You are missing microphones and something to put the microphone into. Don't record direct. Record with a mic that is mic'ing an amp. Think we recorded our album with a POD or Powerblock? Not a chance.

We do demos Danny's way. Not really meant for public consumption though. Decent sounding but a little sterile.

Also, I figured that since Matt spent so much on getting the guitars for the sound he wanted that he might want to record something with a real studio quality.

I'd say that my first upgrade will be an M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 card, to replace the Santa Cruz card. For recording as a one-man-band, I don't really foresee me needing anymore than that. The only reason I'd mentioned my PowerBlock is, to be able to add and have better control over effects than with using the POD. Of course, for using a computer, I could always record clean then add the desired effects.

For now, I'm just looking at what's the quickest, absolute bare minimum means to start recording, then evolve my home recording studio from the setup I've mentioned in my initial query. At this point, I may go for the Bass POD XT before I go for the Guitar POD XT, as I don't yet have a POD for my bass(es). I've already got my Guitar POD 2.0, so it'll have to do, until I'm able to go for the XT. I'm not quite sure, yet, what other rack mount devices will join the future Guitar and Bass PODs, but at this point I don't really see myself needing anymore than an 8-space rack, in order to get the best sounds possible as my studio evolves.

Matt

Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

This is coming from a total recording newbie and my goals were not to compete with the level of quality demanded by someone like say Jake who is recording albums for a real working band! He has real deal gorgeous amps and needs to capture every nuance that gear is capable of producing. I just want to document my ideas, make backing tracks to practice over, do stuff for my kids, etc. If you are more into what I describe, this advise might be helpful.

For PC recording there are a number of direct to USB and firewire machines that don't require a special soundcard. I picked up an M-audio Black Box for $139 (they're more than that now) and I can't think of anything I've bought in the last couple years that was a cooler piece of kit. It not only has direct in but it also has a mic cable in for "real" recording. Tons of other options in the less than $200 range.

Mine has 50 or so drumbeats, tons of amp models (I pretty much only use the Fender twin for surf/spaghetti), tons of effects. Heck the Tremolo effect is so good it's making me search out boutique trems because the usual suspects aren't as good as the black box. For "rough demos", backing tracks to practice to, just documenting ideas, it's awesome.

I do plan on getting a mic, but not until I invest in good software. I have no difficult doing multi-track stuff but then again, I'm not using particularly sophisticated software, just the free Ableton and the free Audacity someone else here recommended. If you'd like I could crank a quick one take off the top of the head thing, and time how long it took to get it recorded and send it to you...

badash
I picked up an M-audio Black Box for $139 (they're more than that now) and I can't think of anything I've bought in the last couple years that was a cooler piece of kit.

I picked one of these up here in the UK for the same price. I'm using it as an interface into Garageband on the iMac for my demos and it's really good. I use a Tascam HDD for recording the band, and the Black Box works very well with that too - wheras interfaces like the Line6 guitar one only work with a computer.

The drum machine is about as un-surf as it's Roger Linn heritage would suggest (very early 90s 'power kit') but it's good fun for doing Angus Young impersonations using the excellent JTM45 emulation. Nonetheless, as an interface and amp simulator it's extremely useful for surf demos - though admittedly much better with an outboard tank.

If you buy one, make sure you either have firmware version 2 or upgrade your Box (free) from M- Audio's website, as the version 1 has only twelve amp sims (instead of 40), no reverb etc. - I had to do this with mine.

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.

For $500 or less on e-bay - you can make professional recordings with this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Korg-Digital-Recording-Studio-D1200-w-Mic-Stand_W0QQitemZ110157237081QQihZ001QQcategoryZ23785QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem