CD Writers and Music Software Questions

[Emeric]

I can try and answer a few questions:

1. External drives are more expensive and are usually SCSI or USB. Is portability an issue? Internals can be SCSI or IDE, IDE is less expensive. SCSI has the advantage of allowing you to multitask while it's burning (something I never do regardless of which it is), use to be faster and more reliable, but these days IDE is plenty quick - and reliable.

Best brands: I've used Mitsumi's and Yamaha's. Both with good results. If your leaning towards SCSI, Yamaha would be my pick. There are a few other brands no doubt someone else will mention.

2. Yes, you need a 1/8" stereo male to 2 RCA males. For video you need some type of video capture card, ATI "all in wonder" comes to mind, but there are others, both more expensive and less.

3. Check out the products by Sonic Foundry. I don't know anything about DJ stuff or video editing - someone on this BBS is into the video editing, can't remember name.

Another thing you may want to consider is what sound card you will be using. What are your requirements, high end, middle of the road, low end? Range in price from $30 $1000+

Hope this helps.

 

[SC]

I need advice and info on three things:

1. I want to get a CD Writer and I want advice on the best one to get. Internal vs external? SCSI vs whatever? Best brands, what they cost etc. My main uses will be to record sets of favorite song custom CDs of existing music; make "soundscapes, collages, etc."; doing data backups and possibly on line video editing. Is it possible, given the right software to do all these things with a CD Writer and again, which is best for these uses?

2. Is there a way to hook up a cassette player into the computer so that I can record things onto mix CD's etc. I have a lot of things on cassette and tons of old LPs that I would like to use, convert to CD etc. Assuming it is possible, what do I need to include this form of media? Is it also possible to hook up a VCR and video camera to the computer to do editing? Again, what is involved and needed?

3. It looks like there are quite a few DJ/music software packages out there, which is most comprehensive, easy to use, best deal for the $$, etc? I want to be able to do sound on sound, I guess you call that crossfading. I have an old Fostex analog portable 4 track and I want to be able to do similar things with the computer onto CDs, like overlap beginings and endings of songs (seque beat, etc.), play things on top of each other, ie. do multi-track "buildable" recordings. Also, what is a good video editing package that will allow fades, wipes, chyrons, music and voice-overs mixed with existing sound on the videos, etc. I want to be able to make little films, collages, movies, using stuff shot on video cameras and things on standard VHS tape (the video camera uses video 8).

I know I am asking for a number of different things, but they are all related to doing audio and or video recording, editing, overlap work, etc.

I have a new PC, 12 gig hard drive, Pent III, lots of RAM, etc.

I appreciate any advice and direction that you can offer.

Thanks,

SC

 

[lkmuller]

Hi,

I thought I'd put my 2 cents in also. What Emeric says is absolutely true. Let me tell you how I've transfered a lot of old albums and cassettes onto CD.

First of all, whether you get a SCSI or an IDE burner will depend on what your computer uses. If your competer is IDE, you'd better get an IDE burner. Your computer documentation will tell you what you have, or a quick call to the place you bought it would answer the question also (that's what I would do....saves time and brain power).

Now, this how I transfer stuff from a cassette to a CD. I bought a shareware program called Cool Edit. There are a couple of versions out - the pro version is a couple of hundred bucks. I got the other one - the 40 dollar one. I ran a cord from the headphone jack of my Tascam recorder into the line in receptacle on the back of my soundcard (behind the computer). In my case, it's a 1/4" stereo jack on one end, and a 1/8" stereo jack on the other. I got it a Radio Shack. I then played the cassette and recorded it onto my computer's hard drive with Cool Edit, which produces a wave file, which can be burnt onto a CD.

I've tried going from the line out jacks in back of the recorder, but amazingly, have found that the sound came out better by using the headphone out. There may be people out there who disagree from me, and I'd love to hear from them so I can learn more about this exciting hobby!

 

[drstawl]

Which TASCAM are you using?
I know what you mean about the two circuits
on the TASCAM. Line Out and Monitor out.
On my Portastudios the headphones are on the Monitor Out circuit and can be boosted a bit. The Line out is whatever is there. But the Line Out IS a somewhat cleaner signal.
It's really a toss-up. Try it both ways and see for yourself. Have you tried just recording the .wav from the Line Out and then normalizing the file in Cool Edit? Also, better sound cards will have some means to increase the gain from weak input sources.

[This message has been edited by drstawl (edited 03-04-2000).]

 

[lkmuller]

Hey Drstahl,

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to try it tomorrow. By the way, I have a Tascam 112R. I've been mixing down to a minidisk lately, though, and kind of like it. My wife's bugging me right now, but when I have some free time I'd like to describe my system to you and see if you have any suggestions as to how I can maybe do things a little better.

Thanks

 

[Eddie N]

ill take a stab at # 3...

for video editing , i would browse www.pinnaclesys.com ... they are a manufacturer of good quality video capture cards ..

my suggestion though , is the pinnacle dv500 ( http://www.pinnaclesys.com/dv500/ ) .. its a video capture card with analog video input and output and also supports firewire (IEEE1394), which is the standard for transferring digital video from a DV camcorder.. it also comes with adobe premiere 5.1 for video editing , which is the prosumer non linear editing system of choice by many... the dv500 also performs all edits in real time , with out having to wait for rendering.. and for your digital audio needs , it comes with acid music software , which in my opinion is great, although its not a multitracker.. for multitracking , i would look into vegas pro from sonic foundry (400 bucks), it also does minimal video editing , but i hear its choppy at best....(the dv500 also comes with many other effects plug ins and software bundled as well , too much to list)

the dv500 might be overkill because of its firewire support , and the fact that your using an analog camcorder, but more than likely when you get bit by the digital A/V bug , youll upgrade to a digital camera.. (although pinnacle also makes capture cards with out firewire support if your not planning on moving up to digital) ..

i dont know what your budget it , but the dv500 can be had for under 900 dollars with all of its bundled software , and in my opinion its a steal.. youll have a full fitured digital video editing solution with one purchase.. i only mention a product with such a high pricetag because you seem like the kind of person who likes doing things right the first time.. just keep in mind that digital video puts more of a strain on the computer than digital audio , so your pc needs to be up to par..

ps.. 37point5 is more of the site expert on digital video than i am..

- eddie -




[This message has been edited by Eddie N (edited 03-05-2000).]