Question on recording setup

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CanopuS

Amateur music since 1847
Hi! Sorry for creating an annoying thread but I was going to ask advice about recording / setup.

At the moment, I am using Cakewalk Pro Audio 9, and record guitar straight through into the computer via the sound card, and use a microphone for vocals (obviously, otherwise how else would you record voice!). However, this is about it, and the sound quality, while OK for just taking down songs, is not really that great, and I am looking for what would be the best option in recording. I've heard from people that getting an Analog-Digital converter and a preamp (although there is one on the guitar already) would be a good option. Or would getting a Multitrack do the job. Or am I just being blind and am using Cakewalk incorrectly, I can't really tell, but I've used Cakewalk for quite a while now, and it seems to work well, but I think I've got to its extent without extra hardware.

My second question is really if Cakewalk is adequate enough or not. I'm not really sure how much sound quality varies from program to program, more like just what effects and how easy an interface there is.

And thirdly, completely and utterly off topic, how to I stop squeaks on metal stringed guitars when moving up and down? :)
Is there any kinda fluid to put on, or what.

Anyway thanks for your time,

Canopus
 
1) There's lots of hardware sollutions for the PC-musician. It really depends on what you want to do. M-Audio has some decent sollutions. I use a soundcard with 8 ins and 8 outs and a 16 channel mixer, and I'm very happy with that setup... :)

2) And PA9 is fine (but Sonar is the king! ;)). I say: "It's not the program, it's the user". The sound itself wont change from one program to the another.


:)
 
Thanks :)

Basically I'm an amateur musician who wants to get as close to the top quality stuff (OK so who doesn't), mainly because I supposedly have a lot of potential to become a big musician (*show off*) :) I'll check out M-Audio's stuff. How much did your setup cost and how good is the quality (if you have anything of yours on the net would be fantastic). Sorry for being a pain in the natural cushion.

And also, what is ProTools like? I've heard the name but it means little to me. :)

Thanks :)
 
You'll find some of my music here. :)

And you really shouldn't compare prices to me. I live in Norway, and equipment here is expensive! I use an Audiotrak INCA88 (which will cost you around $250, Norway-price is around $490) and I bought my Soundcraft F1 mixer (second-hand for $350, still in Norway ;))...


:)
 
Your stuff is very professional sounding :)
Is that mainly due to the external mixer, is that needed to make that lush quality :)

Good stuff :P
 
Thank you! :) (But I guess the die-hard audio guys at this forum won't agree with you... ) :p

Yeah, the mixer helps, and the soundcard is great IMHO (but it's not a 24/96-card). But the most important part is to know how to use the equipment you have. I'm still learning! :)
 
Ditto that :)

Do you have any of your stuff just straight in (without all the mixers + preamps), wanna get an idea if its worth getting some damn expensive thing or not
 
Nope, sorry... I don't see why I shouldn't use the equipment I have... ;)
 
Obviously :) I thought you might have something from the times when you were using primitive technology (like me :P)

Does it REALLY make that much difference then??
 
Hmmm... I really can't say... I upgrade as I learn. A year ago I used different equipment and I've learn alot about mixing since then.

But when I got the new soundcard I compared it to my SB Audigy, and that was a new experience! Like "Goddam, that Live!-card is noisy!"... ;)
 
Yeah well....

Here's what I've done so far. I hope hearing this will allow you to atleast see that I'm pretty good at songwriting (I hope!), so have a listen, just try and forget about the quality. You see, I really want it better than that.

Its called Frosty Skies:



(Yes it is me singing :P)
 
By the way incase anyone else thinks this is like a conversation just between me and mosk, feel free to join in ;)
 
Canopus,

I listened to your recording. Are you by any chance plugging your microphone into a soundcard mic input? If not, what exactly are you using?

DonF
 
Don,

I am the EPITAMY of all newbs. I probably didn't even spell that right :) Anyway, yes I probably I am. My knowledge of other options amounts to 0 so... :(

Anyway, maybe this could be the problem :P
 
That's "epitome" :D

It's fine to be a newbie. Everyone has to start somewhere.

FYI, soundcard mic inputs are intended only for applications where audio quality is not critical -- like speech recognition. You will get a MUCH better sound by using a preamp plugged into the LINE input.

Here's a link to the mic preamp that I use. (Not the best, but it works well for me. And it's cheap.)

DonF
 
I'm sorry CanopuS, but what have you done with that mix?

Have you set the stereo-with to absolute maximum using a plug-in from Waves, or something?

I really liked the song (the song was GREAT)! I just think the mix ruined it... :(

The guitar on the left side feels like it's trying to rip off my left ear. I'm sorry I don't know what's wrong in technical terms, but somethings strange.

I'll try downloading it and see what happens. Maybe it was just my Media Player playing tricks on me...


I'm not saying that I'm that master of mixing (because I'm NOT ;)), it just felt strange...



And please don't hate me...
 
Don - Thanks :) (Even if you did correct me - smartass :))

Moska,

Well I did warn you :)
Yeah the quality of it sucks because basically a) it never sounded that great (average), but b) the convertion sucked loads, and so on.... Anyway thats pretty much why I'm looking for SOMETHING to make it better, what I don't know. And you don't have to be polite and say "the song was GREAT", I shouldn't think you could hear a song through that mess :)
 
And of course I don't hate you :)

Nah the problem is, the sounds are completely thrown off so it sounds unnatural, it actually physically hurts your ears if listening through headphones. :)
 
CanopuS said:
Well I did warn you :)
Click to expand...
So you don't hate me? :p (EDIT: just saw your comment)

Seriously, I wouldn't say I like the song if I didn't (because if I didn't I would say something else). :)
 
Yeah and I just realised a BIG mistake I was making. Expect a better version soon ;)
 
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