New-I want to record with an old computer

[Steve3o]

Hey! I'm new here.
I want to set up my own room recording (personal use).
I don't care for anything fancy, just something that sounds 'alright'.
I just bought a new Shure SM57 and need to work around that... That and my old computer. I had this old computer lying around so I decided to haul it to my room and record with it.
Now, my question is... what else would I need? How can I use this mic to record to my computer? I'm not a total dummy and have some money to spend. Maybe about $300 or so.
How can I get a recording onto my old computer (which doesn't have a USB port).

Any info/tips would be appreciated!!

 

[The REAL Jigsaw]

An audio interface will get you going. I recently bought a Focusrite Saffire Audio Interface, but that uses firewire.

If you're in the states, check either zzound, musician's friend, or sweetwater. If you're in canada, check lamusic (this is where I bought my stuff). Hope this help.

Here's the links

http://www.sweetwater.com/
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/
http://www.lamusic.ca/

You'll also need something to output it to. Either monitors and/or headphones. I'm using headphones for the moment (it's cheaper).


Oh yeah, and of course you'll need recording/mixing software.

 

[Steve3o]

I do have headphones (though not the best, but will do) and I also have Audacity. I have Cubase on my other computer, but I doubt it would run well on my old computer. So Audacity will have to do.

I am located in Canada so thanks for the links. However, can I get a explanation of what a audio interface is exactly? I also searched 'audio interface' on LaMusic and the ones the came up seem to require a USB/Firewire

Would/could a mixer work the same way? Something cheap like a Behringer XENYX 802?

 

[danny.guitar]

An audio interface is a sound card.

It is responsible for recording music into your computer and also playing sound back through your monitors.

If all you have is an SM57, then you will at least need a preamp. The signal from the microphone (especially an SM57) is too weak to record straight into a computer. So you need a preamp (preamplifier) to amplify that signal before it goes to your computer.

The SM57 needs a lot of gain/amplification. So what you need is a good preamp with plenty of gain and also one that is quiet so you don't get a bunch of noise. The best one in your budget is the M-Audio DMP3. Very quiet, lots of gain, and good quality. I use one of these myself. They go for $160 new:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-DMP3-2Channel-Mic-PreDirect-Box?sku=241101

Now you need a sound card to record into. Does your computer have one built in? Most built-in sound cards are not ideal for recording, but they will work. After buying the DMP3 and some cables, it may not leave you much for a sound card.

The important thing is, when choosing a sound card, is to make sure you will be able to hook up your headphones and speakers to it. I use the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96. This is a great card and only costs $100.

But since I use normal computer speakers, hooking it up required a few different kinds of cables and adapters. And I also had to buy a separate piece of equipment to hook my speakers into it and also my headphones. I bought the Presonus HP4 Headphone Amp.

Those 3 things equal about $360 which is over your budget, and doesn't include the few cables & adapters you would need. But it is a great setup and you can get good sounding recordings with it.



If you can't afford an interface, then you may just want to stick with your current built-in sound card for now. All you would need is a couple cables to hook everything up:

SM57 -> DMP3 -> Sound card, or more detailed:

Shure SM57 microphone -> XLR inputs on back of DMP3 -> 1/4" (guitar) cable from back of DMP3 -> 1/4" to 1/8" adapter on end of guitar cable -> Line-In jack on your sound card.

The 1/4" to 1/8" adapter costs about $2-$3 at Radio Shack. It snaps on the end of the cable so it will fit into your sound card.

Sorry for the long post, hope this helps a little.

 

[Steve3o]

I do have a sound card.. not too sure how good it is. I have recorded in the past with a cheap $15 computer mic and it seems to come out nicely.

But, if I were to buy the DMP3 and a few cables I could start recording using the SM57?
A few questions.
How does the DMP3 hook up to the computer?
How much better will the recordings be with a better sound card?

As well, can you confirm the way the DMP3 works? Do I plug the XLR cable into the back of the DMP3 .. and then.. have a line out cord? That uses a 1/4" cable which I have attached to a 1/8" adapter? And then into where I normally plug my computer mic?

Thanks again for your guys replies! Been very helpful so far.

 

[danny.guitar]

I do have a sound card.. not too sure how good it is. I have recorded in the past with a cheap $15 computer mic and it seems to come out nicely.

But, if I were to buy the DMP3 and a few cables I could start recording using the SM57?

Yes.

How does the DMP3 hook up to the computer?

There is a 1/4" output on the back. You plug in one end of a standard guitar cable to this jack, and the other end to your sound card. The 1/4" to 1/8" adapter is so the other end will fit into your sound card.

How much better will the recordings be with a better sound card?

For me, there was less noise and it seemed to have more clarity. There isn't a night and day difference though.

As well, can you confirm the way the DMP3 works? Do I plug the XLR cable into the back of the DMP3 .. and then.. have a line out cord? That uses a 1/4" cable which I have attached to a 1/8" adapter? And then into where I normally plug my computer mic?

Yes.

 

[Dani Pace]

You will get a better sound by plugging the preamp output to the line in on your soundcard. Often when using a preamp you will get lots of distortion if you use the mic input on the soundcard. If your computer is really old you may want to add a bigger RAM card, this will help with and latency (lag) problems and speed up the computer over all. If you have a latency problem with Audacity (when adding tracks) you can lower the playback volume (set it to 2 or 3) and this will usualy help. I hope this helps you out a little.

 

[Steve3o]

You will get a better sound by plugging the preamp output to the line in on your soundcard. Often when using a preamp you will get lots of distortion if you use the mic input on the soundcard. If your computer is really old you may want to add a bigger RAM card, this will help with and latency (lag) problems and speed up the computer over all. If you have a latency problem with Audacity (when adding tracks) you can lower the playback volume (set it to 2 or 3) and this will usualy help. I hope this helps you out a little.

Where exactly would the line-in on my soundcard be located? Near the mic input by chance?

You've all been very helpful btw.

 

[blazingstrings]

Generally yes the line input is next to the mic input has a symbol that looks kind of like this (( <-))-- .....

What vintage would your computer be(Processor, ram ect)....?

Also look into Reaper, its better if you wish to multi track.
Its un expiring shareware..... http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

See if that would work well, I have used a Behringer 502/802 on a line in of a PC for some fair results....

Worse come to worse call a local recycling center and see if they have any faster machines for dirt cheap. I have got great deals that way.

 

[Steve3o]

Beside the mic input is the headphone jack.. though once I get it, I will try the different inputs. Since its just me recording, I won't need to multi track.

As for the computer... I think the ram is 128megs... Processor.. possibly 300mhz... ?
Not too sure at all.

 

[rayc]

Cakewalk pro audio will run quite nicely on the vague description of your computer. I ran it very successfully on a P3 with 128. You will need a reasonably large harddrive for any audio work though.
Get a reasonable soundcard though - you could get away with a s/blaster audigy or similar for a while but you can buy reasonable dedicated cards 2nd hand & on ebay for a small outlay.

 

[danny.guitar]

Where exactly would the line-in on my soundcard be located? Near the mic input by chance?

You've all been very helpful btw.

A lot of stock soundcards share the same jack for both mic in and line-in. It's just a matter of choosing which one through the Windows Volume Mixer thing.

Start -> Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices -> Device Volume -> Advanced

When the window opens, go to: Options -> Properties -> Recording. Check all the boxes in the list and click OK. Then check the box under "Line In".

And as rayc said, a stock soundcard will work for awhile, and most of us started on them, but you will want to upgrade eventually.

 

[crispin]

If it's too old, you may have problems with newer software - but there's plently of free recording programs which you can find if you look around a bit, such as Audacity.
Cheers

 

[blazingstrings]

Beside the mic input is the headphone jack.. though once I get it, I will try the different inputs. Since its just me recording, I won't need to multi track.

As for the computer... I think the ram is 128megs... Processor.. possibly 300mhz... ?
Not too sure at all.

I'm not sure that you know what multi track means....... Are you planning to record your guitar and voice at the same time or would you want to play guitar and then record a vocal, etc? Just want to clarify to be more helpful.....

 

[Steve3o]

I would probably record each one seperately. Like, record guitar and then record vocals, etc. On a different take.

Anyways, so far I have the Shure SM57 and the M-Audio DMP3 coming (bought online). Once I get that and test out the sound quality... I will then decide if I want to spend some more on a new sound card.

That makes me think of a question.
If I bought a new sound card, how would I go about installing it?

Thanks again!!

 

[danny.guitar]

I would probably record each one seperately. Like, record guitar and then record vocals, etc. On a different take.

Anyways, so far I have the Shure SM57 and the M-Audio DMP3 coming (bought online). Once I get that and test out the sound quality... I will then decide if I want to spend some more on a new sound card.

That makes me think of a question.
If I bought a new sound card, how would I go about installing it?

Thanks again!!

If it's PCI like the 24/96, you open your computer case, and pop it into an open PCI slot. They look like this:
http://www.hothardware.com/reviews/images/tualatin/pci_slot.jpg

 

[blazingstrings]

I would probably record each one seperately. Like, record guitar and then record vocals, etc. On a different take.

Thanks again!!

That is "Multi tracking"!

UGH......

 

[noisedude]

It's worth mentioning that Reaper is a tiny download, runs great on older computers and is free to try, peanuts to buy ......

http://reaper.fm

 

[blazingstrings]

My point exactly.

 

[noisedude]

My point exactly.

I'm so sorry - I totally missed your post suggesting it! My bad.