very basic recording setup?

[hantaman]

I have been scouring the internet for information I think I recieved too much .Went to library got digital recording for idiots but that goes into much more information than I need I am looking to record a voice though soundcard into computer than mix it onto a karaoke track I have a shure 57 microphone ,computer is 5 years old do I need a preamp? Do i need a compressor, I am looking for a decent sound doesnt have to be top notch everything I read seems to be more about recording a whole band.Any help would be appreciated

[Massive Master]

You'd need some sort of basic preamp or mixer - If sound quality isn't a big concern, any of those Behringer ham-sandwich sized mixers will work for you.

[jdier]

Take a look at the Line 6 Toneport stuff. I think a Toneport UX1 would be perfect for you.

It is a preamp and interface built into one little unit for about $100.

Should do everything you want and more.

[Nick98338]

Microphone - [Preamp - Interface] - [Computer - Software] That's the simple answer.

You have the mic., and I hope, an xlr cable.

Preamp and interface most often is in the same box. Same box has all of the input/output jacks. Doesn't have to be a "mixer", but could be. Same box takes the place of your computer sound card. If you only need one, or two input channels, maybe a USB interface will do. If you need more than two channels, simultaneously, look at Firewire.

Older computers will work. Probably will work better with older software. Older software worked just fine. We were all making recording, just fine, 5 years ago.

The compressor is in the software. So are dozens of other effects and processors. Try the software compressor first. The, if needed look at hardware boxes.

[TimOBrien]

The Guide:

http://tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Also spend $15 and get:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

[tangerine]

Go onto ebay and buy yourself an old tascam 244 and learn to record using one of these type of decks. I taught a kid at the school I work at how to record on one of these in November. He used it to record his band at rehearsals they had at the weekend and on monday mornings he'd come in and ask me questions on how to bounce two tracks onto one and how much to push the amplitude to illiminate hiss and attain that warm tape compressed sound ect ect. At christmas his mum and dad bought him a digital recorder. He is using that now but he admits that the tascam was a great starting point to learn.

[tojo]

you don't need to buy an interface. you can get an xlr cable that goes to the 1/8th inch input on your computer mic/line input and record. quality won't be great because your computer is acting like a pre-amp...

[MikeTheSurfer]

You can even go to Best Buy and get an MAudio usb interface to record. Your Shure 57 should be fine for voicing over Karaoke.

[Ripthorn]

Another cheap option is an ART tube preamp. About 30 bucks and you got yourself a tube in your signal chain (but as it is commonly said, a good solid state circuit is better than a bad tube one). The ART should work fine and not set you back much at all.

[Massive Master]

Originally Posted by Ripthorn

About 30 bucks and you got yourself a tube in your signal chain

That sounds like an amazingly bad idea...

[Ripthorn]

I am just saying it would be something that would allow him to connect a mic to his computer. Better than running the mic directly into his sound card. I never said it was the best idea, thus my comment about a bad tube circuit being worse than a decent solid state one. If his computer sound card is like the stock one that came on my machine, the ART is a step up, though maybe not the largest one (I was focusing more on the cost rather than the absolute quality).