this is what i have,what do i need.

[david henry]

on my dell with windows xp

dimension 2100 series, celeron, 1.1GHz
256MB, SDRAM memory
soundblaster 64V PCI sound card
20G ultra ATA hard drive, 7200RPM
thank you so much for the replies. i do not know anything about recording. i would like to know every thing i need, but do not want to spend alot yet. mainley vocals and acoustic guitar, and maybe keyboard. i have a cd burner and would like to make cd's and mp3's, good enough for a local music radio show. i can not thank you enough for the replies.

 

[Chris Fallen]

Depends on what route you want to go. It looks like your preference is computer recording, since you listed your computer. Now, the question about tracks. Singing just needs one for the mic. Acoustic guitar can be one, two, or more. Keyboard is usually just an input, if I'm not mistaken.

You'll need preamps for the mics (possibly phantom power if you want a nice condensor for recording vocals or acoustic guitar), the mics, of course, and then a soundcard that you can use as an a/d (analog to digital) converter.

Now that that is that, you need to look at your price range. Do you want to spend 100 bucks? Do you want to spend 1000 bucks?

You can buy stand alone preamps and run the line out of those into 1/4' soundcard inputs. That would be the simplest way for you, since you only need a few inputs. I'd say get an audiophile and an audio buddy or something to that extent. As for mics, for vocals if you want a nice condensor mic, they're selling MXL V67s for 99 bucks. A cheap (good, from what I hear) condensor for only a hundred bucks. That's good buying for a budget.

Christopher

 

[DavidK]

i can not thank you enough for the replies.

We'll just see about that...

You probably need a better Soundcard.
You need some software. Check this out www.fasoft.com it is called N-track, good and cheap.
You need a mic and a pre-amp.

What musical equipment do you already have?

 

[Charva]

Check out my home page for a list of things i'm using

http://www.geocities.com/charvster/

I'm using the sound card that came with my computer (Ensoniq PCI) nothing fancy.

Go get a little mixer (depending on how much you wanna spend) but remember that you usually get what you pay for. I paid 130.00 american for my mixer. The main output of the mixer goes into the line in on your soundcard. How you get stuff into the mixer is up to you (mic the amp or use the output of an effects pedal etc..)

You will need some software to record your stuff into. Cakewalk Home Studio 2001 might be all you need (100.00 bucks at guitar center)

Keep reading this BBS, I've only been recording on my pc for 2 months now and have learned lots here. Good luck man.