And then I thought about the possibilities. Either I connect my amp to my PC and use just some software or I buy a mini-studio.
I looked up some infos and think that this 2001 Boss BR-532 might be a good start (although it´s still quite expensive for someone who just starts there, I know). Somehow the idea appeals to me to be able to create not only drum parts with it but also bass parts.
Anyone has experience with it ?
On the other hand I know that way back when I put my PC together I got myself the latest best soundcard and I remember it had tons of software coming with it (a creative soundblaster 5.1 I think). Gotta look up what exactly came with it and if that would do the job as well.

What do you think ? Should I try with the software ? Anyone has some good advice on good recording software ? Or would it be best to start with such a mini-studio right away ?

[tac5]

No matter how you put it together, a computer based or stand alone digital recorder, it will open up a whole new world for you. I have a home studio built around a Tascam 2488 with lots of outboard effects, keyboard MIDI controller, guitars, and Boss DR 880 for recording rhythm tracks. It's amazing what one person can do (it's not always possible to gather a group of good musicians together). My playing has improved greatly over the last year and my writing has really taken off. My only problem is that I want to spend all my time working on music and I have other things I must do (for now). I wish I had built a home studio years ago.

[digisequencer]

Thanks for your answer tac5, but my main problem is the money.

I want to set up something cheap that will be alright for a little home recording and I don´t want to go both ways at once.
For now I have found a freeware program and I am just getting started with it. So we´ll see if I really need anything else soon.

[Norcal_GIT_r]

Fostex has the MR-8 and Tascam has the DP-01, both are 8 track digital reocorders that cost $399.99. Both look to be easy to use. easier than the Boss looks.
Also Soundblaster soundcards are fine for playing CDs and mp3s but do not do that great of a job recording.
If you want to record on the PC, you'll want to look at a firewire interface with ASIO driver so that you have 0 latency recording.
If you are recording with a card that was latency you will find that your tracks do not sync properly to the backing track you'd be playing over.

Good luck Digi and have fun recording.

[Sherpa]

If you're looking for a really simple solution, I'm finding that my Apple Powerbook G4 works beautifully with Garageband through a Boss GS10.

Limited, but effective, and one can always move up to Logic Express software and a proper I/O box once needed to record a whole band (I mainly record and overdub guitar, bass and piano parts, so we're in the same boat).

Zero latency exists thanks to the Boss GS10's own card. Of course, this is only a relayively cost-effective solution if you already have an Apple computer...