Just Starting

[vcfourthree]

Hi. I'm new here and to home recording. I currently have the Yeti by Blue microphone, a "boom" mic stand, a pop filter, Beats Studio by Dre headphones, Garageband (on my macbook pro), an acoustic guitar. I am in the process of saving up for the Yamaha MOX6 61 key synthesizer, I think it was called, and an audio interface that was suggested to me on yahoo answers. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2 In/2 Out USB Recording Audio Interface

I don't really know how to go about all this though. I've been playing piano for 5 years, guitar for less than 1 and I am in the process of writing my third song, of which I only need the lyrics. So, I sort of want to take it to the next level, and have done some research, but still don't really know what I am doing. I don't know what an audio interface is or what it does. I don't know what the keyboard does other than playing piano and using the sound features to change the instrument that you hear when a key is pressed. I also don't really understand how to use Garage Band. I was hoping for some answers. I would really appreciate it.

 

[vcfourthree]

bump i guess

 

[warartistrecord]

Here's some basic answers:
An audio interface converts the electrical signal from a microphone or instrument cable into a digital signal that the computer can read. For good sounding audio recording on computer, an analog-digital audio interface is a must.
The keyboard you're looking into buying can record directly through usb to the computer. It's also a MIDI controller, so you could use it in Garageband to control any of the software instruments.
I don't use Garageband that much, but I've tinkered around on it because I have a Mac for school. What specifically were you wanting to know how to do in Garageband?

 

[CoolCat]

one question you asked is about the audio interface.

one description is its like a translator to another language.

we hear and talk in analog, this goes into the microphone, through the cable to the "audio interface".

this box translates our human language to the digital language of the computer. (analog to digital conversion/translation)

once its all digital, it zooms back and forth on the usb cable , to and from the "audio interface" and all the technical things going on, you dont have to worry about.

coming back out of the "audio interface" the unit translates the digital language back to analog, (digital to analog conversion/translation) which is what you will hear with your ears.

so you'll see terms like A/D converter (translator) or D/A converter....converting or translating Digital to Analog or Analog to Digital...thats the main purpose of the "audio interface".

Now then theres all the IN's & Outs but that should be explained in your manual.

 

[blinkofeye]

recording a song has 3 stages :
1-recording
2-editing/mixing
3-mastering (somehow !)
and you need to learn about :
how to work with your DAW , virtual instruments , recording formats and rules , vsts , compressors, eqs , reverbs , mixing and ...
there , some topics to start your research and learning process , you can find bunch of useful vidz about those topics on youtube
good luck

 

[vcfourthree]

Here's some basic answers:
An audio interface converts the electrical signal from a microphone or instrument cable into a digital signal that the computer can read. For good sounding audio recording on computer, an analog-digital audio interface is a must.
The keyboard you're looking into buying can record directly through usb to the computer. It's also a MIDI controller, so you could use it in Garageband to control any of the software instruments.
I don't use Garageband that much, but I've tinkered around on it because I have a Mac for school. What specifically were you wanting to know how to do in Garageband?

well, i figured out what i wanted to do actually thanks.
about the audio interface though:
is it necessary to have considering everything i already have? and also, is a soundcard a needed purchase, or does my mac have a sufficient one?

 

[warartistrecord]

well, i figured out what i wanted to do actually thanks.
about the audio interface though:
is it necessary to have considering everything i already have? and also, is a soundcard a needed purchase, or does my mac have a sufficient one?

It depends on what you're doing. If you're wanting to use microphones, you most definitely need an audio interface to get the microphone signal into your DAW. If you're just doing midi recording, you might not need an audio interface. Your mac probably has a sufficient sound card, but unless it has XLR microphone inputs (which a select few do) you wouldn't be able to use a microphone to record.