Looking for how to get started

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paries

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Hello,
I have a couple of questions.
My son wants to record at home using his PC
I have seen a number of virtual sound boards.
He sings and plays acoustic guitar and maybe a second singer
So should i try to find a used 8 or 16 mixing board.
Is there a way to do this with software only? the part i am not sure how to do is if i get the virtual mixer, what hardware do i buy for the inputs

Thanks for anyhelp or direction on how to start.
 
hi,

first up, all respect to you for trying to help your son out. my parents were behind me too and it always helps.

I am also just starting and I do the same kind of thing as your son it sounds like. Anyways, it all depends on your specific requirements, but as far as I've gathered there are a few basics.

First up, you need a decent microphone. There's a whole section on this on this site, and you can usually pick up a cheap one on ebay if you look.

Once you have that, you also need (and it took me a while to discover this) a pre-amp to amplify the mic signal up to "line level" (the line input at the back of your computer needs a louder singal than the mic alone will put out, so you neeeed this). You can get a single pre amp, or a mixer, which will allow you the ability to record more than one audio signal at a time (ie. guitar and vocals). Otherwise you can just record one instrument/singal (eg. guitar), and then overdub another signal (eg. vocals), one at a time, until you have - a song. Again, these things can usually be grabbed of ebay cheaply.

As far as software goes, probably the best one to start with is Cool Edit Pro. You can download a demo of this from the internet and test it out, as with most programs. Again there is a list of software applications on this site, but I find Cool Edit the easiest and most user-friendly of all the options - pretty much just hit record and go, like a tape recorder.

And then you're pretty much ready to go to start with. Of course there is more you can do, but like I say it depends on your options, and where you want to take things in the future.

So yeah, that's what I know - if I've missed anything or misinformed in any way, anyone feel free to correct me, but otherwise cool cool.

good luck (you will need it)
 
Just to be clear, Cool Edit Pro is now owned by Adobe and has been re-named Adobe Audition.
 
yeah

im 14 years old and i play drums guitar bass and sing i have three decent mics one of them is an sm-57 i use a tascam 424mkIII and i record my drums live with one mic............ if ur son wants to record this way it can also help but witha pc setup u get moore vareity to do things. later
 
There are at least 3 ways you can go:

1. All PC based using multi-input sound cards and microphones
2. Standalone digital recorder
3. Hybrid mix of a standalone recorder and PC

In any event you are going to need 2-3 good microphones, one for each vocalist, and one for the acoustic guitar.

For cases where there aren’t many performers, option 3 can be a good one. You can do the recording just about anywhere and then use the PC to mix the result and burn CDs for the result.

Ed
 
Sincce you already own a computer, all you need is a mixer, a good soundcard, mics and preferably a pair of monitor spearkers. Lot of guys in the forum record using M-Audio2496 audiophile soundcard which is a great choice, you can get the mixer of your choice, same with mics. You will be set to go.
 
Thanks these are some great tips.
Do most of you mix before the PC?
I was wondering why more don't mix at the PC. Is there hardware that allows you to mix in the PC?
One other question, is anything special for Laptops?
Thanks again
 
I think most people that use a computer to record do mix on the PC. A mixer has other uses -- bringing signals together from many sources and allowing flexible routing of these signals, and providing preamps and phantom power for microphones. Depending on your number of sources and the kind of thing you're going to be recording, you can live without one or use a single-channel preamp to use with a mic...
 
paries said:
One other question, is anything special for Laptops?
Click to expand...
If you're using and interface then laptops aren't like PC's because they don't have PCI slots. However, that is why they make USB and firewire interfaces. Also, a laptop allows you to do more "mobile" recording. This is why I use a laptop in my recording rig.
 
If your son is going to be recording on a laptop, then you will need a USB or Firewire based soundcard. Pick your poison. I have heard less complaints about firewire soundcards, but not all laptops have firewire. If that's the case, then you are pretty much limited to a USB soundcard.

With that in mind, you will need to KNOW how many "Ins" your son will need at any given time. It comes down to, how many different things are going to be "played" or sung at a given time during recording. If he is only going to "one-man-band" it, like most of us I'd guess :) , then he may only need 1, 2 or maybe 3 "ins". I am good with only 1 in myself. I play my guit and record it, then I sing and record it, then the Bass etc. etc. All this is tracked and recorded in a software-based mixing board. But, your son may want to play his guitar, mic'd with 2 mics, and sing at the same time. Or maybe he wants to record a drum kit. I don't know. So, in order to pick a USB-based soundcard, you will have to know how many "Ins". Anything from M-Audio is good, IMO. Make sure the soundcard can do at least 24-bit/96,000 Hz. The plus side to this, is that the soundcard/breakout-box will most likely have pre-amps to bring your mics up to line level and phantom power in order to power a condenser mic. MIDI and SPDIF are two other connections to look for. MIDI for sure. These are features I would look for in a soundcard in your situation.

If your USB-based soundcard solution has enough "INS" and pre-amps, and phantom power, I really see no reason for an outboard mixer. Once you have a soundcard that meets all your sons needs, then it'll be time to look into software, then a decent microphone/s. There are many opinions on software and microphones. Once again, it comes down to what you are planning on doing with it. If he has a keyboard, or a drum machine, or is planning on using MIDI, you will need sequencer software. Anything with Sonar from Cakewalk will be useful. You can always go down from there. If he is just going to record audio, the above mentioned Adobe, or N-Tracks are good, inexpensive starter software. Always check Ebay for software first. That's what I do. Or for anything really.

For your microphones, there is an entire forum on this website dedicated to them. Plenty of opinions about what are the best price/performance mics. Think of a dollar amount you plan on spending, then search, or ask. You will get some GREAT opinions from folks actually using, and recording, with the mics they suggest.

Hope that helps.
 
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