New to computer recording

[slkeen]

I have recently gotten the bug to try recording on my computer - PII 300, 192mg RAM, 30GIg hard drive. My machine has a Yamaha OPL type sound card. I don't know anything about sound cards - is this any good for recording? I've been checking on this BBS and it seems most folks have a SB or better card. I have some experience with Tascam portastudios but I want to get into digital recording. Is there any way to use my 424 portastudio and my computer together? I'm prepared to upgrade my sound card - is there such a thing as a low cost quality sound card with stereo 1/4" RCA inputs? Any ideas or suggestions on a way use analog and digital together will be appreciated.

 

[Gidge]

That soundcard will do fine to get your feet wet...and the 4 track could probably be used as preamps if youre using mics....get you some software, start recording, and ask lots of questions here...read up as much as you can in homerecording mags, websites, etc....have fun...

 

[slkeen]

OK - so my sound card will do for now - but is it possible to record stereo tracks from my portastudio through it? I play acoustic guitar with a pickup and preamp installed - I also have a keyboard with MIDI outputs. I don't really know about all the interface issues involved here. Here are my questions -

1 Where do I find an adapter to plug my MIDI out into the sound card? I read some where here that the MIDI in for the sound card is in the joystick port. Is that right? Do I need a MIDI to joystick adapter or cable to get my keyboard into the soundcard?

2 Can I plug my guitar into the line in on the sound card? That looks like a very small hole for a guitar - do I just use an adapter to go from 1/4" to 1/8"?

3 I'm assuming the line in on the sound card is mono or only one channel - is that right? Is there a way to get a stereo signal into the sound card? It seems these sound cards are designed to get sound out - not put sound in. Are there affordable sound cards with stereo L / R inputs?

I enjoy the simplicity of portastudios and the ease of recording, but the limited tracks and loss of quality during mixing and mix down are frustrating. Thanks for reading this - I've been messing around with music and recording for about 20 years and I think its time to check out some new toys!

 

[slkeen]

Sorry to clutter up the BBS, I've been up all night reading this site and found all the answers to my questions in previous postings. Hey - I'm new here so I didn't realize just how much info there is here. Thanks to all the folks who helped me out without even knowing it!! God Bless this Mess or whatever.

 

[NLAlston]

Slkeen,

You haven't cluttered up anything, and don't even think like that. If you don't know - you ask. This is one of the ways that we learn; that we gain in knowledge. You will find (just as I have) that the vast majority of members here are more than willing to answer your questions, and help you toward your goals. I am happy that you were able to be steered in the direction that you needed to go, and I wish you the very best in your endeavors.

HAVE FUN!!!

NLA