General how to guides?

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WERNER 1

WERNER 1

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Do you guys have any general guides that deal with what one needs to get started in PC based home recording? I've been lurking and reading for a couple of weeks now, but havn't really found what I've been looking for.

Somthing like a hardware guide to a couple of common basic set ups. (inst., preamp, sound card, software.....)

Then maybe somthing that breaks down into individual steps, every aspect of the recording/ mixing process.

just thinking (typing) out loud.........

Don't flame me too badly! :(

Rick
 
In simple terms, there are 3 ways you can go:

1. All PC based recording
2. External DAW based recording
3. Combo of external DAW and PC

Each has their pros and cons

PC recording involves the least gear. You need software and some way to get sound from things like microphones and guitars into PC. Your existing sound card can be used with usually fairly good results. The main issues for PC recording are mobility and latency. Trying to record more than one thing at a time with PC recording is much harder. Trying to record something like drums is also hard, as they are quite often not located in same place. Software for less than $100 gets you going at some basic level.

External Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), which is a fancy name for multi-track digital recorders, is probably the most flexible approach and also the most costly. A good 16 track digital recorder can be moved easily and will record just about anything and anywhere. However costs start at about $1000 and goes up with features and options. Getting more than 16 tracks is very expensive.

External DAW and PC use is a good alternative for many. You buy a low cost standalone multi-track digital recorder. You use it to record vocals, guitars, drums, etc. You then move the results back to the PC for editing and mix down. You can get the equivalent of a 16 track system for less than $400. Recording more than one source at a time (for example a whole band) is usually not easy with this approach.

Ed
 
At this point I'll be souly PC based.......one track at a time. I have a Yamaha 4track that I've been using for a few years, I guess I could use that as a mixer/preamp at some stage of the game.......

Drums scare me! I would probably have to use my 4track to mix drums down to one track on the PC.

I've pretty much decided on the M-Audio 2496 card..........unless there is somthing that is much better out there for the same price: $150.00.......(money is a factor)

I've been looking and reading about all of the different software...........descisions, descisions! I'm leaning towards n-track at this point, mostly because of the price and what appears to be a straight forward and easy way to get started.

I'm good with knobs, but I don't know about this whole PC software thing! :)

Thanks for taking the time as this is probably painfully basic for you all..........sorry, got to start somwhere I guess.

Thanks,
Rick
 
At first, all you need is a computer, and a program that lets you record. ( N- Track Studio is a good place to start, You can download a trial version of it for free online, you'll want to upgrade to the full version eventually) The software takes some time to figure out ( save yourself some time and read the Help menu). This BB will speed thing up also, Everyone here seems to be really cool, and knowledgable. When you get better at recording, and learn the ins and outs you can upgrade to a recording program that gets even better fidelity, like Sound Forge, Calkwalk, ( there's lots more, you can get the lowdown on all of them here on this BB. )

Good Luck

Mark
 
Yeah, I'm a bit overwhelmed by all of the info that's out there, I feel like I haven't ever steped out of the boat yet......in regards to getting my feet wet.

I just received Cool Edit Pro 2.0 from a buddy of mine..........I have no clue how to use it though. :(

Read, read, read...........ZZZZzzzz....
 
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