Newbiest newb ever - help humbly requested

[Synchestra]

Hey guys.

Recently I got it into my head that I'd like to start recording some of the guitar stuff that comes out of my fingers. I have a guitar and a laptop, and *nothing* else. I know I want direct input recording. I also need some kind of effects/modelling processor, as my amp isn't really up to the task of doing anything useful. Currently I'm thinking something along the following lines:

Tracktion 3
Line 6 Pod x3 (this seems to be a good combination of interface and effects/amp modelling unit)
Some monitors

I can just plug all this together and make it work, yeah? Would I need extra stuff (like a MIDI controller or something) if I wanted to make use of the VST drums (or synths or anything) that come with Tracktion?

I know literally almost nothing about this whole business, and this rig would be a starting point for me to learn about recording. Any advice would be treasured dearly

Cheers,
Andrew

EDIT: PC user here, so no GarageBand for me.

 

[suprstar]

Sure, a pod or anything would work. Get something that has a headphones jack, you can run that directly into the line-in on your sound card. If you're using vst's or anything thats internal to the pc, you won't need any midi stuff. Only if you're going to connect to an external synth / drum machine / whatever.

 

[jdier]

Hey guys.

Recently I got it into my head that I'd like to start recording some of the guitar stuff that comes out of my fingers. I have a guitar and a laptop, and *nothing* else. I know I want direct input recording. I also need some kind of effects/modelling processor, as my amp isn't really up to the task of doing anything useful. Currently I'm thinking something along the following lines:

Tracktion 3
Line 6 Pod x3 (this seems to be a good combination of interface and effects/amp modelling unit)
Some monitors

I can just plug all this together and make it work, yeah? Would I need extra stuff (like a MIDI controller or something) if I wanted to make use of the VST drums (or synths or anything) that come with Tracktion?

I know literally almost nothing about this whole business, and this rig would be a starting point for me to learn about recording. Any advice would be treasured dearly

Cheers,
Andrew

EDIT: PC user here, so no GarageBand for me.

Here is my suggestion:

http://line6.com/toneport/

Check the UX1. The GX would work for what you describe, but the UX1 will give you the ability to plug in a mic for recording acoustic or maybe a vocal someday.

I have used the GX predecessor the GuitarPort and I think that the modeling and all of that is completely servicable for getting ideas down and playing with sounds.

I have a buddy who bought the UX1 and is in love with it. Same guitar modeling stuff is in there, but he also loves the mic input where he plugs in an SM57 and does some vocals and acoustic stuff.

Good luck.

(BTW, I had a problem with a Guitar Port that was out of warranty and I got in touch with Line6 and they replaced it. They seem like good guys (and gals))

 

[Synchestra]

Thanks guys. Another quick question: how do you control VST plugins? Like, if I have a VST drum library, how do I get the sounds from the library into a coherent track in my sequencer?

Sorry to bother you with entry-level stuff, but I'm just trying to get my head around this complex entity known as recording

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:

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/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs

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) not quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm


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

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
Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $40 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($20) 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 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're giving away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[killthepixelnow]

I'd like to recommend this aprticular book (I also keep it in wordpad)
Guerrilla Home Recording: How to Get Great Sound from Any Studio (No Matter How Weird or Cheap Your Gear Is)
by Karl Coryat

http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Home-Recording-Studio-Matter/dp/1423454464/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208286609&sr=8-1

 

[Nick98338]

Thanks guys. Another quick question: how do you control VST plugins? Like, if I have a VST drum library, how do I get the sounds from the library into a coherent track in my sequencer?

Sorry to bother you with entry-level stuff, but I'm just trying to get my head around this complex entity known as recording

No easy, one line answer here. Sounds from a drum VST library can be delivered into a recording track many different ways. Both audio and midi. PC Drummer, EZDrummer, Session Drummer, Addictive Drums, various Soundfont players. .wav files of individual drum hits... prerecorded loops.. on and on.

There's not only where the sounds come from, but also how they are "triggered". Midi keyboard, midi "Pad" controller, virtual keyboard... again, many different ways.

Get your guitar recording going first. Learn as you go. Worry about drums, later.

 

[TimN]

The Line 6 UX2 can be had for $130.00 US; spend the little extra and get it.
We use it for 2 extra ins for the E-mu 0404--its like the guitar algorithms are thrown in for free (or is it the other way around?). Well worth it in any case.