Beginner in need of advice

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and to music making/creating/editing. So hello....

I'm looking for some advice really, I have a decent spec PC, a decent casio keyboard and a Fender Musicmaster Bass Guitar (and a Mandolin Banjo, but that probably wont get hooked up ;)). I however have almost no money, and would like some advice about how to connect the lot. I would like to be able to record audio with the bass, midi with the keyboard and possibly some audio with a trumpet. Once that is recorded then some editing and arranging tools would be most usefull. I used to use Cubase with a midi keyboard in GCSE music, but that was a few years ago now.

So, any idea what i would need to connect a bass guitar to a PC? A keyboard to PC? And some very cheap, if not free software I could use?

Thanks

A small USB audio interface might be what you need to get started - 2 in (with at least one mic preamp), 2 out, with MIDI in. Some keyboards come with USB, but they usually carry loads of latency so an interface with MIDI really makes a difference. Your bass could go direct to the USB interface, but you would also need to get a microphone for the trumpet (there are plenty of cheap mic manufacturers out there, CAD, MXL, Behringer and others).

As far as DAW's (editing and arranging software) go, I use Reaper, by Cockos. It costs only 60 USD, and comes included with a bucket load of plugins for mixing and such - has everything you need to get started. Also, Reaper supports VST and there are plenty of freeware VST plugins around (including synths).

yeah, kokeboka pretty much nailed it. i take it the casio keyboard has a MIDI out port?

Oi there !

You could check out the (original) Alesis IO2. It's an inexpensive little USB audio interface with dedicated controllers for each channel and a rather sturdy alu casing..comes bundled with Cubase LE..

http://www.alesis.com/io2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alesis-IO2-24-bit-USB-computer-audio-interface-No-Reserve-IO-2-/190602348895?pt=Midi_Controllers&hash=item2c60c9095f

Cheers,

io

  On 11/21/2011 at 10:10 PM, kokeboka said:

As far as DAW's (editing and arranging software) go, I use Reaper, by Cockos. It costs only 60 USD, and comes included with a bucket load of plugins for mixing and such - has everything you need to get started. Also, Reaper supports VST and there are plenty of freeware VST plugins around (including synths).

Seconded. Reaper works great and is cheap. Google it right now and you'll have it installed / operational in less than two minutes. I would add that the demo version has NO limitation (the only thing is that "Purchase Me" window that stay on top a few seconds at every launch ; anyway you'll probably want to buy it eventually if you give it a serious try).

And for connecting your equipment, you may want to buy a very cheap interface, or rather save a little bit of money for a better one. There are many different solutions according to your budget. The question is : will you want to buy a more serious interface in a near future? If so, saving up could be the option. I bought my interface (Presonus Firebox) two years ago for about 250€ (I don't really remember to be honest) and I'm fine with it but will be thinking about changing it when I'll have two or three more pieces of equipment to connect to the pc.

My point is that a very cheap interface will have a cheap sound but you don't have to focus on that : you could also buy a 1000 € / pounds or whatever audio interface with 4 inputs and it won't change the music you'll process with it.

Thanks guys, I'll have a look around and see what i can find from your advice. I'll let you know what i get when I have it.

get audacity for free and learn it

get a cracked copy of fl or reason from craigslist/torrent for peanuts

and what they^^^^^ said about reaper is all true