newbie questions, AKA please excuse my ignorance

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TCUJared

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Ok, I've got a problem. My 4 piece band (2 guitars, bass, drums) needs to record a good sounding song for a demo. The song is really short (under 2 mins probably [a punk rock cover of the Tetris song....]) to go on a comp CD. The only recording stuff we have is:
1 Shure SM57
1 Audio Technica "BITE" amp mic
misc vocal mics (about 2 or 3 other ones)
That really cheap Fostex analog 4 track (1 track simultaneous recording)
2 MZR90 Sony MD walkman that also record
A computer that is so NOT set up for audio editing, but has stereo i/o and a CD burner.

Now we're trying to forget that we ever bought that analog 4 track, so is our best bet some cheap audio editing software, if we want to burn it to a CD? My idea was to record seperate tracks onto the MD players, throw them on the computer and edit them together. Any suggestions on how to get a GOOD sounding demo? We need at least 5 tracks I'd think (Guitar, guitar, bass, drums, vocals) Once again, please excuse my ignorance on the subject...
 
A possible cheap option would be to get n-Track Studio recording software. It costs about $40. It's downloadable from http://www.fasoft.com

plus a cheap mixer. $100 or less. Plug the mixer into the PC soundcard using the right cable, plug your mics into the mixer and record the whole band playing at once, or record one instrument at a time then mix them on the PC using n-Track. That's the cheapest option I know.
 
Hi, I am in a similer position - band wanting to make a demo (although I have built a small studio at home).

I would usggest getting Magix Audio Studio 7 - www.magix.com. It cost me £44 from PC World and I have used Cubase VST before I prefer it - it has full support for up to 64tracks, VST instruments and effects, hasa full manual you can print out and is pretty cool.

As for hardware - check Ebay for bargains - I bought my 24/8/2 Studiomaster console from there £350. :)

I definitly think hard disk recording is the way to go for bands recording demo's.

Jono
 
Dont underestimate the old 4-track, good results can be acheived.

Position your mics well use good tape make sure the heads are clean.

Use a mixer and buss down to 4 tracks if you can, it sounds like you have a few mics, and remember you have to practice recording just like an instrument the more you do the better you get. :D
 
oooh 1 track simultaneous that kinda sucks...track the instruments one at a time perhaps or start with drum and bass.
 
I would recommend that you buy a Cakewalk Software product to do your recording. If you record to the MD, and then transfer to your computer, you might lose some quality, and it will probably be a pain in the ass to edit.

I have Home Studio 9, which is outdated now by Home Studio 2002 (about $90), but you might be able to find an old copy of Home Studio 9 for real cheap. Home Studio, no matter what others say, is an excellent product for its price. You can record up to 8 digital tracks, and add real time effects to them. It also comes with a trial MP3 converter so you can post your songs to the web or whatnot. I don't even use a mixer, I recently bought a microphone pre-amp, but that's not even necessary. The only necessary items, besides the software, will be converters for your plugs (1/4-1/8 for guitars and basses) and (XLR-1/4 for mics). The 1/4 to 1/8 is cheap ($2) and can be bought at radio shack. The XLR is a little more (about $15) and can be bought at any music store. I made my first cd with only these the software, plugs, a Shure SM-58, and a guitar, and it sounded pretty good.

You can hear it on the web on March 21 at http://www.lasalle.edu/~rotondj1/mp3's.html

One last thing I would do is download some direct x plugins, cause the effects that come with the program kinda suck. they're free and can be found at: http://www.thedirectxfiles.com/plugins.htm

i hope this helps. hey, if you're interested in this software, drop me an email: Redkid53@aol.com. I may be able to help you get it really really cheap.
 
a little problem...

Do you have only one mic?

If so, try to borrow at least one more...

Drums will be very hard to record with only one (good sounding drums I mean)

Get two and make a stereo pair.

Can your 4 track act as a 2 channel mixer?

Does it have two inputs that you can record onto 1 track?

Does the drummer have to play?
You can make the drum tracks with Fruity Loops...with excellent results.

Peace...

PC
 
TCU... could I please get a copy... or at least an MP3 of that when finished!?
 
You're probably not going to like what I'm about to say, but I hope you understand that I am only trying to help you out. Keep in mind that getting "good" results takes a lot of practice and refining of your skills. Not to mention a few extra toys to play with.

It really is a lot like learning to play the guitar. The very best players I've known took at least a couple of years of constant practice before they really started to know what they were doing.

Recording isn't too much different if you want to do it right. The good news is that learnig will be very fun -- even if your first several attempts wind up sounding like bunk. And a lot of it will, at first. It's unavoidable. You'll learn from your mistakes, and eventually you will look back on them and have a good laugh.

All of us on this board have been there, or still are there, to varying degrees. :) You're in very good company. Consider us as more of a support group than a "how to" manual. So my advice, finally, is that if you need a good-sounding demo, and you'd like it done sometime within the next year, then you really need to get yourself some real studio time. Do yourself a favor. Some day, you may very well have a nice home setup, and you'll figure out how to use it well. But it's more of a gradual process that won't happen right away. And any experience you get recording in a real studio will only speed up your learning curve.
 
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