newbie doin' research

  • Thread starter Thread starter mayberry
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mayberry

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I don't get to this board as often as I'd like, so my questions have likely been done to death and I've missed the responses. But here goes: I'm an (occasionally) performing singer-songwriter who'd like to record a few of the songs I've written. I play guitar, banjo, dulcimer, autoharp, and sing. I've been doing some research into stand-alone digital multitracker and also straight computer recording, as well as combinations. I have a PIII 400meg Gateway with 288meg RAM, 13gig HD, CD burner and Zip drive. For mikes I use a Shure SM58, AudioTechnica ATM11 (electret condenser), and have a Nady StarPower SP1. (You guys always seem to ask for this type info). I'd like to be able to record a song, add a few more instruments and vocals, burn it to a CD that sounds--well, better than tape and doesn't truly suck. Part of my problem is that I don't have a sound card--it's built into the motherboard--so no input capabilities. I've been looking at the Zoom 1044 (not many replies on earlier posts), a Roland 3100/soundcard combo, the Tascam USB based controller (heard some bad stuff on that) and far too much other stuff. The sales brochures are all glossy, no help. With a limited budget and no close places to demo/compare I figured I'd stop lurking and ask if you experts could provide some advice. I'd really appreciate it....

Thanks--
 
Well, I'm no expert but you should look at the SoundBlaster Live! Value card. I bought mine for around $50. Then get some software such as Power Tracks for around $30 or n-track for around $40. You'll also need a mixer or microphone pre-amp to record vocals. Don't use the microphone input on any computer sound card.

If you're intimidated by computer hardware, get an external hard-disk based unit (more bucks, more portable). Sorry, I can't recommend anything there since I use either my computer or a Tascam 414.

Good luck with your project.
 
even though your soundcard is built into the motherboard you should have input capabilities......im pretty sure you do......
 
Just getting into hard disk recording myself. Purchased the Roland Studio Pack. VM-3100Pro. Software it comes with has a fairly steep learning curve, but is good enough for the project you are looking to do.
 
Craig--Thanks for the info. I've been checking out the Roland system a bit. I agree, it seems to have all I need. I've heard fron various groups that Roland has a steep learning curve--I'm willing to give it a shot though. How does it sound? Doesn't it have MicPre's built in?

Gidge--Back of my unit only has an output jack. Truth! My son, a computer science graduate, felt that it was MOBO only and that CD's would require "stripping" (something like that) to play through the system. He also assumes that we can disable it if we need to add a sound card. I hope so. The only other option I can think of would be to go USB, which loses the Roland idea. Thanks for the input, folks!
 
i perplexed why Gateway would do that on a fairly recent system...what model is it?

are you saying you CANT play a CD on your computers CD Crom drive?....

anyway, i wont assume that you have free PCI slots but if you do a cheap SoundBlaster Live will do you well...id pass on USB unless it is your only option....
 
The computer will play CD's (just tried it a day ago.) But still, only one (output) connection I can find. I figure I'll need a soundcard and I'll disable the MOBO one if it becomes a problem. I'm looking more towards computer recording so I can play with effects (e.g. make the dulcimer sound like bagpipes, add percussion) generally just have fun with virtual tracks.

I'll look into the suggested Soundblaster-- any other recommendations?

Thanks
Chris
 
I use the Roland Studio Pack.

The Roland system will be the best bang for the buck if you can figure out the mixer and software. The mixer works great for live playing also.

You will be able to record up to 8 mics at one time. You can also plug your guitar in direct. The Pre's sound good with condensors but they are a little noisy with dynamics (SM58). The reverbs and delays are exellent.

With the Roland system and a good large condensor you will have most of the bases covered for very high quality recording.

You will probably need another HD though. I would recomend a 60gig 7200rpm. They have them at Fry's Electronics for $130.

You could have EVERYTHING you need for about a grand.
 
Thanks, Tex, and everyone else. I've been considering a bigger HD. Having started with computers back in the dinosaur days of the Commodore 64, the idea of needing a 60 GIG hard drive makes me feel old. The fact that they're available for under $200 amazes me. I'm still looking into the Roland setup, so thanks again for the info. Any other help is always appreciated...
 
Hi if ur intrested in recording via a computer then I wouldnt really go PC! I used to use a PC and thought that PC's were the best thing money could buy but then u will use a Mac and realise how far behind PC's are from mac's for recording needs! The Macs will work alot faster and the porgrammes will run better plus u dont have to upgrade all the time cos u cant! Macs are the ultimate tool for recording! U can run a iMac for recording purposes that will owrk very well!
If u dont go the PC route then I would either go with the Roland stand alone recording or Mac! Check out www.cancomuk.com for really cheap deals on refurbished Mac's they are so very cheap and so good!
Remeber u wil still have more expenses for which ever set up u for! U will need to buy speakers and a amp so u can moitor well and a decent set of head fones is advisable!
 
I've heard good and bad about Macs--Those that love them are equally as passionate as those that hate them. Since I have a PC, I'll probably stick with it and spend the extra money on mixers/soundcards/speakers/etc. Nice web site you mentioned, but I don't live in the UK, so the electricity is different (even the plugs.) When I did live in Scotland a few years back, changing everything was more trouble than it was worth.

But thanks!
 
If you do buy another sound card to use for recording I would recommend disabling the onboard one through the computer BIOS. This will eliminate any potential resource conflicts and other anomalous problems.

-b
 
Disabling in BIOS is good advice! I also plan to check if there's a hardware disable. Between the two, with help from my son the computer guru (he'll probably do all the work--his dad has gotten pretty dumb in his old age, and is not much help. He'd rather I not even look over his shoulder...), I'll probably get it done. Thanks Group! All your insight/info is invaluable!
 
Mayberry,

I'm also new at this stuff, and the first thing I looked at when I was doing my research was the sound card. I finally decided on the Echo MIA $199, which turns out to be a pretty nice card (two inputs/two outputs plus digital in/outs). I figured there was going to be a learning curve with any software program that I chose so I went with something that would handle audio and midi recording. I chose Powertracks $29, which is not that hard to understand, and is a great learning tool. I added a small Behringer mixer $99, to input more than one thing if I wanted to and to monitor my output. That has been my set up 'til now, and I'm ok with it. I will upgrade in the future for sure but for now it lets me get my ideas in many more tracks that I could with my old 4-track and with much better quality. You can always add effects to yuor mixes, which you can download for free from the internet and if that card that you have in your computer is a Soundblaster, heck! you can even use soundfonts. My total investment, less than $350. Good Luck, and have fun!

My $.02
 
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