Want to record simple songs 1 track at a time

[arch_jedi]

I've been reading for a few days and I think I'm more confused than when I started I've written tons of country songs and even recorded a demo in a nice Nashville studio...however I want to record 2 to 3 mic tracks, 2 acoustic guitar tracks, a piano and/or violin here and there, and a cheesy sounding drum loop with sequencing for verse and chorus beat changes.

I have plenty of muscle in my comp...barton 2500+,1 gig o' pc3200 and such....I assume to record I'll need a new soundcard with all the proper imputs...currently I have a SB audigy plat eX.

I'm brand new to recording obviously....so I'll obviously need a decent mic..no problem....a card with a crapload of imputs(I think), but when you all start talking about digital audio recorders,preamps, mixers and tons of options for software my mind boggles

I'm not looking for perfect sound...just a decent recording...but particularly I need a setup that allows me to lay down track 1 at a time and playback what I've recorded while recording the new track. Example...I put in the bass drum, snare, symbols loop in Software A or B...then play that beat back while I record the guitar track....mic'd or direct imput into the soundcard imput, or mixer, or digi audio recorded ( ) sigh...then play those 2 tracks and record vocals...and so forth until I have all tracks recorded. Then maybe I can sit at the computer and listen to each track individually or play 1 or 2 at a time..and MAYBE even nip and tuck here and there within a track.

Budget is around $1000 I'd say. Maybe less....
Hope I've supplied enough info to give an idea of what I want to do. THX in advance!

 

[radiorickm]

heart set

well, if you have your heart set on recording into the computer....good luck.

here is a suggestion in a different direction (sort of)

I do the SIB (Studio IN a Box) route, stand alone unit.
for what you are wanting to do, record 1 track at a time, this would be absolutely great.

i use the fostex MR-8, just like you are describing, and it works terrific. PLUS, with the MR-8, you can import track into the pc for processing.
The thing is, the MR-8 is about $299.00 right now i think. Taking that out of your 1K budget leaves you about $700.00, which will buy you one hell of a nice mic and pre!!!!!!

There are other's too that will work for this purpose, Korg and ZOOM and Yamaha are some that are talked about alot.

anyway, not trying to talk you out of the puter, just making an alternative suggestion. I dont know the puter prices on things, guess i need to do a little research that direction.

good luck

 

[arch_jedi]

Ahh yeah nice... with that can I playback and listen to my recorded tracks via headphones or something while recording the new instrument/VOCAL on another track? Are 8tracks a direct imput recording system or a MIC the speakers kindof setup?

And, when uploading the tracks to the PC they'll all be separate files?

There's another subject I need to address...the many softwares out there to add effects to tracks and/or process them.

 

[MadAudio]

Acid Pro would be a great program for what you want to do. You can set it for the song key and tempo, and make changes accordingly. And you can set it to "Acidize" the tracks you record, allowing for more manipulation than just cut-n-paste editing. Comes with good FX and is very easy to use. You can download the free demo here: http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/download/step2.asp?DID=401

 

[manning1]

jedi - you might be able to get by with the audigy.
you certainly have a fast enough pc.
do yourself a favour and try the demo of what i use.
powertracks from pgmusic.com. you wont beat it for the money. 49 bucks. i've been a user for years. just a few of thousands of features, ....
48 tracks audio and/or midi. great editing of audio or midi, built in drum pattern maker. does 24 bit audio if you need it. works with multiple input sound cards if say you go to a delta for example. also check out the tc
harmonise feature in the just released version 9 that lets you create vocal harmonies. if you dont believe me talk to users on the forums at pg.
a really loyal bunch whove used every other product out there.
i would just get a couple of decent mics eg: i like cad. and a small mixer
to feed the sound card eg: yamaha mg. used folio notepads are pretty good as well if you can find one (good pre's).
if you want more info just ask.

 

[Carter]

jedi - you might be able to get by with the audigy.
you certainly have a fast enough pc.
do yourself a favour and try the demo of what i use.
powertracks from pgmusic.com. you wont beat it for the money. 49 bucks. i've been a user for years. just a few of thousands of features, ....
48 tracks audio and/or midi. great editing of audio or midi, built in drum pattern maker. does 24 bit audio if you need it. works with multiple input sound cards if say you go to a delta for example. also check out the tc
harmonise feature in the just released version 9 that lets you create vocal harmonies. if you dont believe me talk to users on the forums at pg.
a really loyal bunch whove used every other product out there.


SPAM, I just want to know why you always recommend this program in every damn post you put up? you must work for them....

 

[arch_jedi]

ok so 2 good options are...

soundcard with imputs ie delta, powered mixer and/or preamp and record direct and use power tracks for processing...

or get an 8track and record into that....no imput soundcard needed...and move the files to the PC and process the tracks in acid pro...

ok so far so good on the options

Would I need a preamp for the 8track? Cuz if it plugs direct and has it's own boost that woould save a few $.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the feature I'd love the most for my recording. Would either of these softwares allow me to cut/paste pieces of tracks? I realize this is cookie cutter but the recordings are pretty much for me anyway I need to be able to, if a mistake is made during the middle of the 2nd verse for example, to select the mistake part of the track and delete it ...then rewind a bit...hit play again and start singing/recording where the mistake was made and continue the song. Doing an entire song in 1 take would suck

The only recording experience I have was in a Nashville studio w/ the whole protools deal and I watched pretty much everything the engineer was doing on the PC. To have the cut/paste features would be amazing. Especially during recording.

 

[JasonBird]

hi there,
I do exactly what you want to do. I would recomend staying with the computer based format, mainly because i think that you editing options are much greater, and easier to access/perform on a pc, than a standalone unit. I use cakewalk sonar to record and edit with. Spend your money on a couple good microphones, and a good recording interface. I had a delta 44 and it worked flawlessly. there are some really good software demos that you can get for free like acid, and cool edit i think....i've been a cakewalk user for years and have not tried them out. Good luck and let us know when you get something recorded ...
Regards, Jason

 

[manning1]

carter - if i believe in something i use. i recommend it.
i'm not going to recommend something i dont believe in.
what would you have me do ?
recommend something i hate just to keep these ridiculous accusations
from appearing. i'll say it again - i'm just a user with a lot of years
recording. probably before many here were born.
i could say the same thing carter - how do i know you dont work for
a pg competitor.
if you notice i never accuse people of what you accused me. for the umpteenth time - IM JUST A USER !
if you had tried the product carter you would see that powertracks is a very serious products used by loads of music people. just check the pg forums.
i guess you think i'm lying about that TOO !
obviously youve never tried the product, and youve made your mind up in advance.
over and damn angry ..

 

[manning1]

jedi/ heres my best thoughts....
a few decent mics, a yamaha mg mixer, a delta 44 sound card in your barton.
(ask maudio in advance if your pc chipset is fine with the delta before you buy it) and the software i recommended. there are many pg users using delta sound cards. they seem to work well.
for monitors check out yorkvilles.
or if like carter you think i work for pg ....disregard everything ive said, assume i'm a complete lier and get what floats your boat.

 

[manning1]

by the way jedi. yes you can cut and paste till your hearts content, and do many nifty other things like add effects round whole tracks or parts of tracks.
you have 48 tracks at your disposal. if you want to learn more about the product there is a great powertracks user forum at pg full of very nice friendly helpfull people who dont throw things at each other.
you can learn a lot of tips and tricks about recording from them as well as production methods even if you dont end up using what i have.
peace.

 

[NYMorningstar]

carter - if i believe in something i use. i recommend it.
i'm not going to recommend something i dont believe in.
what would you have me do ?
recommend something i hate just to keep these ridiculous accusations
from appearing.

Manning these accusations you claim are rediculous are simply true statements about you spamming these boards with this powertracks software. Check your last 100 posts or more. You've taken it so far that now you are irritating people with it. I would have you just stop it. There's no need for you to advertise this product anymore, we get the message ok?

 

[manning1]

morningstar.
firstly the starter of the thread jedi -
qoute IS ASKING FOR SOLUTIONS - ISNT HE ?
HE WANTS TO RECORD DOESNT HE ? HE MENTIONS DIGITAL SOFTWARE DIDNT HE ? HE SEEMS FLUMMOXED or LOST DOESNT HE ?
heres my position. a newbie comes on this bbs tomorrow.
doesnt bother using the search function. asks for advice.
as he is setting up a studio. is confused by it all.
SO PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU WOULD RESPOND to him.
if you notice there are newbies who come on here asking about
sound cards and a lot of people respond with the same recommendation
made many times before.like audiophile 2496 sound cards ! in your book that makes them spammers as well ?
JUST TELL ME HOW I'M supposed to respond.
if i dont respond - how is the new at sea person the wiser ?
also what about my right to free speech.
if you disagree you can always complain to the board moderator.
fyi i'm an extremely honest individual just trying to help newbies
from my own experiences. what the hell is wrong with that ?

 

[powerlight]

as a newbie...

I find what this guy is saying to be useful.
This section is for new folks who just might not know...
If you've heard what he's said before, ignore it.
Some of us haven't.

Sorry your thread is being hijacked Jedi. I'm getting alot out of this as well, thanks for asking the question....

 

[manning1]

thanks powerlight - that cheered me up.
all i try and do is post with lots of "heart".
ive owned several studios in my time, and while not a perfect human being,
i just try and help stop people making all the stupid mistakes i made when i started up. and hopefully save them their hard earned dollars in the process.
by way of example in another forum on this bbs i suggested out of the blue (in the cubase or cake forum i think) that someone try another product called band in a box which is widely used as a songwriters tool by lots of musicians on both the mac and pc platform as the person had not heard of it. they tried the demo , and messaged back that it was awesome.
now - what if i had not mentioned it ? this person would not have known about it would they ?
see what i mean ? i also recommend lots of other companies products like cad mics, yorkville monitors,pci sound cards, freebies like hotstepper.
i guess i'm also working for all these organisations as well am i ?
definitely not !
I often wonder if certain people dont like me making the recommendations i make because they want to keep me down in the hope i will go away ,
so poor cash starved newbies will buy more expensive products they often dont need !!
thanks again powerlight.

 

[manning1]

also let me say in my defense, over the past few years of trying to help newbies on this bbs from my own heartache experiences in the recording arena,
each time ive made a suggestion - not once has anybody on trying the products ive recommended EVER posted back they were disappointed on trying the product. NOT ONCE ! its really easy to see if i'm lying.
just try my recommended product or technical recording method,
and see if i'm wrong. i only recommend what i and many friends have found to be proven solutions that work.
now i'm going to do track laying and then some shuteye.
peace.

 

[NYMorningstar]

morningstar.
firstly the starter of the thread jedi -
qoute IS ASKING FOR SOLUTIONS - ISNT HE ?
HE WANTS TO RECORD DOESNT HE ? HE MENTIONS DIGITAL SOFTWARE DIDNT HE ? HE SEEMS FLUMMOXED or LOST DOESNT HE ?

I was not talking about jedi. I was talking about you and your response to Carter who is obviously had enough of your spamming as have others here including myself.

heres my position. a newbie comes on this bbs tomorrow.
doesnt bother using the search function. asks for advice.
as he is setting up a studio. is confused by it all.
SO PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU WOULD RESPOND to him.

I'd probably tell them about the search feature and help with his studio setup.
The problem isn't about you helping people. The problem is your position using powertracks as an the answer regardless of the question.

if you notice there are newbies who come on here asking about
sound cards and a lot of people respond with the same recommendation
made many times before.like audiophile 2496 sound cards ! in your book that makes them spammers as well? JUST TELL ME HOW I'M supposed to respond.

That doesn't make them spammers. If someone asks about a soundcard you should tell about soundcards. What you're doing isn't quite the same now is it? When someone asks about a soundcard you tell them about powertracks. If they ask about a mic you tell them powertracks. If they ask about configurations, you tell them powertracks.

if i dont respond - how is the new at sea person the wiser ?
also what about my right to free speech.

No one is saying don't respond. Just stop the spamming for powertracks and you'll stop irritating people.

 

[manning1]

you know morningstar what i sense ?
some people on here might work for vendors, and might just have hidden agendas.maybe its not in their best interests for me to suggest budget
approaches to get the same(or maybe better) results as more expensive solutions.
i also notice you dont attack others who recommend "insert big name vendor" for the umpteenth time. only me. i can only wonder why ?
but if it makes you happy , i'll suggest newbies use the search function more.
anything else you want me to do ? as you seem to want to boss me around ?

 

[NYMorningstar]

you know morningstar what i sense ?
some people on here might work for vendors, and might just have hidden agendas.maybe its not in their best interests for me to suggest budget
approaches to get the same(or maybe better) results as more expensive solutions.

manning no one is saying don't suggest budget approaches. For that matter there are freeware approaches but that's not what your trying to sell is it.

i also notice you dont attack others who recommend "insert big name vendor" for the umpteenth time. only me. i can only wonder why ?

It's because you are spamming the boards, no one else is. I guess if you say something enough times though you believe it and I think you have yourself convinced you're not spamming.

but if it makes you happy , i'll suggest newbies use the search function more.
anything else you want me to do? as you seem to want to boss me around ?[/

Do whatever you like manning, you obviously do anyway. It's not like I care about you. I spoke my peace about your spamming and you won't be hearing from me again about it.

 

[bthiesson]

Hey....manning is just trying to help! For every time he talks about powertracks there are ten guys going on about sonar or cubase etc etc etc.
I just bought this program the other day and I must say that for the very reasonable cost of the software, it seems like a pretty good system, certainly more than adequate for someone just starting. It also comes with one of the better manuals I've seen. Cut the guy some slack, already. A lot of his posts have been very helpful for me, just starting out.