Recording with a PC

[gordholio]

Hi everybody:

Okay, I'm pretty new to this whole recording thing. I'm currently auditioning a BOSS BR-8. It's pretty cool (for my purposes), but I've already realized several of its limitations (even entering a song name is a hassle) and I think I'll be aching for a PC-based recording setup pretty soon. We have a garage R&R band (playing in a garage!). We're all saddled with mortgage payments, etc., so we don't have tons of money. :-(

Anyway, the question I have is: What do I need apart from the PC to do a good job of recording our band? I don't need advice on building the PC aside from the sound card, and I think I know the mics I'll be using. But what else do I need apart from this? Do I need an external mixer, or can everything be done through the PC and a good sound card/breakout box? Do I really need to drop big bucks on Cakewalk or similar pro recording software when there are several less expensive alternatives?

Also, one other question for anyone who might be gracious enough to respond. I already have a beefy PC in my den (Athlon 1600+ processor, 512 MB RAM, dual 40 GB hard drives). I don't want to carry this back and forth to our practice/recording space, but I have no problem using where it currently sits for producing/mixing/mastering the music. Without having to buy a second computer to put in the garage recording space, is there another effective method for recording our music where we could thereafter transfer the files to my den computer for post-recording finalization? I could continue using the BR-8, but I'd be spending too much time converting files from BOSS's format to .WAV, downloading a measly two tracks at a time, etc.

Geez, I hope I've phrased everything correctly...

Thanks so much in advance.

gordo

 

[TexRoadkill]

For cheap software you can try Ntracks or CoolEditPro. They handle audio but not MIDI if you need that.

There are many mixer/preamp/soundcard options. Read up in the different forums and come back with more specific questions and we'll be glad to help.

If you guys have somebody who can record in the living room while you guys play in the garage then all you need is a cable snake to extend the mic and line cables. Any other option will still require transfering of files.

 

[neirbo]

The choice of sound card will depend largely on how many inputs you need. For recording a band live, you'll probably want quite a few.

I am personally fond of my Aardvark Q10. It has 8 inputs which is enough to record my band live, and built in pre-amps so there is no need for an external mixer. You just need the sound card, mics, a computer, and enough cables to put it all together. I also comes bundled with Cakewalk Pro Audio 9, which is not as good as the more recent Sonar, but still very functional.

There are plenty of other sound card options however, so decide what you really need, how much you can pay, and use the search engine here and see what folks have to say.

 

[Hard2Hear]

FYI, N-Track does MIDI, too. It's not as nice as Sonar, but it's usable.

H2H