Newbie recording on a budget

[adamack]

Hey everyone,

Firstly I would like to say what a great job on the resources and information everyone has provided on the forum and the website, it rocks.

Whilst reading through this forum I not noticed everyone had their own individual recording situation and fairly specific problems. Thats why I decided to open a new thread. As annoying as it may be to see another thread like this I was hoping it may help others who may be in the same situation as me.

Ok, so this is my situation: I have an LG LS50a laptop computer, completely standard. I have recorded my band live through a crappy pc mic and using the amazingly useful Sound Recorder . Didnt do too bad and was hoping with a better program (preferably free) and some other method of getting the sound onto my computer I could record a lot more effectively. Then mix it and whatever to make it sound sweet.

We play heavy hardcore punk rock to narrow down the sound.

Now I will try to pitch a few questions to get some good results...

1. What program for recording and mixing?
2. Do I use the mic jack in the computer or some other way of getting the sound in?
3. I dont know what kind of sound card I have or need. Help?

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.....
Cheers
Adam

 

[wheelema]

What program for recording and mixing?

n-Track is awfully good for the price

Do I use the mic jack in the computer or some other way of getting the sound in?

Depending on whether your PC has USB and/or Firewire there are external 'soundcards' that capture and route signals to/from the PC (e.g., M-Audio Firewire 410, Digidesign M-Box, etc.)

I dont know what kind of sound card I have or need

The soundcard you have is an integrated component of the motherboard, as for what you need....

Note that there seem to be a bit more posts bitching about USB interfaces than Firewire interfaces. Read into that what you will.

 

[JD_1982]

LG LS50a & sound editing etc.

Ahoi,
I have an LG LS50a and it works fine for my demands. I work for a radio station producing a national weekly radio program. I deal with 20 min interviews and up to an hour long multi-sessions. I patch my laptop into the studio panel simply using the mic jack and headphone jacks and receive no distortion / loss of signal on the laptop end.
I use Cool Edit Pro and it runs perfectly on the laptop. You can get a demo version, and if you are looking to buy it, the new version is called Adobe Audition.
Anyhow, using the right connections and programs, the LG LS50a should do the trick stock standard.
I also use the computer at DJ gigs as a database of music (from iTunes) and as a source to run visualisation programs (connected to a data projector). While running these programs, the computer has no problems recording sound (from the pre-out line of the mixer) in the background (through the mic in).

I hope this helps.

JD

PS. for shareware and freeware audio software that can do the trick, go to http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/
there is a lot of software here, so when you download something, make sure to try it out... and just keep downloading till you get what you want i guess.

 

[apl]

I have a TASCAM US122. It is 24 bit, has phantom mic pres, and built in DI for guitars. It comes with some software that is limited. I used it to record the song in my signature line. I like it a lot.

 

[Ronan]

Ok, so this is my situation: I have an LG LS50a laptop computer, completely standard. I have recorded my band live through a crappy pc mic and using the amazingly useful Sound Recorder . Didnt do too bad and was hoping with a better program (preferably free) and some other method of getting the sound onto my computer I could record a lot more effectively. Then mix it and whatever to make it sound sweet.

We play heavy hardcore punk rock to narrow down the sound.

Now I will try to pitch a few questions to get some good results...

1. What program for recording and mixing?
2. Do I use the mic jack in the computer or some other way of getting the sound in?
3. I dont know what kind of sound card I have or need. Help?

Adam, Why are you trying to go high tech? Get a 4 track cassette recorder. You can get them on Ebay for $50-100 and the media (the tape) cost about 2 bucks. I hope this does not sound like I am joking because I am not. Instead of starting to spend a bunch of money to get a "crappy" computer set up, get a cool sounding 4 track set up. I made plenty of punk records on cassettes when I was starting up and they sounded cool.

Based on your post I would say buy a 4 track cassette and you can mix down into your existing computer set up (it probably has a line input). If you do this you will have tons of fun making recordings in stead of screwing around trying to figure out your way around a computer. Hit the tape really heard and your tracks will sound big and in your face. Cutt your teeth on the 4 track and then if you fall in love with recording you will know what you really want when you start investing in the fancier gear

 

[apl]

I would have to respectfully disagree with Mr. Ronan.

The limitations of four track tape recording v. even the cheapest (free software, line in on your current soundcard, so it costs you NOTHING to get started) digital domain recording make the four track obsolete. This applies both to musical possibilities and sound quality. Also, if you do move on to better things, you'll have to relearn everything to go digital.

Again, no enmity toward Mr. Ronan.

 

[NYMorningstar]

Either way has it's ups and downs. The laptop recording is limited to one track for live music and I certainly wouldn't be running a line in to a mic input because it may eventually burn it out. The tascam 122 is ok but is also limited on tracks for live music and speed when mixing with the usb. I may be prejudice because it's the way I learned but Ronan's 4 track tape recorder I think is the best way to go to like he says, "cut your teeth". You can have 4 sources for live music and up to 10 tracks for studio recording if you know how to bounce them. Learning on the analog equipment makes learning digital alot easier plus the tape has a quality you can't match with digital. Yeah, I know you can simulate it but to me it's just not the same and I still find myself using my old Tascam 234 Syncoset just for it's sound.

To get the best results though you just need to keep doing what your doing. Keep asking questions, experiment and learn learn learn... Your knowlegde is the best resource you'll ever have and will be the biggest influence on the sound of your recordings. G/L

 

[jkvd]

What is the goal with recording ? Are you planning on recording the whole band at once, or are you planning on multitracking? That you first start with clicktrack, drums, guitar, vocals etc...
And the second question would be what are your plans with it ? Just for recording the idea you created with your band or making some kind of demo?

For just plain ideas it's hard to beat a pc mic I think. I use it for recording quick the idea for a song. You get a pretty balanced bandsound without any efford.

For recording a demo I'd suggest doing multitracking (needs less equipment). Just buy a small behringer mixingtable (Behringer UB 502) for 50 euro's/dollars. Buy a cheap condensor mic (picks up a whole drumkit) and use your vocal mic for vocals and just experiment with the rest. You should have lots of fun playing with that stuff for onder 200 euro's/dollars.

Tip: your soundcard can record stereo on the line in. With ok recording software that means two mono channels! Pan your drum mic on the mixer to the left and the vocals to the right and it records two seperate channels.