[stud6543]

So the holidays are coming up and that means gifts. Because my birthday and Christmas are so close together, I can usually milk a bigger gift out of my parents. This year, I've decided I want that gift to be a start in recording. The only problem, I have absolutely no idea where to start. The following is what I am thinking of getting:

CAD Mic Set CAD Premium 7-Piece Drum Microphone Pack and more Percussion Microphones at GuitarCenter.com.

TASCAM Interface TASCAM US-2000 USB AUDIO INTERFACE and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.

Accessory wise, I have no idea what's best. If I'm not mistaking, I think I need 7 XLRs for the mics to go to the interface? But I have no idea what cables to get.

On a technological standpoint, I have an iMac with a 500GB hard drive and 4GB RAM running at 2.66GHz. I have garage band, but suspect I need different software. I am not really looking for some over-the-top, expensive tool. $100 and lower would be nice. I thought Cubase Essentials 5 looked good, but its educational only and I'm not a college student.

So anyway, thanks for reading. Any help would be much appreciated. Please mention anything I might be forgetting. I thought it would be better to come here before going to Guitar Center and getting screwed by someone trying to upsell me due to my limited knowledge of the subject.


Stud6543

[tamamamama]

Fist of all, that Tascam does not have enough interfaces. Secondly, you'll want to look into what has support for Mac. And of course you can't forget the stands for the overheads and kick mic.
ART MX821 8-Channel Line Mixer and more Unpowered Mixers at GuitarCenter.com.
That is cheaper. What you really want is a mixer so you can have an EQ on each mic, but those are not cheap.

[Tainojim]

The M-Box is the standard for the Mac and it also comes with free software. You will need a mixer. Sure has a nice drum mic package also.

Friday the day after Thanksgiving, is Black Friday. Huge sales going on all over.

Look around before you decide on a good deal.

[stud6543]

Would something like this work:

YouTube - How I Record Drums!

It seems easy enough. Forgive me for being a neophyte, but what is the real difference between a mixer and an interface. From what I've seen, the interface option looks simpler and more effective. That PreSonus in the video looks nice.

Thanks

Stud6543

[Tainojim]

If you're using one mic, then connecting directly to the Inter-phase is OK.

When you use more than one mic, a mixer will allow you to make adjustments.

In this manner you get a more even sounding recording.