Information request / help

[phreak]

Hi,

I am what you might call completly clueless as to anything audio related. for the purpose of this thread assume I know what a computer, guitar, mic and keyboard are but nothing more (sadly thats the extent of my knowledge).

With that in mind I would like to eventually setup a home studio. I love music and have been writing songs my whole life. In my head I hear the completed song but until now have no way to put them into a format others can hear. People say my lyrics are great. But, unless there is music behind them they are nothing more than a poem.

My question is where can I find information on what all of these devices, applications, connections etc, and how they actually work? For example I have heard of a mixer but I have little understanding of what it is or what hooks into it. Is there an online course I can take or a website that walks you through all of this starting from instrument, through cables, connections etc all the way through compilation and playback?

I am very technically minded so to speak and usually pick up things quickly but truthfully reading through some of this stuff is overwhealming. Any information or links on where to go or what to look for would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[maestro_dmc]

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

 

[XLR]

Yeah, read the tweakhead guide.

Also a lot can be learned by downloading the freeware apps Kristal and Audacity, reading their simple manuals and tinkering with them to learn a little about signal routing, audio files and editing. For instance, the mixer in Kristal is similar to the simplest hardware mixers in many ways so what you'd learn about controling levels, panning and such would carry over to hardware also.

Tim

 

[phreak]

Great! Thanks for the info I'll do some reading tonight! I have downloaded the apps also and will give them a shot after reading up on the tweakhead guide. Hopefully this will get me started in a forward moving direction.

Thanks again!