Total beginner, starting from square one.

  • Thread starter Thread starter The_Barse
  • Start date Start date
T

The_Barse

New member
So I'm looking to finally start recording. I've been playing music for a few years now and I'd like to eventually make a cd (I mean just one for myself and friends that I burnt on my computer, nothing fancy). Simply for personal accomplishment, Im certainly not trying to make it big or anything.

Anyway, I've got a new laptop (HP Pavillion) and it's got Windows Vista Home Premium which I've read on here isn't the best for recording programs. I've been thinking about downgrading to XP anyway because Vista messes up too often.

My music is rather light, and basic. Acoustic guitar, etc. I'm looking to add effects like strings, synth, and some drum beats. I posted a threat asking for keyboard recommendations for that.

But to record, Im wondering exactly what I need to get started. I've got an acoustic guitar, an electric, and some woodwind instruments. How would I go about recording those onto my computer? And what program is best for recording guitar and keyboard mostly (with some light vocals)?

Any info is appriciated and remember Im a beginning beginer so maybe some extra explaining would help :D
 
Time to start reading. Here's a great site to get started:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Also, look up Home Recording for Musicians for Dummies by Jeff Strong on Amazon.com.

The short summary, you'll need an interface to convert analog signals to digital. Most come with a trimmed down version of a popular DAW such as Cubase or Sonar.

http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces/low2high

You'll need a mic, maybe a condensor (and there are some very inexpensive ones that will sound okay).

http://www.sweetwater.com/c105--Condenser_Microphones/low2high

Then you'll need some method for monitoring while recording (headphones) and when mixing down (studio monitors).

For drums, I use EZDrummer and recommend it to anyone who isn't a drummer.

www.toontrack.com


It's a slippery slope, once you get started aquiring equipment, you'll find you're always wanting something just slightly better.....

Have fun,
 
IMO, going to XP is not "downgrading." It's probably the most stable Microsoft OS I've ever used.

And that's not saying much! :D
 
Thanks for all the links, I'm reading them all now :D

And yeah, it's not really downgrading since it is more stable.. but you know what I mean haha.

What do you guys think of Sony Acid 7.0? Im reading up on that and it seems like a decent beginner program.
 
The_Barse said:
Thanks for all the links, I'm reading them all now :D

And yeah, it's not really downgrading since it is more stable.. but you know what I mean haha.

What do you guys think of Sony Acid 7.0? Im reading up on that and it seems like a decent beginner program.
Click to expand...


Just a couple of things: If you're gonna' go back to XP, be sure you start from scratch. I don't even know if it's possible to "upgrade" to a previous OS, so you may be forced to start from scratch, but even if you're not forced to do that...do it.

As for the software, people seem to love "Reaper" for a number of reasons...not the least of which is that you can get it for free without stealing it. There are a bazillion users of it online, so learning how to use it is not something you have to do alone.

Best of luck. I started recording awhile ago, but really only got serious about 8 years ago when I began recording to my computer; those were the first recordings that really started making me believe that I could do this myself and not necessarily sound like I did it myself, lol.
 
Every little bit helps

But yeah, without feeling any pangs, it would be a good app for this fellow, if he's used to the windows way of working.
 
I downloaded Reaper. Im fiddling around with the song that comes already on it... but when I go to New Project there's no instruments or anything to mess around with.. do I need to record my own and insert them into the program?
 
You can drag and drop files in, run free vst instruments, record stuff, whatever.

Someone will probably reccomend some cool free VST-i's

The softdrums thing the FreeAmp guy made is cool ,but it takes soundfonts, which is a whole new thing to learn...
 
I also use Reaper. It's very affordable and not bloated like every other DAW is. It installs in 2 seconds, and loads in about 3 seconds. It has a very good user forum also. It's definately worth considering.

I use a POD X3 as my interface. It's an amp hardware emulator. Just plug your electric guitar in, pick an amp model that sounds good to you and let it rip. The sounds are awesome in it. Behringer also makes a hardware emulator for less money.

Windows XP is a good stable OS for recording. I used Windows 2000 for many years before switching to XP. Of course, I was not recording while I was using 2000, so I don't know how many recording apps would run on it. But they say that the XP code is derived from the 2000 code so they may still run.

I had a brand new copy of XP Home Edition that I just sold on Ebay. If I didn't sell it to him, I would have been happy to sell it to you.
 
I downloaded Reaper and I just sorta messed around with some of the effects and stuff just to get used to it. I definitely see potential once i really starting learning how to use it.

What equipment would I need to plug in an electric guitar?
 
The Toneport GX from Line 6 is stupid cheap right now. Its USB so can be a bit iffy but when it works it kills, especially for the price
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top