Computer Recording Setup *Newbie*

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5elements
  • Start date Start date
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5elements

New member
Hi everyone,

I'm musically trained and can play a fair few instruments, can get around a computer pretty good and have just upgraded my comp.

I would love to start recording my own stuff and thought you guys could help with what i need.

I have a:
Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz
160 Gig Harddrive
512 Mb RAM
DVD/CD Burner

Not sure on my soundcard.. had a scout round in device manager and i think it is a "Realtek A97" something like that. This comp is sposed to be a multimedia comp so i guess it should be ok.

I want to record mainly track by track at a time.. maybe 2 or 3, but i want to multi layer it so i can lay a bass track on bass guitar... play it back while recording the rhythm, play them both back and record the lead, then ad some other instruments i can play Clarinet/Sax/Trumpet/Flute or whatever. maybe record 2 at once maybe 3 at any one time.

anyway.. advise me.
thanks in advance all.

BTW.. would Midi Keyboard be worth it? i am happt to buya mixer if the 8 track one i have isn't appropriate... I'm unfamiliar with digital recording.
 
search under my name. ive posted hundreds of tips on these subjects
over the past year to help folks new to recording..
then if you have any q's - just ask.
for example. dont use on board sound like realtek. the audio convertors are
not good in on board sound chips.
after having read up a bit i'll answer any qustioons on mics,
software,soundcards,mixers,spkrs,recording techniques etc you have.
 
This was the first book I bought and it answered tons of questions - the same ones everyone seems to have.

It really comes to down to analyzing how you work; I record only myself, one instrument at a time, so my set up will differ greatly from someone who records a band playing together.

Having a vision of where you intend to be in the next few years as far as quality and marketability will also keep you from buying stuff that will be thrown away in a year.

Finally, don't neglect your recording space. The room you record in plays a big part in the sound you get. Jeff Strong's book has some limited information on this topic, but you'll learn much more by visiting the studio construction forum on this website. You don't have to throw a bunch of money into studio treatment right away, just browse the forum to get a handle on what you might want to do in the future.
 
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