Pretty new, getting started. Software help!

[cjl120120]

Hi everyone : ) so I'm pretty new to legit home recording, other than years ago recording on sound recorder over my laptop mic
I've recently got a Tascam DP-02. No software yet. I have a good understanding of the Tascam so far and can get some decent recordings out of it for what it's worth, but I'm totally lost on the software issue. What do I need to get started as far as software goes?? More importantly, why do I need it??
I have absolutely no knowledge of this, so any information can help. Thank you!

Also, on a side note, does anyone have tips for getting a less fuzzy sounds on recordings?? Like a good guitar-to-recorder setup? As of now I only have my guitar directly running to the Tascam through a Boss distortion pedal and it does not sound that great =/

 

[snow lizard]

The DP-02 is a bit quirky when setting your gain levels. The only thing useful on there is the clip lights on the preamps and they only start blinking when you're way too hot (eg. clipping at 0 dBFS). To complicate things, the "meters" don't really show you a full signal when it is infact full. It's a bit confusing. Try turning your levels down a bit.

You can transfer raw wave tracks to a "FAT partition" on the DP-02 that allows you to transfer them to a computer DAW by USB. It's time consuming for the DP-02 to transfer the files from its native partition to the FAT partition, but the actual USB transfer goes fast. It's covered in the manual.

Using a DAW on a computer would allow you more tools & control for mixing and using plugins and such if you have a good soundcard & converters & monitors. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software includes things like Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic (if you have a Mac), Sonar, et cetera. Lots of other ones. Cheap DAW software includes Reaper. Audacity is free software if you just want to learn what a DAW can do for you.

 

[TimOBrien]

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 tested 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/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...)

 

[cjl120120]

Thanks guys! That's all a great help, I'll be sure to try out alot of those things. Good to hear about the money saving too, I was worried how much I'd be dishing out after already buying the Tascam and all.