Newbies Newbie!

[Bombdigity]

Hope all had a great and safe Christmas..NOW..

I don't know squat about this recording stuff and reading the posts makes me believe that I need to go back to college and get another degree just to understand what the "newbies" are asking..so
I REALLY am a newbie or at least a wanna be!
I am a Pan (steel drum) player that wants to venture into making my own accompaniements/backgroungs. I tried using karaoke disks but they just don't cut it. Your guidance should help. Thnak You

What I do have...
1. HP pavillion windows 7 64-bit computer
2. Yamaha psr-37 keyboard with midi cables
3. Fender Passport p-250 with 4 dynamic mics
4. Ambition

What I do not have...
1. Any kind of Midi interface
2. Proper software
3. Actual acquaintence with anyone who knows anything about this stuff!

My question is ... and yes I can take all or any of the jokes. I speak fluent sarcasm..LOL... working on a shoestring budget and maybe ebay , what equipment and software would get me started the most inexpensively and efficiently?
Thanks in advance. JOHN

 

[mjbphotos]

First thing you need to get is an interfacce (Firewire or USB) - this will be bundled with software - there is also much free software available, too. Do some looking aorund here, you'll see lots of recommendations.

 

[TheChikenMaster]

there is someone here that has a whole list for newbies where is he? Oh by the way sarcasm goes right over my head I take it literally
An interface is a start. Comes with software. Not too hard to figure out how to use and hook it all up.

 

[kcearl]

Hope all had a great and safe Christmas..NOW..

I don't know squat about this recording stuff and reading the posts makes me believe that I need to go back to college and get another degree just to understand what the "newbies" are asking..so
I REALLY am a newbie or at least a wanna be!
I am a Pan (steel drum) player that wants to venture into making my own accompaniements/backgroungs. I tried using karaoke disks but they just don't cut it. Your guidance should help. Thnak You

What I do have...
1. HP pavillion windows 7 64-bit computer
2. Yamaha psr-37 keyboard with midi cables
3. Fender Passport p-250 with 4 dynamic mics
4. Ambition

What I do not have...
1. Any kind of Midi interface
2. Proper software
3. Actual acquaintence with anyone who knows anything about this stuff!

My question is ... and yes I can take all or any of the jokes. I speak fluent sarcasm..LOL... working on a shoestring budget and maybe ebay , what equipment and software would get me started the most inexpensively and efficiently?
Thanks in advance. JOHN

make yourself a coffee, make sure you're free for an hour or two and read this

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

not all of it will pertain to you, not all of it will make sense to you, but if you absorb 50% of it you will be in a far better position than many n00bs who come here..

I only started this in March, and started recording a few months later...there is no easy/quick fix if you want to do it properly

welcome aboard

 

[Bombdigity]

Thnaks all. I had already read the tweek link. I'll start with the interface. I was looking at the Mbox.
Thanks again

 

[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/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=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-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&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/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.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 that WORK: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)


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...)

 

[Bombdigity]

Thanks Tim,
It is painfully obvious that this "Not Ready fro Prime Time" player is WAY out of his league and maybe should consider such activities at some point down the road if ever.... I wasn't looking to make a CD for distribution but rather the fun of it. But your 100% correct if your thinking if your gonna do it..DO IT RIGHT!!! Sound like more work than fun...LOL The GOOD news is all of the sound wizards' jobs are secure.
Thanks again to you and all replys for taking your time.
Regards
Mr. Bombdigity

 

[moresound]

Thnaks all. I had already read the tweek link. I'll start with the interface. I was looking at the Mbox.
Thanks again

The mbox will be an excellent starter!

 

[TimOBrien]

Thanks Tim,
It is painfully obvious that this "Not Ready fro Prime Time" player is WAY out of his league and maybe should consider such activities at some point down the road if ever....

We were ALL in the same spot when we started.

You have the luxury of a lot of good resources out there now (books, websites, programs, etc.)

It's like any other hobby where you got to start at the bottom and work your way up...