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I've recently acquired a fully functioning laptop (first in years) and I'd like to start recording/producing music.

Please share your expertise in regards to cheap yet reliable mboxes and good (preferably FREE) DAW programs to get me started.

Thanks in advance folks.

Here is a thread about recording which I posted alot in:

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=29166&hilit=recording+help

And here is a post from there that will help:

In terms of interfaces there are a few thing to consider. The main one is "how much am I actually going to use this thing?" Interfaces are usually expensive for what it sounds like you are looking for. To record a band you could get a a one channel interface and put a large diaphragm condenser mic in the middle room and see how that sounds, and it could be fine. Or you could go all out and but two eight channel interfaces and sixteen mics to capture every essence of you band!

I would start by asking yourself what do I want to record before even looking at interfaces. If it's just you playing guitar and singing, then a two channel would be fine: guitar and vocals. But if you want to record a band than an eight channel may be what you want:

1. Guitar
2. Guitar two?
3. Bass
4. Vocals
5. Kick
6. Snare
7. Overhead one
8. Overhead two

Also depending on how many mics, stands, and cables you have an interface could be an unwise investment if you have to spend another grand on mics, stand, and cables after the interface to actually make use of the interface it's self.

I have heard great things about the Motu interfaces (I think Behndy has one). They are built very well and, to me, have no real sound at all. They just do what an interface should do: take a mic level signal and boost it up to line level and then convert it into a digital signal to be processed by the computer. With recording equipment you really do get what you pay for, considering how much that stuff costs. Like I said earlier though, teh interface and software are second to good mics, amps, and instruments. A 5watt practice amp could sound amazing through a Royer into a Hardy M-1 pre-amp into Pro-tools 10HD and a Twin reverb could sound awefull through a radioshack mic into a behrigner mic pre into garageband.

I know I didn't really answer your question but I told you what I think about interfaces in general and I hope it helps.


Also, as a note. I am going to school for Audio Engineering starting in October, recording and live sound is my thing.

thanks for the information. any recording would be done track by track and layered so i'm thinking one input is sufficient.

Note: Mbox/Mboxes are a specific type of audio interface made by presonus. Do you want an Mbox specifically or just an audio interface in general, because there are no cheap Mboxs.

I think you should get this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/lexicon-alpha-usb-desktop-recording-studio

A two channel interface with software for $60, I don't think there is a better deal, and it's lexicon.