Recording Guitar Directly into my Computer

[pisces7378]

First of all SORRY FOR THE "DOUBLE THREAD." I have already posted this under the "Newbies" catagory. I didn't mean to enter it there. I was looking there and forgot that I was not in this catagory. Won't happen again.




Hey guys, I am relatively new, meaning I have been asking dumb questions for the last 2 months or so. Anyway, at first I was a HARDWARE guy and hated computers. Now I have decided to go the computer route. I spoke to my brother that is a computer GOD, and he got me what he said is a "computer that will do all that YOU will ever need it to do. It is a Fujitsu/Siemens PC Scaleo P800
Here are it's spec's
Pent III
800MHz
20 GB Hard Drive
128 MB SDRAM
32 MB AGP Grafik
56k Modem
3.5" Diskette
16 Bit sound

Now here is what I have in terms of hardware:

Roland JV 1010
MIDI Master Keyboard
Acoustic/Electric Guitar
(No Amplifier)
Several Electric guitars

Software:
Logic Audio Platinum

I will use the drum sounds from the JV 1010 and the expansion boards to play the drum and bass lines into the computer software sequencer. But then I want to record my guitar into the computer as well. I also want to record my vocal tracks over all that. I was told at the record store when I wanted to buy a Roland VS 1880, that I might as well buy the software and just use the computer since the VS is basically a COMPUTER itself. I was hooked by the idea. Anyway, now I am finding out that I will have to buy so many sound cards, MIDI interfaces etc... plus the price of the PC, that I will be living on the street with a whole lot of fancy toys with no electrical outlets to plug them in. Now I want to make it perfectly clear that I want to make top quality music. I am not talking abotu spending $400 more dollars on a MIDI interface just because it has some brand name on it. And I work ALL ALONE. So I do not need 16 audio inputs. I just need a few. I only have that one synth/master keyboard set up, so I don't need more than one MIDI-in and out. Now right now anyway. Anyway, what else do I need?
Here is what I think I need:
- Some kind of MIDI interface so that the synth/keyboard will plug into my computer.
- Some kind of sound card, because the 16-bit one that comes in the computer just isn't so good.
- A pre-amp for my guitar with effects built in (distortion reverb flanger etc...)
- A Pre-amp for the microphone. (Vocal tracks)
- Someone said something about needing a mixer???

I pray to God that I have covered it all.

Anyways, does anyone have some good advice on which of these products I REALLY need and which I can live without? Can you go and re-read the spec's on that computer and tell me if ti si adequate before I go and buy a piece of junk. Thanks a million guys. I know these are a lot of LONG and boring questions. Take it easy on me please

 

[Tom Hicks]

Mixer-the little Behringer has 6 channels,two bus for $99

Mike Pre-Presonus stereo for $150 or tube MP mono for $99

Guitar Pre-save your money and get a few stompboxes

Amp-MUST HAVE ,I recommend a small (10 watts or so) tube amp.Transisters and modeled tones are close,but if you want it to sound like what your ears are used to,NOTHING will sound like a miked saturated tube amp for singing distortion.Even little ones will do the job,you won't NEED that 100 watt plexi (send it to me).Good luck.
Tom

 

[Bobsleigh]

You NEED a mixer. Check your other thread for what i said about the Behringer MX802.

You don't NEED a preamp for your guitar.

All the effects are available through software - you can add them AFTER the track is recorded. Or buy a damn Zoom 505 guitar effects box with all that shit in it.

Sure the AMP will be nice, but I'm guessing you live in a flat with dozens of mad german neighbours. No chance for mic'in it, just the line output left then. I just plug the guitar through my stomp boxes and straight into the mixer, and add some good ol' tube warmth in the audio editor. (Basically impossible, eh? Well, I'm fooled)

The MIDI interface is just a converter cable. It goes into the joystick input of your soundcard. BUY THE SB LIVE! It's good value for the money and has all you need.

 

[Wesley]

Check out the aardvark 24/96:
http://www.aardvark-pro.com/direct_pro_2496.html
It sounds wonderfull and will kick butt over anything that you could put together in the same price range.