A Little Help

  • Thread starter Thread starter shallyb610
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shallyb610

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I just need some recommendations and tips on what to to get in order to begin recording.

I taught myself both piano and guitar, but never really went further than that. Been playing for almost 12 years, but now I really want to start recording. I record a lot of stuff on my keyboard, but it takes forever, and the process I use for extracting my music off the keyboard is ridiculous.

Anyway, so I have my keyboard. I've also got an acoustic/electric guitar (which includes a standard input and an xlr jack). I plan to buy a midi cable, and an xlr cable. I also already have several programs on my computer, like audacity, reaper (trial), etc. And I've got some good headphones with a quarter inch input.

So based on that, I just need to know what else I need to record clear sound. I'm very conventional with recording, I had to be to be able to record on my keyboard. I just don't know what else I need to be able to get things rolling. Also, not trying to be picky, but I don't want 'decent' sound. I have all these cables for plugging my instruments up, so I want it to be clear and loud.

What kind of equipment would you suggest? I don't know much about any of the technical stuff, but based on what I'm asking for, What kind of external audio interface am I looking for? What do I need?

Anything helps, so thanks in advance! :)
 
You can check out the Audio Interfaces like the Steinberg Cl2 or the ones made by line 6.
 
Thanks, the CI2 is looking to be a pretty good one. The tutorial videos are really helping me learn a lot too. What about Audio Box? Is that a good one?
 
Does your keyboard have the midi output? You said you were going to get a cable for that, so I assume yes. What you need is an audio interface, as suggested above. Do some research about them; remember what you want/need. I'd suggest you to look for an interface which has two inputs and midi; for your guitar and possibly for a microphone in the future if you want to sing and record - guitar - for example. I have M-Audio Fast track pro, which is pretty neat. Read a lot and buy only when you are 100% sure. For serious recording you'd want to have monitors, but if you have good headphones you don't necessarily need them. Good ones cost money and you don't do anything with cheap and bad monitors.

EDIT: Haha I didn't read your opening post through, but yeah, two inputs at minimum; so you don't have to upgrade the interface immediately when you want to move on.
 
Geez, where'd all the newbies come from today?

Yes, you need an audio interface. If you keyboard has MIDI output but not through USB, make sure you get an AI with MIDI input. You may not use it now, but it would be good to have in the future. If your keyboard has stereo audio ouput, then you will want an AI with at least 2 line inputs. You'll also need at least one input that can be used for Hi-Z (instrument) input for the a/e guitar.
 
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