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Recording at home HELP!
| Message Board > General Chitchat > Recording at home HELP! |
| blue User Info... | I'd love to learn as much as possible from you folks about recording at home on my pc computer. If you can answer any of the following questions that would kick, thanks in advance: (1) What software can I download right now for free as a trial version or what have you - and where on the net (link) quality not an issue but just something I can play with. (2) I have a Compaq laptop and wondering what you use to hook up a mic. Do you use a regular mic and attach it to something? Or is there a specific mic you need to buy to hook into the computer? As you can see I'm a total rookie with this and have no clue. (3) What software do you recommend buying for long term? Just to give you a bit of backgrounder info, I'm only interested in recording vocals (multiple tracks) and that's it at this point - no guitar or other instruments. I just want to put some of my ideas down on the computer as I often come up with killer stuff and if I can't record it then and there I lose it. I'd also like to put my trials into mp3 form to upload to my blog. Thanks. I really appreciate any help. - Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:09pm Edited: Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:10pm | ||
| Matteus User Info... | you have to buy an interface for your computer. if you're going to use a mic, its going to need a pre-amp on it. firewire or usb interface is what's out there, I like firewire. freebee software would be goldwave. long term software is open, depends on taste. I use cubase sx3 with no problems. edirol has some cool little interfaces, check out their website. as far as a vocal mic, if youre just playing right now, just go get an apex mic from L&M for about 20 bucks. hope that helps. M - Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:38pm | ||
| blue User Info... | Thanks for your input Matteus! I have usb capacity, and already have a couple mics including a Shure Beta58... now I also have the Digitech Vocal 300 so I'm wondering if I could plug my mic into that and feed *it* into my computer. I suppose no matter what I'll have to get some sort of connector. Where would I buy such a thing and what would it be called? It would be awesome if I could get something at a Radio Shack or something as opposed to going into L&M. I'll check out goldwave - thanks :) Keep the info coming people. I'm sure there will be many different views on how I can get my little home system set up and what works best for what I'm doing. - Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:52pm Edited: Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:54pm | ||
| KnifeGhost User Info... | The #1 thing I would recommend is getting somebody who really knows what they're doing have a look at your current gear. Hands-on. Then have them grill you about what you want to be able to do, and all that. Getting advice ont he internet can be helpful, but it's no substitute for in-person advice from somebody who knows their shit. - Wed, 30 Aug 2006 9:37am | ||
| mica User Info... | If what you're wanting to do is record ideas as they pop into your head you may want to look into something like this: http://www.m-audio.ca/products/en_ca/MicroTrack2496-main.html It is portable and has a decent built in mic. Two channels. Phantom power - in case you ever want to use a condenser microphone. USB drag and drop functionality. And best of all, it will fit in your shirt pocket. You can get one on eBay for about 300 bucks. If you decide to get an interface for your laptop you could go with something like this: http://www.m-audio.ca/products/en_ca/FastTrackUSB-main.html It is a little cheaper and it has an xlr input that would work fine for your 58 (it doesn't appear to have phantom power though. I highlighted maudio stuff because it has worked well for me in the past. There are other companies such as edirol and presonus. Harmony Central http://www.harmonycentral.com is a great resource for user reviews. I almost always buy from eBay. I know I'm not supporting local business, but if I know I'm going to save twenty-five percent its hard to justify not going that route. Good luck - Wed, 30 Aug 2006 9:45am | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Did someone mention something about home recording?!? So, let's answer some questions, shall we? (1) What software can I download right now for free as a trial version or what have you - and where on the net (link) quality not an issue but just something I can play with. Goldwave I do believe (http://www.goldwave.com ). Me? I'm a WaveLab user, but that's a commercial piece of software, so find a Torrent search engine. (2) I have a Compaq laptop and wondering what you use to hook up a mic. Do you use a regular mic and attach it to something? Or is there a specific mic you need to buy to hook into the computer? As you can see I'm a total rookie with this and have no clue. Your sound card (it has a sound card, right?!?) should have a line in (my soundblaster has 2 Line In's and 2 Line Out's and it's a generic black sound blaster), remember to hook your line out on your amp to the line-in on your sound card, that way you can record any live sound. I have the video line out going to the line in on my soundcard, but you can use any line out, beats me why I did that. (3) What software do you recommend buying for long term? WaveLab (http://www.steinberg.net/128_1.html ), aCk... version 6 is out, I run version 5, I need to upgrade :( Any more questions?!? - Wed, 30 Aug 2006 11:35am Edited: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 6:21pm | ||
| Microphonic User Info... | hey blue - if you want to keep it simple, you might consider something like a USB mic. No audio interface to f* with, no preamp required, no fuss. just plug the mic into a USB port and off you go. Check out the C01U at http://www.tomleemusic.ca/main/recording.cfm?details=1&id=163&inv=105312 - It's a good enough quality mic for recording, for about $120. As for software, Tracktion has an excellent rep as being easy and intuitive to use, but powerful enough for future needs. You can download a demo from http://www.mackie.com/tracktion and it's only $80 to buy. Since GoldWave is $45 to buy, I'd say Tracktion is a waaaay better deal, since Goldwave is not a multi-track recording application, but rather more of a sound editor. Hope this helps. D - Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:23pm | ||
| lonemonk User Info... | I like Microphonics' suggestions best so far. They cover the requirements most closely and with elegant simplicity which is key! I've heard wonderful things about traktion, so I wont contradict that at all. The price is certainly right! I too would stay away from programs which are dedicated to 2-track audio. Not because they are bad, but they reduce the flexibility you specified originally. That said, eventually when you go to mix-down stuff, you can focus on 2-track software then. I'm sure traktion will tackle that as well. You mentioned you already have an SM58, which is fine for your purposes. The Digitech thing has both XLR and TRS output. You can get cables to convert that shit to computer input from Long and McQuade. Bring the unit with you to get the right cable. Talk to one of the recording people there. Turns out all you need is some capable multi-track software. - Thu, 31 Aug 2006 9:43pm Edited: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 9:49pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Yikes, I must of misunderstood. If your doing band recording, I suggest you look into CuBase (VST), that's what the Rats Nest uses. I don't know of any shareware that does similar, though I think GoldWave might. - Fri, 1 Sep 2006 12:56am | ||
| Microphonic User Info... | Griph: I checked out the goldwave site, it's strictly 2-track. And kinda cheesy-lookin' at that - Goldwave users please don't flame me. I have heard of a shareware multitrack app called n-track, but again, it looks like it lacks the elegance of tracktion. I can testify firsthand that cubase is a pretty ridiculous piece of software for someone just starting out. And it costs 500 bucks. And to follow up with Lonemonk's comment - 58s are great for live use, but they don't really deliver a great recorded sound without a little extra work. This is the most cost-effective idea, though, since it sounds like all blue would need is a 1/4" TS -> 3.5MM TS cable or adapter plus software. Cheers Dirk - Fri, 1 Sep 2006 1:06pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | CuBase might be rediculously priced, but what's better, CuBase (VST) or ProTools?!? - Fri, 1 Sep 2006 3:26pm | ||
| lonemonk User Info... | I bought n-Track years ago, and even then it was prefectly fine for entry-level stuff. I looked breifly at it again, and I think now that it supports vst instruments and plug-ins it might be even more useable. CuBase and Protools have always struck me as being expensive and not particular easy to learn. I;ve always had better luck with Cooledit, now called Adobe Audition 2. Its probably gone up in price since adobe bought it, but you wont have to sell the farm. No matter what you select use a Warez copy until such time as you find a program you like. Cakewalk Sonar products are good too because they give you a bunch of virtual instruments and riddim-creation thjngs to go along with your vocals. I'd be shocked if blue had reached the level of quality where an (un-EQd even) SM58 is going to be the limiting factor... - Tue, 5 Sep 2006 11:43am Edited: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 11:47am | ||
| The Box Drone User Info... | "Just to give you a bit of backgrounder info, I'm only interested in recording vocals (multiple tracks) and that's it at this point - no guitar or other instruments. I just want to put some of my ideas down on the computer as I often come up with killer stuff and if I can't record it then and there I lose it. I'd also like to put my trials into mp3 form to upload to my blog." Considering this paragraph, I would reccomend a $5-$15 computer mic from any place that sells computers. If you really just want to get down your ideas, that's all you need. Anything else is overkill unless you really have more in mind. I've done some great recordings with nothing but a $5 computer mic... and while I've moved past that, I still think those old tracks sound great. - Tue, 5 Sep 2006 12:27pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Yes, cheap equipment is actually better then $200+ Mic's, I know Garry at the Rats Nest picked up some $50 mic's, and he said they were better then something 4x more expensive. I dunno if I can recommend a cheap computer microphone, but it's too bad you don't have access to a mixer which controls all your audio equipment and which is connected to the computer. This way, you could use cheap and professional mic's. - Tue, 5 Sep 2006 12:38pm | ||
| Dr. Fuse User Info... | Try n-track, from Fasoft. It's a comprehensive program, and cheap (about $50) but not all that user-friendly. I use a mixing board instead of a dedicated (rip-off) computer gizmo for the preamps, which are mandatory if you want decent recordings. A used 8 track Peavey will probably run you just under $200, but you can use it for live performances too, unlike 'computer-only' crap. HOpe that helps - Tue, 26 Sep 2006 7:16pm | ||
| Matteus User Info... | computer only crap? I was totally anti-computer recording until I started really trying it. it is just as easy as analog recording, if not easier and gives you about 1000 more options with VST plus ins and what not but everyone is right. if you want a BASIC recording, use BASIC stuff. - Wed, 27 Sep 2006 3:40am | ||
| lonemonk User Info... | Well, there is something a little odd about a USB audio interface (for instance) which has no value whatsoever without a computer. I wish the industry would make more things which could also function stand-alone, as well as attached to a computer. Alesis supposedly makes a decent mixing surface which is an analog/digital mixer hybrid. Attach USB/Firewire and you have a computer controlled surface, or unplug and you have a standard mixer. Thats the kind of shit I'm talking about. I wish Tascam would make an affordable version of the same, without getting into all their high-end digital mixers... BTW: Blue where-ever you are.. What did you end up doing? I just got an email that N-Track has a new version just out. Download the eval and give it a try: http://www.ntrack.com . - Wed, 27 Sep 2006 9:23am Edited: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 9:25am | ||
| Matteus User Info... | i could see where you're coming from on that. It would be nice, but something tells me it'd be pricey. I just saw a RANE DJ MIXER that had something like that. It was freakin sweet. USB interface, but analog control. Then you could lay down "master vinyl" (two of them) then using a "digital" needle, you could scratch and play mp3's from your comp. makes vinyl obsulete alesis makes some sound board that is supposed to be some hybrid for about 1000. - Wed, 27 Sep 2006 7:54pm | ||
| lonemonk User Info... | Matteus, make no mistake about it, I do own much gear which is utterly useless without a host computer. Also, even though my day job is to monitor and make large computer networks behave, I actually have pretty damn good luck with my home computer/music gear. (Better than my cynical mind would ordinarily estimate) However......... Manufacturers these days seem to think a product *has* to be complicated and/or only connect to a computer to be worth money. Turns out simpler is always better; and when designed properly simpler is usually cheaper. USB/Firewire connectivity does not have to be expensive; Many sub $20 products include usb connectivity. Computers are here to stay, of that there is no doubt, but I personally am getting tired of *everything* requiring a computer system to go with. I also own a Printing Press made between 1895-1904 so perhaps I am just being too expressive in my distrust for the 'Modern'.... I will admit, it's pretty odd for one too regress to a period much prior to my own existence... . . - Wed, 27 Sep 2006 9:34pm Edited: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 9:37pm | ||
| Matteus User Info... | yeah, I agree. it'd be nice to see more hybrid products. but my experience with sub $20 USB products has been TERRIBLE. but i do get your idea. the edirol units are preety sweet for 2 pre's. but for 300ish I just went to 8 pre's with the presonus firepod. check out the results at: http://www.meetyouattheendoftime.com/bandvids.html - Wed, 27 Sep 2006 9:51pm | ||
| lonemonk User Info... | I like your stuff. Especially the Blank Slate you did recently. Pauls an old friend of mine and it was good to see. Ya cheap USB stuff is well; Cheap, But it was just an example. I have a really nice Edirol R-4. It's a good example of the principal I was on about. Even though a computer makes using the R-4 easier (for editing and the like), it also operates completely independently. AND edirol was smart and made it capable of: 4 track (24/96) Hard disk recording only Compact Flash recording only Battery and/or AC operation Analog and digital ins and outs Anyway, just an example of the better of both worlds. - Wed, 27 Sep 2006 10:03pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Cheap can work, though. What about Machine Gun Kelly's recording they did in their basement (Fantasize About Nihilism)?!? Good stuff! - Thu, 28 Sep 2006 10:19am | ||
| Steve User Info... | I've been using Pro Tools with the Mbox-(about 500 bucks at Long and McQuade) on a lap top computer. The Mbox is a great hardware interface with the Pro Tools package which includes Reason and a bunch of amazing plug-ins. You have to do some basic upgrades to the computer so that it will run this software properly like adding lots of RAM and partitioning your hardrive for audio files etc. but still pretty inexpensive providing you own a pretty good computer. I also spent about 150 bucks on a good Apex mic. It's a very addictive home recording option but you have to be a bit of a geek and put the time in to learn it. Once you have mastered it, you have a very powerful tool for creating demos or even CD quality stuff in yer own home. Here is a link to the GOO MySpace site where you can hear some of the recordings I made in my basement with Pro Tools. I'm still learning the whole recording thing (it never ends, I guess) but I'm pretty thrilled with my 500 dollar investment. http://www.myspace.com/gootoons - Thu, 28 Sep 2006 5:26pm | ||
| Matteus User Info... | that is a nice set up dude. I was looking at something like that cause its ll you really need to do a home recording at a great quality, except drums. I dont even have mics and Im at 1600 bucks in home/mobile recording!! - Thu, 28 Sep 2006 11:25pm | ||
| Microphonic User Info... | holy crap! way off topic! blue, are you still even keeping up with this? any updates? -dv - Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:11am | ||
| James User Info... | My two cents if your still looking into this is get your self a edirol powers through the usb port its what i use to do alot of recording you can multi track with the sonar software thats provided and its really simple to use you just have to hook your mic/ instrument through the front the thing I like about it is you can use multiple different jacks through the line ins without changeing anything its setup to accpet different jack styles mic /insturment and the sonar softwar that comes with it is easy to use I have the ua25 usb version http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-UA25-USB-Bus-Powered-Stereo-Audio-Interface?sku=705371&src=3WBZ4DS - Fri, 29 Sep 2006 7:50am | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Although I've never used Pro-Tools (sorry, I don't record bands so I have no use for the additional tracks, most tracks I play with is 2). Is it worth learning by yourself, rather then paying some moron to learn from?!? Also, is it better to translate a demo from tape to ProTools, so you can edit/clean it up and export to WAV?!? - Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:15pm | ||
| blue User Info... | Hey. Thanks everyone for your posts (I'm sorry I haven't posted an update or any responses - bad me - I appreciate all of your input) I've been swamped lately with my company but i pretty much got as far as ordering the usb mic from Tom Lee Music as recommended by Microphonic - which is SO cool to be able to just plug right in and go at it. I've only had time to download a trial version of goldwave which is at least useful enough to lay down my ideas. Man I sure appreciate what the boys do at the studio more than ever. When I recorded at a pro studio I could not believe how good I had it compared to plugging a mic into a computer LOL. At the studio it was so hooked up I could literally hear my hand move on my leg (in the headphones) which sure opens things up to be able to get creative vocally. Anyway I at least have the ability to lay down ideas and now I'm completely interested in learning what all the plugins can do. I've played a bit but it's a long road ahead of me if I ever want to record something that sounds decent. - Fri, 29 Sep 2006 10:15pm | ||
| James User Info... | good luck to you then blue hope everything goes well with the new mic and hopefully your learning curve is shorter then mine heh anyways glad you found what you wanted - Fri, 29 Sep 2006 10:59pm | ||
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