how to record???

[hanamichi1011]

this is kind of a dumb question but i really dont know how to record me singing

i want to record my voice in the computer, i dont want to go to studio because my parents wouldn't let me go

only way i could do is record onto my computer, i want to make a CD to an audition, i need helps, whoever can help me please help me

i want to record my voice with the background music
oh there is another thing i use the recorder in the computer just 60 sec, and when i relisten to what i just sang, it's not my voice, it's not what i sound like

is there any programs to record, or to record my voice clearly.

( hope you guys understand what i just wrote, my ENGLISH sucks)

 

[mellotron]

A very simple solution would be to download Audacity for free, buy a cheap mic, import the song, set Audacity to play while record, then just record your vocals, then export it again.

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

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 - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs

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

Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.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

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
(It's $40 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($20) 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 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're giving away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[Shadow_7]

You're probably using a computer condensor mic. Which doesn't sound like the original sound source. And probably never will. Even the cheap electret computer mics won't be transparent. They can be pretty good, but not transparent.

Audacity is an application that will help you record while playing something else, for FREE. Although on cheap onboard soundcards it is likely that you'll have issues with even doing that. Not all soundcards are capable of true full duplex.


The route I've gone is as follows:
Computer + Delta 44 + DMP3 + AT4033a

Computer -> Soundcard -> Microphone Preamp -> Microphone

I doubt you'll want to go this route. Even with most of the above being bought used, it was over $500 for the stuff (not including the computer). Which is actually pretty good considering that a good Preamp can cost several thousand, and a good Mic over a thousand. And you'll still end up with something that probably doesn't sound like you. Or at least what you think you sound like.

There are many interfaces that combine the soundcard and preamp into one unit. Not always high end, but useable in most cases. But you're still looking at several hundred going that route.

You could rent gear from a studio, which is probably your best bet for now. If they wont let you go to a studio, perhaps they can bring it to you in some small way. If you're not planning on building your own studio, then renting is probably your best bet.

I went the way I did because I use my recorded self to analyze my progress and help myself improve. And it's cool to record other things and not have it sound like you got it off a cheap cell phone.

 

[DAS19]

whats that maudio preamp the buddy? or something. Its very good for connecting your mics to just to give it amplification. you can buy a mic use the preamp and then into your sound card and into audacity. that will be your cheapest way to achieve semi decent vocal recordings.

 

[hairylarry]

Like he said

Hi,

The DMP3 is not the same as an Audio Buddy. They are made by the same company but the DMP3 is the superior piece of equipment.

I always recommend the DMP3 for someone in your position, needing to get one or two mics into your computer. Even if you go bigger in the future you will still use your DMP3.

Your computer probably already has a sound card so you can use the line in on it from a DMP3. You will need to build a special Y cable with an 1/8 inch mini stereo Ying out to two 1/4 inch phone plugs.

The DMP3 works well with any mic, condensor or dynamic. What kind of mic do you have now? Is it one that came with your computer or something else?

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[Shadow_7]

All you really need is a mic and audacity. If it's just an audition for ALL STATE or some other local Honor Band, that should be good enough for them. Maybe not for you, but for them. If it's an audition for some elite college or an effort to get a recording label or something, you'll probably want/need better gear.

I suppose that if you don't need the quality and ability to mix / master the recording, you could sing into a voice recorder for fair results. It's a lot easier to convince the parental units to pop for a $50 to $150 gadget, rather than $500 to $5,000 in studio gear. Plus you can get voice recorders off the shelf in most department, office, or electronic stores. Many of which give you the option to import into your computer so you can burn a CD. Since many auditioners no longer deal with tapes.

My mobile rig of sorts is as follows:

Laptop + Mobile Pre + AT4033a

Still a bit costly if you need to acquire all of that gear. But I already had the laptop (<$400 walmart special). I got the Mobile Pre used ($80 craigslist). And the mic used ($200 craigslist). But still needed a new USB cable for the mobile pre ($15), and an XLR cable for the mic ($25), plus a mic stand($25). And I'm still looking for a different mic better suited to the type of things I record.

The mobile rig is not nearly as nice sounding as the DMP3 route. But acceptable for the most part in terms of capturing group rehearsals and such. Plenty of gain and minimal cordage. It sounds loads better than the onboard soundcard of the laptop, but I wouldn't exactly call it studio quality. The capture is clean with a low noise ratio and all. It just sounds like you've got the mic under a sock or farther away than it actually is. But still better sounding than most are used to with a voice recorder.

You could also video tape yourself. And extract just the audio portion from that. Most video cameras seem to have decent audio. A lot better sounding than most computer mics. And it might be something you already have access to. Just some options available to you. Without having to go to, or build/rent your own recording studio.

 

[faderbug]

what microphone are you using?

what kind of soundcard does your computer have?

what is your budget?

what is your location? are you near ho-chi-min or hanoi where you can buy recording gear?