Home Recording For Low IQs with ADD

[leadlungbetty]

I searched for some of my questions but I couldn't fully comprehend the suggestions as they weren't in laymen terms. I don't have much technical background audio wise either.

I compose on a Yamaha Motif (but don't physically write music on paper) and I write lyrics, making songs. I'd like to multi-track record them so I can copyright them, catalog them and possibly seek licensing of some of them for performers to sing.

Long long ago I was able to do this using Cool Edit on a regular home computer. But I tried to do similar out the box with several things (Sonar, Acid Pro, and several others) and ran into dozens of issues; a big one being latency. I have exhausted most of my money for this on failed attempts. My last try was a year ago.

I would like to try again. My budget is so tight. So what I am asking is this.

What PC (manufacturer, model #) can I buy to do this? (not a mac)
What other equipment should I buy (type, manufacturer, model #)?
What software should I use?

I'm REALLY needing something that doesn't require tweaking too much. Ideally, something I can connect and go.

A friend of mine suggested the easiest route is to use an MBOX2 that comes with Protools and that it should work out the box with any machine using an intel dual core processor with enough memory. Is this true?

Would you suggest something else?

 

[Steenamaroo]

if you want something that runs on 'any pc', protools is the last thing in the world i'd recommend.

have a look on their website for approved hardware.

while it may work on unlisted setups, they are without doubt the single fussiest manufacturer in the universe. FACT


unless you're hellbent on a pc setup, it sounds to me like a standalone digital recorder might be the tool for you?

maybe like a digital 8 track or something? that way, it's designed with one job in mind and it's going to be able to do it without tweaking.

i guess latency isn't going to be an issue either, for the above reason?


also, beyond that, you're going to need monitor speakers and or headphones, mics, stands, leads, etc etc, but i guess we'll talk about that later on.
does that help?

 

[moresound]

LLB.....Had you tried Reaper as your DAW?
And as Maroo stated this is just the beginning.
One step at a time.......

 

[moresound]

And I'm sorry to hear about your low IQ ans ADD.

Welcome to the forum! New guy purchases the refreshments.

 

[Dogbreath]

And I'm sorry to hear about your low IQ ans ADD.

Welcome to the forum! New guy purchases the refreshments.

Diet beer for me.
Gotta watch my girlish figure.


And don't worry about the low IQ. I found out that if ya hang around smart people long enough, you can bring their IQ down.

 

[Steenamaroo]

that's why i steer clear of drummers!

*OH NO HE DIDN'T!"

 

[TimOBrien]

As to "what PC should I buy", I highly suggest that you look at the companies that make audio PCs for a living. They know what WORKS and what won't have their customers coming after their heads with pitchforks to get their money back. www.adkproaudio.com is one, you can Google others. See what hardware they suggest and at least try to match it; you may find out that their prices really aren't that bad...

As to the rest:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, 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:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $16
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recordin...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273169612&sr=1-1

PC Recording Studios for Dummies - $16
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Stu...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273169612&sr=1-2
(Wish I'd had those when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Home Recording for Beginners by Geoffrey Francis
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recording-Beginners-Geoffrey-Francis/dp/1598638815

When you get a bit into it, I highly recomend The Art of Mixing by David Gibson
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Mixing-Recording-Engineering-Production/dp/1931140456

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

Guitar Amp Recording: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug07/articles/guitaramprecording.htm

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

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

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and user-tested suggestions that work: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)

Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:
Sony ACID Xpress 10-track sequencer: http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
(It's $60 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages...
http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[leadlungbetty]

What's reaper?

I looked at some companies that a friend suggested that has PCs already set up for this and I can't afford them. They're nearly $3000.

I know some people, even the guy I go to where I track out my songs, that use Hewlett Packards, eMachines and other "regular" PC's. When I've asked what they do I got various answer like upgrade soundcard or use an MBOX; which helps but not really because I don't even know what's going on inside the PC. Most want discuss it, it's like ****TOP SECRET**** or something?!?! sheesh?!?!

An example is my friend Nick who has a regular HP computer. The question is what to buy.


I'm set on using a PC, period. Thanks for all your other suggestions too.

Also, this doesn't have to be AWESOME like I don't need a studio. I need to track out the song, and lay decent reference vocals... that's it. The songs aren't being published as is. It wouldn't hurt if they came out great but my needs are low.

p.s.

I'm a girl.

 

[Dogbreath]

reaper...
http://www.reaper.fm/download.php

One of the links I found when googling. I don't use a comblunder but I've done some research and when I gotta go the computer route, this looks like the program I'll go with...

"I'm a girl."....
That makes us kind of kindred spirits...
I used to be one.

 

[leadlungbetty]

"I'm a girl."....
That makes us kind of kindred spirits...
I used to be one.

 

[leadlungbetty]

Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:
Sony ACID Xpress 10-track sequencer: http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
(It's $60 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages...
http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

I have tried some of these but always have that latency issue. My computer I put it on at the time was really fast too! Intel Dual Core, 8GB Ram, fast processor and good power supply... but I guess what sucked was the soundcard lol.

I read on another forum maybe I could buy a regular desktop then just upgrade the soundcard?

 

[moresound]

What's reaper?

p.s.

I'm a girl.

A GIRL!....Hi there. .....................Just a little joking.

Reaper is a FREE download and once you feel that it's the one for you then you can pay for it. And it's well under $100. Plus I don't think that I've heard of anyone having latency problems while using it.

PS.. LLB.. be sure to stay upwind of Dogbreath!............

 

[Dogbreath]

PS.. LLB.. be sure to stay upwind of Dogbreath!............

skooz me.

 

[moresound]

skooz me.

Quick! Everyone run!

Hey DB how are you today?

 

[Dogbreath]

Quick! Everyone run!

Hey DB how are you today?

Other than the chronic halitosis, the flies buzzin around my ass, pungent body odor, foot fungus and toe jam...I'm doin great!

How boutchoo?

 

[moresound]

Other than the chronic halitosis, the flies buzzin around my ass, pungent body odor, foot fungus and toe jam...I'm doin great!

How boutchoo?

Great,Great..........except for the fact that I got into a (small) car accident a few days ago. ca - ca poo - poo.
Busy as all heck with live sound, the studio and life in general.

Be safe man......I didn't know you were once a girl?

 

[Dogbreath]

Great,Great..........except for the fact that I got into a (small) car accident a few days ago. ca - ca poo - poo.
Busy as all heck with live sound, the studio and life in general.

Be safe man......I didn't know you were once a girl?

I was pretty cute too.
Even with the goatee.

 

[moresound]

I was pretty cute too.
Even with the goatee.

Yup girls and goatees...~ ~ OO LA LA ~ ~

 

[Chili]

Hey LLB, just want to point out that most audio interfaces come with some form of popular DAW software, like Cubase LE, Sonar LE, etc. These programs are lite versions of the originals but still very capable and can do most everything anyone would ask. Be sure to look for that when shopping for an interface.

An interface sounds like the thing you might need. But first, we need to know what you plan to record?? Vocals and the Motif are a given, but what else? Guitars, bass?? In most cases, a 2 channel interface is most people need if they are one-man band'ing it. Or in your case, one-woman band'ing it.

You're on a computer right now and if it's anything recent, it's probably good enough to do what you need.

Sad to say, but there is a learning curve and it is STEEP. The references Tim O gave are great, especially the Tweak guide. We need one of those at this site!! First thing to do is start reading, lots to learn and it's best to understand the basics before you spend money. Most people, me included, wasted tons of cash on gear that didn't solve their needs because they didn't really know what they were looking for.

good luck, have fun and welcome to the site.

 

[LDS]

If you're familiar with Cool Eidt, you may want to look at Adobe Auditon. It's like Cool Edit but much better.