What is the cheapest way to record in your opinion

[Neadadvice]

Hi im new to the site and already made a post, but I think I made it too long so I didn't get any responses. Anyway ill try to make it short this time in hopes someone out will lend me their knowledge. In general im looking for the cheapest way to record. First of what is the cheapest if not free software. Second what is it feasible to record all the instruments and vocals individuvally using just a cheap mic hooked to up to the computer using usb to xlr or is it even feasible to just use the computer mic. Third is it best to record in an open or closed setting. Finally what is cheapest to free drum software that sounds next to autentic. Sorry again im asking alot, but I just really need to get the basics down because I can't afford trail and error. Thank you and I promise when I gain knowledge I will become a contributor to this site.

[gcapel]

Originally Posted by Neadadvice

Hi im new to the site and already made a post, but I think I made it too long so I didn't get any responses. Anyway ill try to make it short this time in hopes someone out will lend me their knowledge. In general im looking for the cheapest way to record. First of what is the cheapest if not free software. Second what is it feasible to record all the instruments and vocals individuvally using just a cheap mic hooked to up to the computer using usb to xlr or is it even feasible to just use the computer mic. Third is it best to record in an open or closed setting. Finally what is cheapest to free drum software that sounds next to autentic. Sorry again im asking alot, but I just really need to get the basics down because I can't afford trail and error. Thank you and I promise when I gain knowledge I will become a contributor to this site.

What type of music and what instruments will you be using?

Do you want a end result that sounds remotely decent?

What type of budget do you have?

Sorry to answer a question with a question but its nessesary.

Free drum software will be very limited. I would suddgest a full version of reason, but its the only software I have used for this.

[dodgeaspen]

Depends on what your recording. I hate to say this, but I guess computer recording would be cheaper.

[Neadadvice]

I am recording a demo with my band. It is extreme metal. My budget is next to nothing as I got laid off and in the process of finding a new job. I could proably spare 100 max. The instruments recorded are guitar, bass and vocals. The quality does not have to be great for the demo. I was trying out audacity, but I have had problems with it as the volume tends to swell in the beginning of the song and when I hit the high notes. I don't know if it is the positioning or volume of my amp or the if I am in too secluded or open of an area. I hope I am missing any out any details. Thank you again for your interest in my problem.

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047...SIN=0470385421
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Guit...5734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/..._beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-...echniques.html

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and tested suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards...ome_studio.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

[Todzilla]

http://www.bodhgayanews.net/recordin...ic_rq_tape.jpg

[gcapel]

Originally Posted by Neadadvice

I am recording a demo with my band. It is extreme metal. My budget is next to nothing as I got laid off and in the process of finding a new job. I could proably spare 100 max. The instruments recorded are guitar, bass and vocals. The quality does not have to be great for the demo. I was trying out audacity, but I have had problems with it as the volume tends to swell in the beginning of the song and when I hit the high notes. I don't know if it is the positioning or volume of my amp or the if I am in too secluded or open of an area. I hope I am missing any out any details. Thank you again for your interest in my problem.

Ok now we have a better idea. I would suddgest a free software package. A two channel mic pre / interface (with phantom power). I would place a large diaphram condenser (two if you could get them) in the rehersal room. You will have to play around with placement of the mic. Record the your band with no vocal first. Then go back and add your vocal track with the same mic.

I used this method for just getting ideas on tape (techically "on disk"). Quick dirty and for you case cheap.

Interface like this:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Pre?sku=703092

Mic like this:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...one?sku=273103

I would only go this route if it were all you were planning on doing (demo;s, ideas, etc...) To go deeper you will have to shell out more cash buying a interface with more I/O, more mics, more cables, more time.

It maybe more benificial to find a person that is a recording ameture that has the I/O and mics to make a decent demo for $100.00

Another cheap alternative is an old four track tape recorder. You could bounce tracks. This will be time consuming but if you have the time.....
To bounce tracks you would need a four track and a regular cassette tape recorder or cd recorder. But then again you need more mics to make it worth while for the drums. Record the drums with four mics into the four track. Mix it down to the tape recorder. Playback the drum stereo track back into two channels on the four track with the addition of bass guitar and guitar. Mix that down to the tape recorder. Repeat the steps for the vocals.

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by Neadadvice

I am recording a demo with my band. It is extreme metal. My budget is next to nothing as I got laid off and in the process of finding a new job. I could proably spare 100 max.

Deciding now to buy gear to record your band is like buying a company's stock after it's price has maxed out or asking a girl out after giving her news that her puppy died.

If you absolutely HAVE TO record a demo NOW, I recommend spending the hundred bucks for studio time to get a demo single or LP out there.

G.

[Neadadvice]

Thanks for everyones advice so far. Im only in a rush to record this because I will lack the time to dedicate to recording when my next college semester starts. Thanks again.

[undrgrnd studio]

I second the go to a studio option. But if you absolutely have to do it at home, on the cheap this is what I would do.

First off I am assuming a few things:

1. You have a computer

2. You have microphones that you use for your PA already.

3 You have a PA or a mixer.

Now I would get a few things:

1. I would go buy a used USB two channel interface.

2. Download REAPER for trial, it is fully functional. If you like it, pay the $50 when you are ready.

Next I would set up like this:

Set up at least 3 if not 4 mics on the drums. Kick, Snare, two overheads.

Mix the sound in your mixer/PA, then route a stereo mix to your interface, and into REAPER.

Turn down the bass and guitars until they are just barely audible to your drummer. Press record, and record just like that.

NOW, plug the bass directly into the USB interface and overdub the Bass on a new track in reaper.

Next, mic your guitar cab and overdub a guitar track. Do this twice for fuller tone, even better if you use a different amp, guitar, and mic.

Ditto, for second guitarist if you have one.

Last overdub vocals.


This way you get the best separation you can for each instrument and mic, your drums will sound full and they will have a full band groove. Yes you will get some bleed from the amps into the drums, but you don't have multiple inputs to do direct in scratch tracks so you'll have to live with it. And the setup is dirt cheap.

Good luck!

[Bristol Posse]

For a Demo in a hurry practice like crazy get everything as tight and as musically correct as you can and then rent a morning in a local studio and get everything down in as few takes as possible

Buying and learning gear well enough to put out a half decent demo will take a long time and with the money you are looking to spend will probably sound cheap.

[noisewreck]

Noisewreck's guide to cheapest way of recording:

1. Get a boombox that has a built-in mic, preferably second hand, perhaps from a pawnshop.
2. Get a cassette tape.
3. Load the cassette tape in the said boombox.
4. Hit record.

You may need to play with the positioning of the boombox to get an acceptable recording.

[Neadadvice]

Im debating right now if I should purchase a cassette multi-track recorder, try recording without a mixer and mixing using reaper, or saving and buying a mixer. Multi-track recorder seems to be the simplest. Can you guys recommend me any affordable multi-track recorders. Also is it possible to record using mics directly connected to the computer and mixing using reaper, or do I need mixer to get any type of decent sound. Thanks you for all your replies.

[noisewreck]

I would definitely vote against cassette multitrackers, especially since you can find hard-disk based multitrackers for around what... uhm... $300 or so if I am not mistaken. Boss has some budget units that would fit the bill rather nicely. Many of them also come with USB ports that will allow you to export the recorded tracks into a DAW if you so desire.

[gcapel]

Originally Posted by Neadadvice

Can you guys recommend me any affordable multi-track recorders. Also is it possible to record using mics directly connected to the computer and mixing using reaper, or do I need mixer to get any type of decent sound. Thanks you for all your replies.

I have never played with one of the newer digital portable multitrack units. But no matter what route you go there is going to be some leaning envolved.

I personaly would get a small mixer like a mackie 1402 VLz and a two channel computer interface like someone had mentioned before (pre mix before the a/d conversion). You talking 300.00 dollars or more just for that without mics.

If you could afford it I would get something like an MAudio 1010 (used of coarse) with 8 channels of I/O for the interface. You will have so many more options going this route. It would be worth it to save the cash.

[Neadadvice]

Thank you noisewreck for your continued guidance. I really appreciate everyones help. I saw this small 4 track digital recorder called the Tascam DP-004. Its on musiciansfriend for 150 b stock http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ct?sku=250011V. With this thing would it be just as simple as hitting record for each track and seperately recording with the built in mic the vocals, bass, drums and guitar. Then sending it through the usb to a program like reaper and mixing it. Would doing this be adaquate for a demo or is the Tascam DP-004 more of just a toy for songwriters. As always thank you.

[Neadadvice]

Thank you gcapel. I was typing my post when you replied and saw it after I posted. I will definetly keep an eye out for a used M-Audio 1010, the reviews look great.

[The Cancers]

Going back to your original post,
since you are looking for the cheapest way possible, there's not much point in spending extra money on anything if you have the capability to get sound into your computer.
That is, yes, it's feasible that you could record a demo with just your computer mic and reaper.
Will it sound very good? No.
Will reading up on, learning, and practicing the use of reaper (or whatever DAW you go with) help enormously? yes.
The thing is, before you go spending any money, record with what you've got.
Then, if (probably when) you don't like the sound of it, figure out what you don't like, search this site (and the many, many other sites like it) for information about fixing those problems, and then post questions about specific things you can't find answers to.
I know you're in a hurry, but, as was said before, the only way you're gonna get close to quality quickly is to pay someone who knows what they're doing to record you.
If you're the type who's deadset on doing it yourself (and I'm one of those people, so please don't think I'm trying to push you away from recording at home and towards paying someone else to do it), then, you know, do it.
DON'T DON'T DON'T spend money you can't afford until
a) you're sure you have to
and
b) you're sure it will improve your sound.
You are not gonna get the absolute best sound out of the equipment you have the first time you hit the record button.
It's like picking up a guitar for the first time, that happens to be a piece of crap, and thinking "man, I don't like how this sounds, I better go spend more money on a better guitar." The first time you picked up a guitar, it could have been a tricked out custom blah blah blah, it still would have sounded like crap, cause you didn't know how to play.
So, conclusion wise:
1) you are never gonna get professional quality out of the equipment you have.
2) buying new equipment is NOT gonna be the big step towards getting close to professional quality. Learning how it all works is.
3) I have diarrhea of the fingers in the mornings, apparently.

3 is important. 3 lets you know it all might be crap.

[Ding Dong]

So far I think the option of the 2-channel audio interface and reaper is the best idea. Don't get me wrong, cassette four tracks are really great for getting down ideas, preserving analog charm in your sound etc, making a good lo-fi indie rock album... It was my main recording tool for years. But, you have to make sure you get mic cables that will plug into a 1/4 jack (pain in the ass) as well as decent high bias tapes, which are getting harder to find. And then you'll still need to mix it down to the computer using some sort of software.

With a demo for complex or extreme metal, the main focus should be getting the demo to express to the listener how much you f**king shred balls at your instruments and as a band. I would do that on a computer, it will make it much easier to do multiple takes on guitar and capture your best performance. Also, I would record the drums with just two mics straight into the interface. It shouldn't be too hard to borrow up a couple of sm57's. One mic in the kick, and one overhead mic to the right of the drummer, pointing down at the center of the snare. That way you will have a separate kick track that you can mix perfectly once the bass and guitars have been added. Kick drum is essential in my opinion to a good heavy metal sound. You wont get a stereo image, but thats not essential for what your trying to do. You'll get some stereo panning in there when you track the guitars.

I bought my M audio interface for $100, and I would sell it to you for fifty bucks if I didn't need it right now. Thats where I would start at least

[Neadadvice]

Wow the last two post were a big help. I have been doing what the cancers has said and have played around just recording my guitar part using the computer mic and reaper the last couple days. I tried recording in my garage, basement, with amp in the other room wth volume blasted and the amp right next to computer. As the cancers said though the sound was unsasisfactory, even for someone like me who just looking for the bare minimun in sound. The quality was ok, but im guessing the computer mic or computer sound cards can not be used for recording music, because for some reason the volume would swell in short burst and the end product just had too many of these spikes to really get enjoyment from listening to my music.

The next great piece of advice came from ding dong who recommended an m-audio interface. I found this one on zzsounds http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPRE. This seems just easy as the using the tascam dp-004, it appears I just plug this into my computer and record using its mic. I'm assuming I could send each track individually to reaper and then mix. In your guys opinion would using a interface be superior to using a small digital recorder such as the tascam dp-004? They seem to have very simular function. Thank you.

[Jack_Jones]

I agree, find a novice recordist, pay him 5 or 10 dollars an hour and do it with him. Or find a recording student and maybe they'll do it for free for student credit.

Recording is an expensive mistress (even when she is at her cheapest). I like Apple's Garageband for cheap recordings (free with Mac computers and powerful).

I've written a few articles on how to put together inexpensive recordings at GuerillaProducer.com

Hope that helps.

[Neadadvice]

Thanks for the advice and if home recording doesn't work out for me thats what ill end up doing. I am leaning towards getting the tascam dp-004 though and try mixing through reaper. I heard some recordings using it and a video using it and they all sounded really good to me. I also have to continue to study up on recording techniques and layering.

[DrewPeterson7]

Honestly, how important is sound quality at this point?

On a super-low budget, if you already have a mic, cable, and a computer, I'd download Reaper, then buy a couple adaptors - a XLR-1/4" and an 1/4" to 1/8" (or XLR to 1/8" if you can find one). I'd then just plug your (dynamic) mic straight into your computer's sound card.

The cons here are that stock computer sound cards really aren't up to the task of professional recording, so your guitar, bass, and vocal quality is going to get raped by the analog to digital conversion.

The pros, however, are that you'll be out like $10, and even with shitty AD/DA conversion, you can get surprisingly tolerable results. As long as you don't expect to sound like Devin Townsend and are ok with a slightly lo-fi aesthetic, then you'll be fine.

And, even at this threshold, technique matters way more than you'd think. Spend some time dialing in and learning to mic your amp, and even on this super-budget rig, you'll get a reasonably acceptable demo, and furthermore you'll have developed skills that can be scaled up to a better rig one day. Go out, drop five grand on preamps, converters, monitors, and mics, and don't have the basics down, and then all you'll have is a truer reproduction of a shoddily-recorded guitar.

And yes, this is how I started, back in '99 or so in college. Heck, I didn't even have a mic at first, I was just using my laptop's built in mic and putting it on the ground next to my amp, before I "upgraded" to one of those computer mics that kind of looks like a whammy bar, before I "upgraded" to a Radio Shack SM58 knockoff and an adaptor. People couldn't believe how ghetto my rig was, when they heard the finished product, and I learned a TON about mixing and recording in the process.

[DrewPeterson7]

Originally Posted by Neadadvice

Wow the last two post were a big help. I have been doing what the cancers has said and have played around just recording my guitar part using the computer mic and reaper the last couple days. I tried recording in my garage, basement, with amp in the other room wth volume blasted and the amp right next to computer. As the cancers said though the sound was unsasisfactory, even for someone like me who just looking for the bare minimun in sound. The quality was ok, but im guessing the computer mic or computer sound cards can not be used for recording music, because for some reason the volume would swell in short burst and the end product just had too many of these spikes to really get enjoyment from listening to my music.

Without hearing it I can't be absolutely sure, but I suspect the problem isn't "computer mics and sound cards aren't good enough to be used for music" (even though this is true, strictly speaking), but rather that you were blasting the amp, and probably overdriving the living shit out of the microphone, sound card, or both. Did it seem to "swell" depending on whether you were playing high notes or low notes? Was it way fizzier recorded than it sounded in the room? Dimes to dollars, the final product blew because you were distorting something in the signal chain.

This isn't exactly extreme metal, but this is something I recorded probably back in '00 or so, using Sonic Foundry Acid 2.0, a Mesa Rocket-44 combo, my laptop's sound card, and that aforementioned "whammy bar" mic, with the amp volume and input volume set low enough that it wasn't clipping. Drum loop and bass loop, but everything else (clean guitars, processed-to-hell-and-back guitar harmony "synth pads", and lead) was all recorded at very low volume in this manner.

http://www.drewpeterson.org/Zen%20Dr...20Dreaming.mp3

Again, bigger picture, this isn't a recording to brag about, but it's surprisingly not-painful considering what it was recorded with, and everything I learned about amp micing and recording and mixing working on a shoestring budget was just as valuable when I graduated to a "real" setup a couple years later, after I was out of college and didn't have to choose between, say, a Firepod and an entire year's worth of beer.

[The Cancers]

Mr. Peterson just said everything I meant to say, but with more skill with the whole language thing-bob. Um, Drew, you might be my long lost hetero soulmate.