Help for the technically challenged

  • Thread starter Thread starter TragicallyUnhip
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TragicallyUnhip

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Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and to recording, either digitally or any other way (well, except for pressing rec+play on cassette recorders). I am pretty clueless and I've tried to get a simple home studio set up before but have given up as I couldn't get it working...I even bought cubase vst years ago but couldn't work it out at all, so I got rid of it.

I know you guys have probably answered these questions time and time again but I would be really grateful if someone could let me know what equipment/software I need in addition to what I already have. Which is:

PC P3 800Mhz 256MB RAM etc (XP)
Soundblaster PCI card run-of-the-mill-thing
Echo Gina (old one not 24 bit) - XP drivers a bit dodgy?
N-Track studio cheapskate not registered version

I want to record:

Guitars (electric + acoustic)
Keyboard (via midi? If so how? Can I record drums on this...?)
Vocals (trusty Shure SM58)

Synth drums will do me for the moment as I am just into writing songs and recording 'em. I've managed to record a test song using the soundblaster card, writing synth+bass+drums but now want to put some real instrumentation and vocals down. Looking at this site I see discussions about pre-amps and mixers, compressors and the like, which has me thinking I need (a) some more equipment (b) more money to spend and (c) a lie-down.

Any pointers?

Please be gentle with me as I am a aging & confused ex-punk rock guitarist...

Thanks in advance
 
Hey Unhip,

I don't do any PC recording other than to burn CD's, so I'm not qualified to answer your questions, but I just figured I'd say welcome to the bbs. There are alot of very cool experienced folks here that I'm certain will get you up and running in no time.
I'm wondering if in your pursuit of recording you're partial to PC based or have you ever considered getting yourself a cassette or digital multi-track unit?? I only ask because multi-track machines are pretty simple, straight forward and make recording fun.
(That's not to say that PC's don't have those qualitie's as well)

:)
 
You have most of what you might need for PC recording. For electric guitar, you did not mention what amp or effects you have. Micing a guitar is usually harder. Having a guitar go direct can be much easier and many times with better results.

For vocals, you will need some way to connect SM58 via a preamp of some sort. A simple mixer may be the best way to go here. Behringer has mixers for $70.

For PC based recording, you may need more RAM as 256 in an 800 MHz PC is not a lot of horsepower.

The other approach is to get a small digital recorder. Do all the recording there and then move result files to PC for mix down. that approach is also much more mobile.

What I do is very similar, and here is the gear and order I use:

1. Band In the Box for basic song (drums/bass/keys)
2. Move result to Fostex MR8
3. Record live vocals and guitars
4. Move results back to PC
5. Mix down with PowerTracks
6. Burn CD

Total cost of software and hardware was less than $400.

Ed
 
Thanks for replies

Billy & Ed,

Thanks very much for the welcome and the advice.

I am planning to use the PC because I already have it, and also I figured that it would be easier to update as and when new stuff became available. However, if it's as tricky as it seems then maybe it'd be better to get some small recorder.

I was wondering how to get the guitar into the recorder! Currently I've tried playing my acoustic directly into the soundcard. It sounded OK but the software didn't seem able to cope with it and a midi drum track at the same time (it got completely out of time on playback). Actually the software keeps crashing as well; makes me wonder. Maybe that extra RAM...

I have an old marshall JCM 800 50W amp with 4x12 speakers that is a wonderful thing to play live but I reckon it might upset my neighbours a bit if I tried using it in my flat...I remember you used to be able to get speaker simulators (or something) that you plugged in to the amp instead of speakers and then sent that to the recorder. Any ideas?

I'm off to find out some more about digital recorders!

Cheers
John
 
Micing an accoustic is hard. You need a room with low noise and a good mic on a mic stand. Player cannot move much as that will change sound level. A good accoustic pickup (humbucker) can go a long way here. You can get Dean Markley pickups for less than $100.

For electric guitar, a Line 6 POD unit is a great accessory. Lots of good sound effects and direct recording is a snap. Completely silent using headphones.

After trying some PC based stuff, and reading all the latency issues (out of sync sound), I decided to go to an external digital recorder. Have no regrets here.

Ed
 
Ed,

Ha! seems that you've been down this road and learned the hard way - thanks for sharing your experiences.

My acoustic has built-in pickups so I'm hoping to avoid the micing probs. But I do wanna get some good loud telecaster noise recorded!

:-)
 
There are some good speaker simulators available for amp connection. I bullt my own, but the Rockman Power Soak might be an option. Really consider the POD gear, as that is much easier than about anything for recording.

Ed
 
Ed,

I've looked at the POD and it seems like a top piece of kit. I wonder if something like the Korg Pandora would work as well - I can blag one of these from a friend, which means I save a lot of money.

I think I might give it a try, that still leaves me with the problems (latency?) I'm having with N-Track so I reckon I'll have a look at a recording device, as you suggested.

Wow - thanks for the help.. If you're ever in Pangbourne, England I'll buy you a beer.

John
 
Another direct guitar option is the Behringer V-Amp. Very similar to the Line 6 POD, but generally much cheaper.

ed
 
David, my long-lost Zappa/Rush man, how is the J-Station working for you?

TragicallyUnhip, other cheaper choices are the Digitech RP50 Modeling Guitar Processor , the Alesis GuitarFX, and the Zoom 505II Guitar Multi-Effects -- all are about $70 street price).
 
AlChuck said:
David, my long-lost Zappa/Rush man, how is the J-Station working for you?
Click to expand...
You will be finding out soon, I am working on the Zappa! Woohoo!

The J-Station is very cool. I am still messing with getting the right sounds; the presets are not doing it. But it's cool to finally get to use my electric violin and get a rock sound.
 
Zoiks, I'm gonna be busy investigating all this stuff!

Must go get another beer...

Cheers
 
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