Where do I start?

[MrThane]

Me and a friend are looking to record some rapping and singing with our laptops and have no idea where to start. I already have some nice speakers and a PC laptop. Where do I go from here? I've got about $400 to spend and would also like to build a DIY RealTraps.

[Scharpf]

Hey, welcome

I think now would be nice for you to look for a audio interface with some decent pre amps, nothing fancy but nothing too cheap, you have all kinds and price ranges, some companies you could check out, focusrite, motu, apogee, edirol, rme(little bit more), and many more, then you should get a mic, to sing...i think you could check this other threat Male Hip-Hop Vocal Mic, and a controller, MIDI controller with keyboard and some pads will be nice, have a look at Novation keyboards and midi controllers,

peace

Edit: Forgot, you need something to record and create your beats, like a DAW, Digital audio workstation , here i use logic and pro tools, but have many others Cubase, Ableton, Reason, Fruity Loops, Reaper[cheapest one, and very good] and many others, i heard that reason its good for hip hop, but don't know.

[MrThane]

NI Maschine for beats (not included in price)

Then either...

Presonus Audio Box Studio ($250)
Mic stand + pop filter ($60)
Total = $310

Or...

ART V63M ART Tube MP Studio Package ($150)
KRK Rokit 5 ($150)
Total = $300

[Scharpf]

hmm, lol hard choice i never tried the presonus or the art, i have here a art vla 2 comp, and for the price have been really great...i thought you already had the speakers, but if you need some monitors i would go for the art plus krk,, Its a good combo, i just cant speak about the quality on the art package, but i think it will be a good start, and yeah the maschine its a great controller


Edit: I was checking the art combo, you still need the audio interface. It look nice, its a tube amplifier with phantom and phase reverse and a vu meter e but still, you need the audio interface.

[pfapin05]

yep