recording...

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fadedstars

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Hey! I recently started songwriting a few months ago, and I would really like to record some of the material I have for some of my friend's demo tracks. The problem is that all my music was originally composed on acoustic instruments (most common one is piano), and I don't own a keyboard that can hook up to a computer.

So I was wondering whether or not you could record songs (vocal and instrumentals) usually a relatively cheap system and mix it on a computer? Any help on what kind of products, etc. I have to get would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
You would need to be willing to invest some money in a good audio card interface and software, along with some good quality mics for that piano. Be ready to invest at least $600
 
Thanks for the tip. Actually, I was thinking more of recording the cassette version of the songs and then mixing it onto my computer... the problem is really getting the music from the cassette onto my computer. Any suggestions for that?
 
You have a multitrack cassette based recorder ? or are you talking about an existing tape you want to transfer to your PC.
 
Get a Tascam Portastudio, 4-track cassette recorder/mixer.

A brand new 424mkIII goes for $329, which is pretty good value, and it sounds good too. Used Portastudios go for less, but are still a good value.

Mixing from a 4-track Portastudio down to the computer is easy, as one of the heads above said, all it requires is an RCA-to-1/8"-stereo Y-cable, & some simple recording software.;)

Then get a pair of Shure SM57's, some cables & stands, and you'll be set.
 
fadedstars said:
Hey! I recently started songwriting a few months ago, and I would really like to record some of the material I have for some of my friend's demo tracks. The problem is that all my music was originally composed on acoustic instruments (most common one is piano), and I don't own a keyboard that can hook up to a computer.

So I was wondering whether or not you could record songs (vocal and instrumentals) usually a relatively cheap system and mix it on a computer? Any help on what kind of products, etc. I have to get would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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I'm with Dave (a reel person) on this one fadedstars. Get yourself a 424mkIII, new, or the mkII on eBay. Make certain it's in good condition though. The 424mkIII is still available new and like Dave said, it sounds good. Remember: RECORDING IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH PC RECORDING! Don't no body tell you otherwise. If ya wanna mixdown to pc then that's another story. Here's how you do it. Buy yourself a 424mkIII or II, mix your songs on it and use RCA outs to 1/8inch in to pc to mixdown your masterpiece. Voila. You can, if you want to, buy a reverb unit and compressor to go with your mkIII but it's not neccessary, especially if you know "mic technique" and are recording in a good sounding room, be it a garage or bathroom :))

Good luck,

Daniel

PS: a SHURE SM57 mic is a must!
 
thanks! I'll look into it. thanks for the info again guys. :) btw, do you have any suggestions on which brand of cable to buy? or does that not really matter?
 
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fadedstars said:
thanks! I'll look into it. thanks for the info again guys. :) btw, do you have any suggestions on which brand of cable to buy? or does that not really matter?
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Others may disagree but I say as long as you buy from a reputable store that treats their customers right, and has a refund/exchange policy, it doesn't really matter what cable you use. The MOST important is making music and don't let the small things detract you from making tunes! Any pro audio / music store will have good enough cables. For example, many say the HOSA cables are not reliable but you do find them cheap and in abundance in practically all music related stores. I have a lot of HOSA cables, that I bought because they were inexpensive and fit my needs, and I like them a lot. No problems here. HOSA are just an example but my advice is first to look for cables that fit your needs and then look for the best price.

Daniel
 
I've been looking into the cables more now, but all I can find are RCA 1/4" ones.. where do you get 1/8" ones?
 
fadedstars said:
I've been looking into the cables more now, but all I can find are RCA 1/4" ones.. where do you get 1/8" ones?
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Any Radio Shack will have these. It'll be a "Y" type cable with 2 RCA jacks on one end and one 1/8" on the other. It'll be a stereo "Y" cable for the purpose of getting your signal from a cassette multitracker (L/R RCA outs into 1/8" input on your PC).

Daniel
 
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