Budget interface and monitor setup advice required

[danbanbass]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking at buying an interface and a set of studio monitors so I can demo stuff out in my downtime as there will be no gigs or band rehearsal during this lockdown.

I’ll be looking at recording guitars, bass and programming drums.


Any recommendations would be great including software, plugins etc.

Computer wise I shall be using a Mac, will find out what operating system it is using to if that helps?

My budget is a max £250 all in.

Previous to this I used to Use an Alesis IO2 interface and Alesis M520 speakers with Cubase LE years ago that I no longer have.

Thanks

[skidder652003]

behringer interface £55

https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/external-audio-interface/behringer-u-phoria-umc202hd-audio-interface?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8avh2p246AIViaztCh0ougMAEAQYAyABEgKROPD_BwE

studio spares SN5A monitors £89 each (These have amazing reviews and punch well above their price)

https://www.studiospares.com/Headphones-and-Speakers/Studio-Monitors/Studiospares-SN5A-Active-Studio-Monitor_248060.htm

Got a Mac? Use Garageband, it's free. it's ace, download older version.

Total spend £233

Did loads of research for this very thing

EDIT monitors now not in stock until May (at least), invest in some decent headphones, easier to post, these for instance (great reviews) £59, good to have both monitors and headphones to swap between anyway

https://www.studiospares.com/Headphones-and-Speakers/Headphones-Studio/Studiospares-M2000-MK2-Studio-Headphones_448780.htm 

Edited March 26, 2020 by skidder652003

[NickD]

Obviously this is the bit where everyone suggests the route they went down.

So here goes...😂

I bought a Steinberg UR22, which came bundled with Cubase AI. Eventually I upgraded to Cubase Elements because they kept sending me offers, but recording electronic drums (from a Roland kit and from the bundled sample kits), bass and guitars mostly, I probably didn't need to.

I went this way because I used to use Cubase on an old Atari ST in the old days, and found it really easy to use.

Given I'm only demoing, I use headphones. I find them better for detail as monitors usually need turning up a bit before becoming as detailed as I would like (except for really posh ones), and I record a lot in the evenings and quite like my neighbours.

Another thing I find really useful is my cheap midi controller keyboard.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/14922210166529891434?q=midi+controller+keyboard&prds=epd:8252396933300905010,local:1,prmr:2&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiy8YCRo7joAhVkzoUKHcmrDuwQ2SsIDA#online

The keyboard came bundled with Presonus Studio One... which I tried and hated! But USB into my laptop, I find it really useful for playing the Cubase drumkits into the DAW. Plus I could use it for any of the other bundled VSTs should I ever fancy it.

I'm pretty certain most interfaces come with a bundled DAW, and they're probably all good though.