Complete Beginner to Recording on Computer

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UTRockets1208

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I am looking to start recording some of my songs onto my laptop in order to compile them into a CD for my family and friends. I have seen many artists record with two mics, one down by the guitar, and one by their mouth for the vocals. I have a lot of questions as a beginner, so I will throw them all out there and see if anyone can help me out.

1. First is first, what kind of mics work best if I want to record with two. I have read a few posts about being able to record at the same time, but recording so that the two are "split" and you can edit them individually afterwards. Is there an easy way to do this? For some of the songs that I cannot play and sing at the same time for yet, I will need to record seperately, but for any other song it seems to lose its feel when I record them seperately, and does not have the same effect in my mind, so it would be best if I could record at the same time but have the tracks split so I could edit each individually.

2. Obviously I need software to help with the recording. I currently use Garageband and just record on the built in microphone. Not bad, but needless to say not professional quality. What additional software and plug in cords will I need to purchase in order to have everything I need to begin recording at home. (I have a Macbook Pro)

3. I want to limit my spending to a reasonable amount. I have plenty of money to spend if I needed to purchase something expensive, but as a beginner I would hope I could purchase something cheap and still have a professional sound to it. So my question is, what are the cheapest ways to record my songs and make them sound somewhat professional (remember I am just recording for friends and family, so it doesn't have to be extraordinary).

Any help would be mch appreciated because I am clueless at this point! THANK YOU!!
 
They make certain mics that are made to keep a limited range so you get less bleed from other sounds. You should be able to set that up and keep the sources somewhat (not completely if you are doing them at the same time) separated.


A little research will answer most of your questions.

USB/Firewire Computer Interface:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...ltitrack-computer-interface-recording-323561/

General Recording Resources:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...es/internets-best-recording-resources-292253/

https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...iques/acoustic-guitar-recording-101-a-290919/

https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...mputers/music-making-computer-dummies-301908/

Phantom Power Explained:
Phantom Power Explained

https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...le-multi-track-recording-setup-advice-323423/

And for software, if you haven't already get Reaper
REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits
 
What are you recording? I'm guessing it's a vocal and acoustic guitar?
 
Yeah I am recording vocal and acoustic. I like to do cover songs and share them with my family, especially my mom, but I also have written a few of my own songs and would like to get them recorded in a good quality so that I can share them as well.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LINKS @ARCADEKO

If I was going to start of with the bare minimum what would you say I needed? Here is what I gather so far:
-Two mics since I want to record two different signals.
-USB interface to get the signal from the microphones.
-Software to edit the track (I currently have garageband, but will most likely get Reaper)

I am not sure I understand the amplifiers and what all it does and if I really need it or not. I guess my question is, what would be the bare minimum I could get to begin recording, and then what things might you suggest that I could get to improove the quality, and what benefits will those components have compared to the minimums. This way I can decide what I actually want to spend my money on at this time since I am only a beginner.
 
UTRockets1208 said:
Yeah I am recording vocal and acoustic. I like to do cover songs and share them with my family, especially my mom, but I also have written a few of my own songs and would like to get them recorded in a good quality so that I can share them as well.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LINKS @ARCADEKO

If I was going to start of with the bare minimum what would you say I needed? Here is what I gather so far:
-Two mics since I want to record two different signals.
-USB interface to get the signal from the microphones.
-Software to edit the track (I currently have garageband, but will most likely get Reaper)

I am not sure I understand the amplifiers and what all it does and if I really need it or not. I guess my question is, what would be the bare minimum I could get to begin recording, and then what things might you suggest that I could get to improove the quality, and what benefits will those components have compared to the minimums. This way I can decide what I actually want to spend my money on at this time since I am only a beginner.
Click to expand...

Reaper is an EXCELLENT program. Highly recommended.

And to be honest, the bare minimum is a USB condenser mic and Audacity, but the sound quality most likely won't be great. One question for you, do you preform/ play in front of other people quite often or? And have you had any professional lessons? Particularly in the area of singing.
 
You don't absolutely have to have two mics for that (if you're looking to hold costs down). To record an acoustic guitar and a vocal you could get by with one decent condenser (doesn't even have to be a condenser). With one mic:

-- record a scratch track to a click that's you and the guitar
-- adjusting the mic and referencing the scratch track, record the guitar
-- adjusting the mic and referencing either the scrtach or the guitar or both record the vocal.

Saves you a mic.
 
@Geoffry I have never performed in front of an audience if that's what you mean. I am not the greatest singer, and have only been playing guitar now for about 4 years. I haven't really gotten involved with pursueing any kind of performances or anything. Also, I have never had guitar lessons or singing lessons. Why do you ask?

I think my idea here is to start off simple and cheap. I'm not going to go dirt cheap and have poor audio quality, but I also don't want to buy a bunch of things that are not necessary at this point. I think I definitely want two mics because I want to avoid having to record vocals separate from guitar. So you are saying that if I get two mics, (both USB condensor mics), and Audacity, the sound quality wouldn't be great. What is the bare minimum you think I could get to have a decent sound quality?
 
pair of CAD M179s (2x$159)
Emu 0404 USB interface ($200) or Emu 0406 USB ($229)
Reaper software ($40)

The M179s can be used in fig8 pattern, which lets you point the null of the vocal mic at the guitar, and the null of the guitar mic at the voice. Very effective at minimizing bleed between mics.
 
UTRockets1208 said:
I think I definitely want two mics because I want to avoid having to record vocals separate from guitar. So you are saying that if I get two mics, (both USB condensor mics), and Audacity, the sound quality wouldn't be great. What is the bare minimum you think I could get to have a decent sound quality?
Click to expand...

Don't get two USB mics (don't even get one :) ) - if you want some great cheap mics pic up some used Shure SM57 or SM58's or look at the Good Mic's for under $100 thread in the mic forum. Use Reaper it is much better for mixing than Audacity and Reaper has a free trial then is only $40

You should be able to get a real cheap usb interface for under $150 that will have two XLR inputs with pre-amps.
 
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