Where do I start.

[Daytrippin]

I am an aspiring guitarist/songwriter who is looking to get a decent sounding demo going without having to spend LOTS of money. I have alot of sound equipment but no recording/mixing devices. I figured using my computer to do the mixing and whatnot would be the cheapest option into the realm of recording. WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS....

What do I need to accomplish my goal of putting together a CD? What software is going to be the best?
Can I use my current soundcard or will is sound like crap?

I just need the basics here folks, I am a tech head but I have never delved into the PC recording world before.

I have 4 computers the best of which has this really nifty 6 channel sound card that came with the soyo motherboard. I have no idea how to use it's capabilities either. It's powered by a 1.3 ghtz AMD with Shitloads of HD space, 512 meg ram, 2 CD burners, a standard CD/DVD rom drive, BLAH BLAH BLAH. Help me out folks. I need it. Thanks in advance.

 

[AlChuck]

Yeah, you should be able to use whatever you already have to start with, with the addition of some recording/sequencing software and possibly some stuff to get the right signal levels into your sound card.

As to what software's "best," no one can really answer that for you. They all do basically the same job, and they all do it a little differently. They all have their own flaws and quirks that you have to deal with. A lot depends on what it is you are after and how willing you are to climb up a learning curve. Often there's a trade-off between ease of use and total control over everything.

The best advice (but the most time consuming) is to download demos of all the stuff you can find, try them out, and see which ones you take to the best. Some possible choices can probably be eliminated right off the bat; I mean, I doubt you will want to get SONAR XL or Logic Platinum if you want to avoid spending lots of money... Each of these major players, though, also sell variants, "lite" versions with fewer power-user features, that are much less expensive.

Now, signals. The only thing that really works OK with a cheap soundcard is line level signals into the line input. (Some have a mic input that has a preamp, but this almost always is of very poor quality). So you need some way to get your stuff (voice and guitar) turned into a line level signal. This typically means a mixer or a stand-alone mic preamp. If the guitar is electric there are other choices -- most modern guitar amps and effects processors have line outputs for recording. Mixers go for $50 or so for a very basic one with at least one mic preamp. You might already have a mixer or something suitable -- a PA mixer, or even a cassette portastudio can serve this purpose.

 

[TexRoadkill]

For the money it is hard to beat the Roland Studio Pack. Digital Mixer, sound card and Logic Audio software for $700.

 

[Shazukura]

.....or.....

There is a LOT involved in putting together a good demo CD. If your primary interest is the music and songwriting you might find yourself spending a lot more time on the minutiae of recording than you really want.

So, do you want a demo in the next few months, or even this year? Or do you want to take the "Boston" approach and spend a ling time tweaking the little things that can make a demo sparkle?

As far as cost, home-recording is a black hole, so don't think you can spend $300 this week and be done -- you WILL be buying more things if you continue to enjoy home-recording.

So my final advice, is to check around and see if perhaps there is someone in your neiborhood with a home studio already and collaborate on your recording with them! Or perhaps, just find a pro studio that will give you a break for recording at 4am or something

Good Luck, Have Fun!

-Shaz

 

[Craig Raymond]

I own the Roland Studio Pack. Execellent value, but terrible documentation, anyone that has never recorded in is for a steep learning curve.

 

[webstop]

Daytrippin,

First get yourself a good soundcard. The choice will depend on how many tracks you want to record at once. I would think two: instrument and vocals. You can always add more instruments later on. There are many sound card with not a lot of inputs, but with mic and guitar preamps. Omni studio and C-port, for example.

Sound cards often come bundled with light editions of recording software. Therefore don't rush buying software, get the card first.

If you want to record just yourself, you don't need a mixer. You can plug mic and guitar directly into the souncard.

What you WILL need is sound monitoring equipment. It can be a pair of active monitor, or amp/speakers combination, but to make decent recording you need hear whats happening.