Lookin' To Make It Big...

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and he's off...lol

We dont do any favors recommending crap ya know...but you did have a cool book there...I bought it and it has some cool stuff in there.

There is a few companies we want the new guys to avoid so they dont throw thier money away...most of why we are here is to give GOOD advice:rolleyes:
 
We dont do any favors recommending crap ya know...but you did have a cool book there...I bought it and it has some cool stuff in there.

There is a few companies we want the new guys to avoid so they dont throw thier money away...most of why we are here is to give GOOD advice:rolleyes:

Yes Darrin I get you and the crusade...now don't make me drag you into the cave and beat you with my riding crop :p
 
What exactly do you mean by sound card? Like the one's in a computer or something else?

If you've got a desktop computer it will have a soundcard which is so-so and you can buy a better one made for musicians. Music companies like MAudio make good cheap ones, and they usually come with a program to record with.

Buy used stuff off of Craigslist because the stuff that came out a few years ago is fine for what you're doing and you'll waste money buying new.

cantthinkofname there's something incorrect going on there like the computer doesn't have enough RAM, the format got changed somewhere to a crappy rate, or maybe it's because you can hear it better on the computer and it's revealing the camera's built in audio compressor "searching" for the right level. In some ways, cassette's are better as they have very few variables and you can just think "songs".

But the No. 1 way you learn is by doing things wrong so all of this is good!
 
the one in your PC is a piece of crap and meant to reproduce beeps when you click your mouse...not music..

beware of cards like audigy...while these are fairly cheap and sound great with games, video streaming etc they are not designed for music production...look for other things..I started with an M audio quattro for $50 of clist..its old but it worked fine..look and research

Ill second that and add that many interfaces bought new like the Line6 UX2 come with a free version of DAW software so you kill 2 birds with $200 there.
 
there's something incorrect going on there like the computer doesn't have enough RAM, the format got changed somewhere to a crappy rate, or maybe it's because you can hear it better on the computer and it's revealing the camera's built in audio compressor "searching" for the right level. In some ways, cassette's are better as they have very few variables and you can just think "songs".

But the No. 1 way you learn is by doing things wrong so all of this is good!

i'm not sure, but somehow the format definitly changed somewhere, as for the computer its a cheap Aspire, but i don't think its the computer i think it could be more about the processing. I did not know the camera had a built in compressor, but it did sound MUCH better through the cameras tiny little speaker, which suprised me bigtime, because i was assuming it would sound the worst through that.

I used to use cassettes/'boom boxes' all the time, and they aren't too bad, i agree with you, i could be wrong but they seem more true to the sound. (although it always sucked when you had more in your mind to add and couldn't layer it at that right moment before it was lost) (so thats why i've been working on turning my mind into and interesting piece of software!lol, it works sometimes, but alot of the time files still get lost! ha ha)

however, in many cases the equipment does effect the sound don't you agree? I have a cheap (my favorite word for the day i guess lol) accoustic with strings that are ready to disintegrate on it. I remember a long time ago i had a very nice ovation accoustic, and it sounded much better. I also have a nice strat, and sounds good. I agree with you that the song is most important, and the most important thing to focus on at first, but the sound is definitly effected by the medium its on don't you think?

I'm hoping it truly sounded as good as the vid camera versions, i hope!! I thought so anyway, not sure. You really made me think again about my playing, and the illusion of what may or may not be coming out what its being recorded on, thanks!
 
First of all I was a little put off by your threads title, “Lookin' To Make It Big...” :( but that’s neither here nor there. You have a macbook pro I suggest you start there. I’m not sure if you ever used it but you should have garageband which is a great free tool to start with. You could buy all sorts of loops from Sonys Acid Loop Library and they are fully compatible with garageband. They got Hip Hop, Trance, Electronica, Metal, Etc. There are many other loop libraries from other companies but Sonys is what I’m familiar with. But I beg you to take the advice of most of us here and do your homework tweakheadz is a great resource and if you’re not willing to read then at least check out some instructional videos on youtube.
 
START Small

If your goal is a hobby to take up some time . . . . don't spend a ton of money at first. This is what I would do. Get something like this . . .

http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfrie...Axiom-25-25Key-USB-MIDI-Controller?sku=706313

you get 25 keys plus a few pads that will let you control ANYTHING you need to program beats. It works through your USB port so you don't need an interface. It comes with a sample library and Ableton Live Lite (which i hear is good for the type of music you are wanting to do . . . but i have no experience with it.)

I would invest in some decent monitors. You don't need to spend $1000.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...woofers-recording-pro-audio?N=100001+338382+8
I don't really have any experience with most of these, but you should be able to get something DECENT (NOTE: they won't be GREAT, just DECENT) for $200-300.

Yes the tutorial at TWEAKHEADZ should be required reading. It's free and there is tons of information. Understand MIDI and it's strengths/weakness and how to implement it.

There you go.
 
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... however, in many cases the equipment does effect the sound don't you agree?...

It can't help but affect it, it always does. I'm with you that some sort of format change did something to your recording. I wouldn't question your gut feeling about the recording. Maybe there's some import settings somewhere that let you decide what format and quality you import at?

DJWheels I understand your feeling about the title. I laughed at it and it didn't bug me but that just shows you how so often humor doesn't work in print. My guess is that if you were in the room with Keola and he said that you'd see he was just being funny. I've got into trouble because I see humor in a lot of things, and it doesn't work on the internet a lot of times.

Keola if you've got Garageband that's probably a good place to start. Just get a mic and interface off of Craigslist for cheap and after a few weeks you won't like the mic and that's how the growing/learning goes. You have to learn what doesn't work as much as what does, and you'll only get that from doing it.
 
Okay so I'm up to "Signal Flow" on tweakheadz.com but even though it's really useful it's just a little too complicated for me. Does anyone know a different site that's just as good but makes more sense? tweakheadz.com just seems more like an advanced tutorial site that isn't entirely suitable for a newbie...

**EDIT**

Also, could someone please take a look at these links and tell me what you think?
MIDI Controller
Audio Interface
Studio Monitors
Mixer <-- just in case I want to use my desktop, then I'll have to get a sound card as well but right now I'm just looking for things that I can use with my MacBook Pro. If there's anything else you would recommend that would be really appreciated.
 
Okay so I'm up to "Signal Flow" on tweakheadz.com but even though it's really useful it's just a little too complicated for me. Does anyone know a different site that's just as good but makes more sense? tweakheadz.com just seems more like an advanced tutorial site that isn't entirely suitable for a newbie...

**EDIT**

Also, could someone please take a look at these links and tell me what you think?
MIDI Controller
Audio Interface
Studio Monitors
Mixer <-- just in case I want to use my desktop, then I'll have to get a sound card as well but right now I'm just looking for things that I can use with my MacBook Pro. If there's anything else you would recommend that would be really appreciated.

all are fine but Id say for an extra $50 you get the axiom 25 keyboard which controls far more parameters than the 49key..the pads are basic but will help when it comes to programming drums or just setting off midi clips..plus you may still get Ableton Live lite with it (I did) a superb sequencer for getting ideas started..and the two work seamlessly


spend $100 less on the audio interface and $100 more on the monitors if you're sticking to a budget...depending on the inputs on the audio interface do you really need a mixer? use that cash elsewhere


Look I know the equipment stage is fun, and I bet you can't wait to get started but the stuff on tweakheadz.com is for newbies...the bits that you don't understand you need to find out, I read for a month before I even pressed record and I just finished my second track this week with the first one sounding like a monkey mixed it...seriously there are no shortcuts or we would be all recording fabulous music and I can tell you right now..not all of us are, for sure :)
 
You went to tweakheadz which is more than a lot of people do, they just want to be spoonfed info. So good on you.

I found that tweakheadz is a lot easier if you have stuff in front of you to work with while you read.

A few points about the gear you linked to;

1.if you're going to buy gear from a website, buy from a music site. Though the prices are the same, i just feel a little safer. Plus, I know musicians friends return policiy.

2. You only need an interface or mixer if you are going to record vocals or real instruments (i.e. guitar, bass, etc)

3. They oxygen keyboards are decent little controllers. they don't have any real give to the keys so if you want to be expressive, that can be tough. But for an entry level (which is not a "bad word" like a lot people say) controller it's not bad at all.



What about the tweakheadz stuff has you confused? Post a question about it and we'll try to help you out. Good luck.
 
1.if you're going to buy gear from a website, buy from a music site. Though the prices are the same, i just feel a little safer. Plus, I know musicians friends return policiy.

2. You only need an interface or mixer if you are going to record vocals or real instruments (i.e. guitar, bass, etc)

What about the tweakheadz stuff has you confused? Post a question about it and we'll try to help you out. Good luck.

I took a look at zzounds.com and they seem pretty good. I tried google but it's not really the most reliable thing in the world and Best Buy was the only thing I could think of, could you give me a couple sites?

My brother has an electric guitar that he let's me use from time to time so I thought I should keep mixers in mind.

I'll be sure to post a question separate from this thread.
 
I took a look at zzounds.com and they seem pretty good. I tried google but it's not really the most reliable thing in the world and Best Buy was the only thing I could think of, could you give me a couple sites?

My brother has an electric guitar that he let's me use from time to time so I thought I should keep mixers in mind.

I'll be sure to post a question separate from this thread.


these guys are good as well

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

http://www.sweetwater.com/


a guitar can go straight into an audio interface..you just need a softamp to process the signal..loads for free out their..
 
I'm taking a stapler to my head.
Welcome to the new HR! No question is too unfocused. The daily "I want to record. How do I do it?" thread is repeatedly answered by a clamoring throng competing to describe every aspect of the art and science of recording all in one thread.

Pass the stapler, bud.:D
 
It can't help but affect it, it always does. I'm with you that some sort of format change did something to your recording. I wouldn't question your gut feeling about the recording. Maybe there's some import settings somewhere that let you decide what format and quality you import at?

thank you, i'll look for the settings. I've decided to pick up the pace to try and get the live sound like the compressed sound, then i'm thinking it won't lag so much when it reaches the computer? Some recordings weren't as bad as others, so i think some problems might have to do with the mic placement and room (either kitchen or living room). The muffled sound may be unfixable until i upgrade to better software etc. or maybe i just need to get better at using what i got. Your right tho, this 'minor' stuff is a great learning experience.
 
budget

What's your budget?

You don't need a mixer.

Get a USB controller/keyboard.

Learn MIDI.

If you already have Garageband, use it.

KEEP IT SIMPLE. Don't make this more complicated than it has to be. You'll take all the fun out of it.

You're not recording vocals, so you don't need a microphone.

You really don't even need an interface right now. Just plug your headphones into your laptop if you have to.
 
+1 on using Garageband. It's a pretty good piece of software and rumor has it T-Pain used/uses it.
 
What's your budget?

You don't need a mixer.

Get a USB controller/keyboard.

Learn MIDI.

If you already have Garageband, use it.

KEEP IT SIMPLE. Don't make this more complicated than it has to be. You'll take all the fun out of it.

You're not recording vocals, so you don't need a microphone.

You really don't even need an interface right now. Just plug your headphones into your laptop if you have to.

this is great advice.
start with garageband and it's built in keyboard and if at the end of the month you still like it buy the usb keyboard. and then keep slowly upgrading
 
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