Help - I'm new to recording!

  • Thread starter Thread starter chaazums
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chaazums

New member
Okay - Here's the deal.

I'm currently in the process of forming a band. Themes: Funk, Classic Rock, Blues. Kinda like Steppenwolf, Aerosmith, etc.

I need tips on recording my bass and electric guitar from my crappy laptop mic. I need recommendations for FREE software. I need something else than Windows Movie Maker :mad:.

Check out my sig for my rig.

I'm on a tight budget (i.e. about 50, 75 cents atm). I DON'T NEED A JOB, I'm still attending school.

Thanks,
Chaazums
 
Although I have not owned it myself, there are alot of people on this forum that recommend Reason, which is free to try and then when you scrape some cash together it's like $50 bucks for the liscense, but you can use it as long as you want until you have the $50.
Good luck and hope you stick around HR
James
 
Thanks

Thanks, I'll try that.


Anyone else have tips??? :confused:
 
Reason?

I think you meant http://www.reaper.fm

excellent program for multitracking.

Reason is a swedish program aimed at dance/trance/idm/electronic music makers.

If you want cheap mics, naiant mics aren't expensive, but they're pretty nifty.

from then on it's anybody's guess as to what you want to spend.

If you're doing it cheaply, get reaper and a seperate mic. Heck, a labtec am-242 isn't that bad, comparatively.
 
If you are mainly looking to record guitar and bass-you should check out the Line6 Gearbox Gold bundle. It's $100 but it will give you an incredible amount of effects and guitar and bass amp simulations. A better soundcard that what's in the laptop would be another good start for much better recordings as well.
And check out the Tweakheadz site-it's always a great site for those new to recording.............http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
 
Don't bother with the computer's mic. There's no way to get past crappy. But with an inexpensive DI box (or a direct output from your amp) you can record the signal directly and that's what I'd do. For mics, when the time comes scour pawn shops and classifieds for used stuff. You should be able to get something workable for about $30. Not good, but workable. The discount retailers also have discount (ten dollar) mics sometimes. They're lousy, but not as lousy as a computer mic. Best bet is to borrow when youhave the need.

For software, I'll ditto recommendations for Reaper. You are not going to find anything better for under several hundred dollars, and this stuff is priced like shareware. Plus they keep updating it every time I turn around, without cost. Google reaper software and you'll find it.
 
Also for software, give Kristal Audio Engine a try. And yes I believe he meant Reaper, which is pretty damn cool. Free to try, $40 to register. At least it doesn't cripple itself at any point if you let the trial period expire. You're on the honor system.

Ditch the PC mic and run your guitar direct into your sound card. Using software amp and cabinet sims (even free ones) will yield a superior sound quality to trying to record into a PC mic. But the one piece of gear that you'll need is something to take your guitar or bass and amplify it to line level. If your guitar or bass amp has a direct out or emulated speaker out (NOT an amplified speaker out!), then run that into the line input of your sound card. Otherwise you're gonna have to drop a little cash for a preamp. No two ways about it. ART makes a decent one for the money called the Tube MP Studio ($30 at Musician's Friend). Behringer might make a cheapie as well, or maybe Nady.

Then search kvraudio.com for some free amp sims, effects, compressors, etc. to use as VST plugins in your multitrack software. That should get you a ways, all for free.

But the guys above are right. Recording into your computer's integrated sound card isn't going to sound very good at all. Its noisy and low-fidelity. The core of recording into a computer is an audio interface that's designed for recording. If you're just jotting down ideas to give to your bandmates, your integrated card will work fine. But if you're going to give it to anybody other than bandmates, friends or family, you'll probably want to start saving your beer money for an interface and a preamp.

But seriously, you bump your thread after 14 minutes of inactivity? C'mon have a little more patience than that. Lots of people stop by here every day, so within 24 hours you'll have more contradictary opinions than you can shake a stick at. It is the internet, after all.
 
I'll bet George Martin would have used a laptop mic to record The Beatles if they'd had laptops back in the '60s...

Good luck kiddo!
 
Armistice said:
I'll bet George Martin would have used a laptop mic to record The Beatles if they'd had laptops back in the '60s...

Good luck kiddo!
Click to expand...

Definitely not. Have you ever tried to record with a laptop mic? They suck - the sound quality is garbage, and handling noise is awful because it's physically attached to a fan. I started recording on a laptop back in college, so yes, I'm speaking from expperience.

Martin may have worked on a modern computer system had he had the option, sure, but he was also working with really, really excellent gear when recording the Beatles. Didn't they track virtually everything with top-dollar ribbons?


Anyway, grab Reason, then pull together cash for a cheap mic. I've heard great things about Behringer's SM57 knockoff, and I started recording using a $30 Radio Shack no-name SM58 clone, a mic cable, and a 1/8" adaptor into my laptop's line in. It's not going to give you terrific fidelity, but it'll work and it's a great way to learn.
 
DrewPeterson7 said:
Didn't they track virtually everything with top-dollar ribbons?
Click to expand...

The only exception I can say for sure is "Get Back". I have read that those mics with the long, thin extensions used during those sessions were Neumann KM84i. Not exactly slumming it.
 
Mr. Antrobus said:
Reason?

I think you meant http://www.reaper.fm

excellent program for multitracking.

Reason is a swedish program aimed at dance/trance/idm/electronic music makers.

If you want cheap mics, naiant mics aren't expensive, but they're pretty nifty.

from then on it's anybody's guess as to what you want to spend.

If you're doing it cheaply, get reaper and a seperate mic. Heck, a labtec am-242 isn't that bad, comparatively.
Click to expand...

Ha, Yeah I definitely was thinking Reaper, I think I had just read a thread where someone was given props to Reason and it stuck in my mind subconsciously and unleased itself here.
Sorry chaazumms be sure to check out REAPER then, unless you wanna save some money and join the ranks of us ProToolers!
James
 
1. download Reaper
2. your laptop Mic aint going to get the job done, period.
you are going to have to spend some cash on a usb or firewire interface
since USB is cheaper and acording to your post you are needing cheap therefore my first recomendation is to get the Behringer Guitar Link UCG102 USB Interface
from musicians friend for about 45 bucks shipped to your door
there are much better interfaces but this will get you recording to some degree. If you are wanting to multi track record simultaneously you are going to need to spend a bit more money but this interface will do the job for you one track at a time.
You will also need to down the ASIO driver from the behringer website or ASIO for all in order for this interface to work, (Also a free download).
Edit: you can also download numerous free excellent VST plugin amp simulator and other FX online
PM Me with your email adress and I will send you attatched zipped folder of my favorites.
 
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