Let's build a freakin FAQ!... Step 1...

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Slackmaster2K

Slackmaster2K

Gone
So we've been talking about doing this for a long time....let's just do it already. If it works in this forum then it'll surely work in others.

The first step is coming up with a list of questions, so let's have em. What questions keep popping up over and over...what questions are you absolutely sick of? Only think in terms of computer recording and soundcards, however.

The second step is of course doing some searching and finding good answers to each question. If you're feeling extra spiffy and you know of a good answer to a particular question, feel free to post it now! (just a link is fine for the time being)

The FAQ will be a sticky at the top of the forum, just like this post. It will be completely open to comments, criticism, and correction. The FAQ will contain questions and short answers (with credit given to the original posters), then links to the thread(s) the answer(s) came from.

The purpose of the FAQ is to be able to say, "read the FAQ" instead of "do a search", because it makes people feel dumber ;)

Slackmaster 2000
 
IDE vs. SCSI
PC vs. Mac
What soundcard... maybe a tough one for the faq
Intel vs. AMD
 
All good ones. We could expand the "which soundcard" one up into "which budget soundcard", "which soundcard has the best converters", "which soundcards have X inputs"...that sort of thing...

One that we can't forget:

"How do I hook my mic/guitar up to my soundcard?"

Slackmaster 2000
 
Another one that should be at the top of the faq: "Does partitioning/file system matter for performance"
 
Some of these will be arguable though...we'll have to get all sides. Like I have always argued that partitioning does nothing for audio performance....neither does degragmenting....but some people are just convinced that it helps. :)

Slackmaster 2000
 
No no, non of these will be arguable. The first one to post an "A" to the "Q" wins :D
 
How about adding a section of links to "must read" sites, like ProRec, and articles, like Windows 98/2000/xp optimization for audio, Izotope article on mastering and so on.
People who are just starting have so much to buy. I think links to usable free software and plugins would be helpful too.
 
(I second) What OS do I use?
One or two hard drives in my DAW?
Fat32 or NTFS?
DAW or dedicated system?
How should I arrange / jumper my IDE devices?
 
How about a list of reasons not to come within 10 feet of a soundblaster
 
Slackmaster2K said:
"How do I hook my mic/guitar up to my soundcard?"
Click to expand...
In addition to that:
- Why not to use the mic pre on soundblaster (like) soundcards;
- How to connect anything to those flimsy 1/8'' inputs.
- Typical signal chains for recording and monitoring to bypass latency.

And:
- What can I do to make my computer less noisy.
 
They did this over at Harmony Central and it resides at the top of the recording forum.

See here:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227171

This is a great idea and a yearly survey updates the entire list. It's just a list of what gear everyone found useful and the price ranges. The great thing is it is developed by users and not manufacturers or magazines.

You could put one of these at the top of each forum and all the repeat questions would be reduced.
 
The difference between firewire and USB1.1/2.0

Laptop recording cards
 
I think that links to hardware and software manufacturers would be a good thing as well...especially for those questions like "are there any soundcards with 1/4" inputs?" Heh.

Slackmaster 2000
 
more stuff...

An explanation explaining the differences between ASIO, MME, and WDM drivers, however applicable.







I am a big fan of a section called "Don't buy this F_CKING SHIT!" in the FAQ.







Links to some nice glossaries that are kicking around here.

The age old difference between TRS and mono plugs.

An explanation explaining how to fry your ears by creating a feedback loop between your mixer and soundcard, as well as reasons why this is not recommended.

A small sample diagram explaining the interior parts of the computer (ie WTF is a PCI card, what does it look like, where is it when I open up my computer???) for those who really are new to this. Something to this effect anyhow.

All those plugin links that Slackmaster is hoarding (I would post them but I don't know squat about plug-ins).

Ahh those are a few ideas.
 
this is not a faq, but it can be another idea. You can view all this from the "client" point of view, in the form of a decision path. Like: if you are recording just yourself, this gear. If you record more than 2 inputs, this. If you record acoustic instruments, that. If you want to use inter applications sound, etc...etc...etc...
Andrés
 
That is a good idea...if you or anyone wants to tackle something like that we could definately link to it from the FAQ. This type of information may even already exist....people should definately throw in their favorite links!!

Slackmaster 2000
 
well, I don't know enough to write something like that. But what I'll do is to think about who will read it, who'll be the "user". Like for example, I am a guy who had a band and had some knowledge on computers. So that's one kind of user.
1) computer user and musician
2) musician with no computer skills
3) computer user, but not musician (like an engineer)

So then you have the purpose:
1) solo recording project
2) my band recording project
3) other people's music recording project
This one is pretty common. Many people buy a card to find that they have no pres. So then they learn about pres, and DI boxes, and then mics. Which takes me to another cassification:

The nature of the source:
Drums, ac. guitar, horns, perc, vox: that leads you to the mic/pre route.
Electric guitar, bass: micing cabinets, DIing, impedance matches, etc...
Line Level instruments: synths, drum machines, computers themselves.

I'd like to contribute, maybe it'll be cool to think a little about how to design this kind of matrix/decision tree thing.
Andrés
 
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