computer recording just seems so confusing to me. still.

[trim]

someone please make it sound simple

things that are confusing me:

1. hardware needed. like..what do you use to connect mics, guitars etc to a computer? i see no XLR jacks on the back of this laptop :/

2. software. just all of it = confusing. i wouldn't know where to start. cubase, reason, cakewalk, cool edit, ntrack. blah. which one??? cubase is like 500 bucks isn't it? i so don't have the $$ for that. but isn't it "the best" or something? i would want something that does everything i guess. record, edit, compress, master, mixdown, effects. right??

3. computer dynamics; particularly the type of soundcard needed to make "good" sounding music. or mp3s or whatever. also speed (bus, ram) and processor. what is the minimum that would be necessary? does it depend on the software?


i'm this close to getting a yamaha AW16G, fostex vf160 or korg D1200 instead of going the computer recording route.

but i don't wanna feel like an ass later on down the line for having blown 1000 bucks that i don't really have on, allbeit on a good digital standalone, instead of taking the time to research computer recording which seems to be the way most people go on here. it's very popular. if you had to pick 3 reasons why it is so popular, what would you say?

thanks for any help. i totally need it right now. i wanna get to recording!

[future man]

Whether you go the computer route, or not, it all boils down to preference, I think. I honestly believe in getting yourself protools for home recording cause its "industry standard" and its not terribly expensive to get into.

You're going to need an audio interface, for hardware. Get a digidesign Mbox, and it will solve your software, and hardware problems because it somes with PROtools, for mac osx, and win XP!! Its a dream to work with, and it takes very, very little reading up, to get started.

The Mbox has focusrite micpre's, which are awesome, and phantom power, including two channel recording, and XLR inputs to go along with it.

Get yourself a condenser mic, and you should be ready to record. It is more simple than it seems.

Learn more at digidesign.com

[tdukex]

These are what I feel are the best bang for the buck in the lower price range.

Soundcard = M-Audio Audiophile ($149). http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/52393

Or, if you can afford a few more bucks, the Delta 44 ($229). http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/52398

Both of these cards are very highly regarded for the price.

Mic pre = M-Audio DMP3 ($149 - $199). I paid $119 at guitar Center. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/59730

A very clean yet warm 2-channel mic pre/DI. I love mine. Again, very highly regarded by many on this BBS.

Software = Cakewalk Home Studio ($89) http://www.zzounds.com/prodsearch?fo...rch&q=cakewalk

I like Cakewalk products. You get a lot for the money.

Plug your microphone or guitar (or both) into the DMP3.

Plug the DMP3 into the Audiophile.

Record using Cakewalk software.

It's that easy.

Buy (or make) good cables.


Use the search function and do search on the products suggested so far and see what others have to say about them and other similar products. There's no need to rush.

[TimOBrien]

There are cheaper and easier hobbies...

You have to do a bit of learning, research and experimentation to learn how to fly a plane, scuba dive, golf, etc. And those hobbies can all cost TONS more than a home recording studio....

NO ONE is an "instant hit-generating expert". Get to the book store and start reading.

[regebro]

Originally posted by trim
someone please make it sound simple

Sure: Buy a porta. Done! No need to EVER worry about computer recording anymore!

[EddieRay]

Until a couple months ago I was never in a position to bridge the gap between my 25+ years in computers (IT career) and my even longer association with music (playing in school orchestra, rock bands, home recording to 4-track reel and cassette).

Until recently I didn't have a PC powerful or stable enough for recording and mixing, nor did I have an understanding of the expectations of soundcards and audio software. Your learning curve will be shortened by hanging around here.

I have been bridging the gap little by little, setting and achieving little goals. Starting with a hand-me-down copy of Cakewalk, a commodity soundcard on the motherboard, Windows Media Player (to burn CDs), and a little Behringer mixer I got a couple years ago to supply phantom power to a condensor mic, I've been able to:

- transfer mono cassette recordings of compositions I made 20 years ago to my computer and create music CDs.
- transfer 4 track cassette recordings of my band, mix them, and create music CDs.
- record guitar and bass and midi drums.

I've upgraded many audio aspects of my home PC since then. But to get started you would only need some decent audio software and a decent mixer.

Your soundcard should have 2 inputs: mic and line in. Use line in as it is a stereo input. You should never need the mic input. Double-click the Volume icon (I assume you're using Windows), select Options, Properties, Recording, and make sure line-in is selected. The Line-in slider sets the input level.

Behringer offers a small mixer with 2 XLR or 1/4" phono jack inputs for under $70 (UB802 model). Plug your mic into it, then run cables from the Main out (1/4" phono) or Tape out (RCA) into your soundcard's line-in (1/8" stereo phono). Go to radioshack for the correct cables.

The route I've taken is to acquire the minimum I need to be able to record, mix, and burn music CDs. Then enhance and upgrade as time and budget allows. That way the learning and productivity can continue unabated while you keep an eye out for sweet upgrade deals.

[Roodboy]

I hope you don't mind my butting in with a stupid question, but; What color is the line in input jack? I have been trying to get this input to work with w/ guitarport & n-track to no avail. Thanks

[SPINSTERWUN]

Originally posted by Roodboy
......What color is the line in input jack? ....

If you look closely, you'll see two circles with an arrow pointing inward.