computer recording setup question

[HalighALie01]

My name is Sean. I'm 16 and basically entirely new a recording, so I don't know much. In fact I know almost nothing. I've read around alot but I'm getting confused easily, so please bear with me. This is my first time getting into recording and I have no previous knowledge. I'll be asking a lot of questions, most of them are probibily stupid.

What I would like to do is hook up a mixer to my computer and mic my amps recording with cool edit pro. Do I need a four track or can I just use a mixer and run that into my sound card? Do the monitors need to be hooked up to the mixer or to the computer?

Whats the purpose of a power amp for monitors?
Can I use a Dynamic mic to record bass?
It's smarter to use computer recording instead of four/eight track cassette right?
Can my mixer go straight to my sound card or do I need an interface like USB or something else?

Also, any ideas of how I could get better aqquainted with all of this? I took guitar lessons for years; I wonder if there are recording lessons. It's all kind of overwhelming without anything visual to look at. (I'm the visual learner type)

Thank you all in advance for my extremely newbie questions.

PS: I'm going to feel very stupid asking this, but why in many setups do I see dual computer screen (monitor) setups? What's the purpose?

 

[traidma]

heya,
I started like you 2 years ago. I know what you are going through... feel free to IM (danielraid1985). I can help you with most of your questions.

 

[crankz1]

Check out Tweak's Guide for a few pointers.
Also Using a mixer with a DAW.
You can hook a mixer up to your soundcard. Bear in mind that a standard soundcard will only offer two channels of input (two simultaneous mono tracks).
Depending on your mixer and it's routing capabilities, will dictate how you connect the soundcard and your monitors.
Monitors that don't contain their own amplification (Passive) require an external amplifier. Active monitors, on the other hand, have built in power amps.
Yes you can use a dynamic to mic a bass cab. Just use one that offers good low end frequency response.
Computer recording offers a great advantage when it comes to editing audio and many programs offer unlimited tracks (provided your computer has enough balls to handle them all).
Dual screens allow you to spread your work out (i.e. having the track view on one screen while the software mixer is on the other or the the graphical interface for any plugins (effects) that you may be using).

Welcome to HR.com
Feel free to ask away, that's why this place is here.

 

[TimOBrien]

Do yourself a big favor:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...102-8876298-4007342?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[HalighALie01]

Thanks alot traidma and crankz1. I'll be doing some more reading.
TimOBrien, I already have that book haha. Still reading. Learning, but they cover about every possible way to ever record in that book, so it's easy to get confused. Although it is very helpful.

 

[NYMorningstar]

crankz1, I checked out Tweakheadz site and it's great. Never seen that before, Thank You.

 

[crankz1]

Not a problem .... I'm happy to offer up anything that's helpful for others.