Newbie in need of direction.

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mate112

New member
First of all hello, as this is my first post.

I have read through posts on these forums and found some useful information.
I want to record vocals on a PC. I'll be using Reaper (as recommended by one of the posters). I still havent decided on the mic but that shouldnt be too hard to research.
Alot of people recomend getting an interface for home recordings. Do I really need one or can I pull it off with mic/headphones plugged into my soundcard?
I currently have an integrated card, is it going to work at all or will i have to purchase a new one?

P.S.
Two days ago I havent had a slightest idea where to even start researching about this so any tips and recommendations are very welcome.

Thank you.
 
I too have an integrated sound card (16-bit); it works, but I wouldn't mind upgrading to something better someday. I have a mixer plugged into the line-in jack on the card. I've heard that plugging a mic into the mic input on a computer is not a good idea for recording, and in my own experience (albeit many years ago, when I was even more of an amateur than I am now) this seems to be true. I hope you find what works for you, and keep looking at the resources on this site, because I've been on here for less than a year and I've learned a lot so far.
 
mate112 said:
First of all hello, as this is my first post.

I have read through posts on these forums and found some useful information.
I want to record vocals on a PC. I'll be using Reaper (as recommended by one of the posters). I still havent decided on the mic but that shouldnt be too hard to research.
Alot of people recomend getting an interface for home recordings. Do I really need one or can I pull it off with mic/headphones plugged into my soundcard?
I currently have an integrated card, is it going to work at all or will i have to purchase a new one?

P.S.
Two days ago I havent had a slightest idea where to even start researching about this so any tips and recommendations are very welcome.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

It depends on your budget. I would recommend a fast track pro and a condenser usb mic.

____________________
BlackandWhiteStudios
www.blackandwhitestudioecords.co.uk
 
If you get the Fast Track Pro, then you don't need the USB mic. Get regular condensor mic or a reputable dynamic. There's lots of suggestions here in the forums, just do a little bit of reading. You'll find what best suits your needs.

So does the fast track replace the sound card? And then all I do is plug in the mic and headphones and its all good to go?
Click to expand...


Yes, the Fast Track will replace your soundcard. Yes, plug your mic and headphones and have fun. Is it all good to go??? Hmmm, depends on what end result you are looking for. Just recording vocals, sure, you're good to go. Looking for some decent quality. Might need to spend some time learning, practicing, room treatment, monitors, etc...

I see you did some reading already, so you probably know it's a steep learning curve. Fun... but steep.

Welcome to the site.
 
My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470385421
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and user-tested suggestions that work: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)
Another good article: Choosing an audio interface - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/audiointerfaces.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Sony ACID Express (free 10-track sequencer): http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

'Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he'll eat forever...'
 
TimOBrien said:
My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time)
Click to expand...

Thanks, I came across this post when I was reading earlier.

I dont have too much experience with the recording software, but the reaper looks like I could figure it out.

I'll order one of those books asap and start reading as well. The Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies looks like a good source of info. It will cover vocals as well right? Not instrument recording only?
 
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