Help a computer idiot out....

[SlickJohannes]

I'm looking to start recording at home with my personal computer. I play guitar and am simply looking to be able to record both my electric and acoustic along with layering. Here's the problem: I have very little clue on where to start. I'm pretty sure I need a more appropriate sound card than than the one dell gave me, lol.

Here are my requirements of the system...
1) capability to record both acoustic and electric guitars through mic
2) layering capablity (I will need 4 layers at most)
3) must be able to code 5.1 sound for home theater use
and I would like to be able to take an existing piece of music on a CD and layer another track on it.

I am by no means an artist and very few people (if anyone) are going to hear my recordings so the quality does not have to be on par with _________(insert your fav. studio artist). The purpose of recording for me is practice and learning purposes. I have money, but not a lot. If I can get the software and hardware in one package, great. What do you guys suggest? Thanks, Jon

 

[e unum pluribus]

i ll just tell you before you get it from someone else check out the search tab and type newbie or audio interface or beginner or something...

 

[invisiblenemies]

Here are my requirements of the system...
1) capability to record both acoustic and electric guitars through mic
2) layering capablity (I will need 4 layers at most)
3) must be able to code 5.1 sound for home theater use
and I would like to be able to take an existing piece of music on a CD and layer another track on it.

#1, 2, and the informal #4 are pretty basic..however, not all multitrack recording software will allow you to mix in 5.1.

You probably will want to rethink the surround sound mixing - It's not always the most ideal setup. Besides, as a beginner, you need to master mixing in stereo before even THINKING about furthering that.

 

[TimOBrien]

Yup, start in stereo FIRST; you got lots to learn before going to surround sound.
(and it'll cost you tons of money to do right...)

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My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

Immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

Good Newbie guide that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html


Plenty of software around to record for free to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com

 

[SlickJohannes]

Sorry Guys, I Didn't Clarify... I Don't Want To Mix In 5.1... I Just Want 5.1 For When I Watch Dvd's And Such.