A
Ariana
New member
Hello,
I have enjoyed reading all the posts here and trying to familiarize myself with this recording language you all speak so fluently (that is like greek to me..)
I am a total newbie to digital recording (well all types of recording really when it comes to engineering.) I was lucky enough to win a $500 gift certificate to Guitar Center at some independent music festival. That was 2 years ago and I have had it burning in my pocket since then.. thought I would put it towards a digital multitrack or something, but was wary of the price and all the "extras" necessary just to get the damn tracks out of the thing and into a form you can actually use (ie upload to mp3 or whatever). So this Christmas when I bought myself a smoking nutrend athlon 3 PC (running XP) I figured I should start investigating soundcard/ digital recording options...
So I have several questions, PLEASE forgive my stupidity. I am actually good at some things in life though it may seem from my questions below that I am a hopeless idiot:
1) When I told the guy at guitar center what I wanted to do, (record vocals, guitar, bass and maybe a drum machine) direct to my computer he basically said the only thing they had that could do that is the delta 66 omni package. But I forgot to tell him that I do have a mixer: a small (4 channel) soundraft spirit notepad. So from what I have been reading in this BB, maybe I can use my mixer for the pre amps and don't need the 66 and could go for the audiophile or something cheaper and use that money for some nice studio monitors or something.. that mixer does have phantom mic power etc, but overall it isn't a real advanced mixer, I have been using it as part of my small PA system for live performance (it sounds great live, very pure through my JBL EONs but I don't know how it will sound for recording.)
The other thing I should mention is that I will do most of the guitar recording through my POD which I understand has S/PDIF out(?) and so might have use for the 66's digital input (did I get that right?) And yet another thing I should mention is that my superfast computer is also superLOUD! So does that mean I should necessarily get something with a breakout box?
2) What recording software should I invest my time in learning? I am actually really good at picking up computer programs, but as I am new to recording speak in general I know I have a long road ahead of me... which program offers the most plug-ins for effects sounds etc? Which program will conflict least with my other apps such as photoshop etc. and will generally "hog" less of my computer. Which is the most idiot proof? Which is NOT idiot proof but WORTH it to dig your heels in and learn?
3) If I DO need a soundcard with a preamp, is it better to get one separate from the soundcard itself because then you can still use it if you change soundcards at somepoint down the road?
4) What else do I need to record the parts that I mentioned? What sort of cables etc?
Thank you all in advance,
Ariana
I have enjoyed reading all the posts here and trying to familiarize myself with this recording language you all speak so fluently (that is like greek to me..)
I am a total newbie to digital recording (well all types of recording really when it comes to engineering.) I was lucky enough to win a $500 gift certificate to Guitar Center at some independent music festival. That was 2 years ago and I have had it burning in my pocket since then.. thought I would put it towards a digital multitrack or something, but was wary of the price and all the "extras" necessary just to get the damn tracks out of the thing and into a form you can actually use (ie upload to mp3 or whatever). So this Christmas when I bought myself a smoking nutrend athlon 3 PC (running XP) I figured I should start investigating soundcard/ digital recording options...
So I have several questions, PLEASE forgive my stupidity. I am actually good at some things in life though it may seem from my questions below that I am a hopeless idiot:
1) When I told the guy at guitar center what I wanted to do, (record vocals, guitar, bass and maybe a drum machine) direct to my computer he basically said the only thing they had that could do that is the delta 66 omni package. But I forgot to tell him that I do have a mixer: a small (4 channel) soundraft spirit notepad. So from what I have been reading in this BB, maybe I can use my mixer for the pre amps and don't need the 66 and could go for the audiophile or something cheaper and use that money for some nice studio monitors or something.. that mixer does have phantom mic power etc, but overall it isn't a real advanced mixer, I have been using it as part of my small PA system for live performance (it sounds great live, very pure through my JBL EONs but I don't know how it will sound for recording.)
The other thing I should mention is that I will do most of the guitar recording through my POD which I understand has S/PDIF out(?) and so might have use for the 66's digital input (did I get that right?) And yet another thing I should mention is that my superfast computer is also superLOUD! So does that mean I should necessarily get something with a breakout box?
2) What recording software should I invest my time in learning? I am actually really good at picking up computer programs, but as I am new to recording speak in general I know I have a long road ahead of me... which program offers the most plug-ins for effects sounds etc? Which program will conflict least with my other apps such as photoshop etc. and will generally "hog" less of my computer. Which is the most idiot proof? Which is NOT idiot proof but WORTH it to dig your heels in and learn?
3) If I DO need a soundcard with a preamp, is it better to get one separate from the soundcard itself because then you can still use it if you change soundcards at somepoint down the road?
4) What else do I need to record the parts that I mentioned? What sort of cables etc?
Thank you all in advance,
Ariana
