Where do I start

[flex22]

Hello, I'm a newbie here and I'm looking for advice on where to start.

I do play the guitar, and I would like to record my music onto my computer.

I would also like to record voice onto my computer also.

I need to record voice in order to dictate which piece of music, or which scale I am practising.

So, for instance I could say "The C Major scale" and then play the scale on my guitar.

I've posted this here because I want to know what I need to record generally.I will not only use it for guitar music.I will use it to record voice, as well.

Basically, I'm comfortable with computers because that's what I work at.

What I need to know is what software and hardware do I need to start off.

I don't have much money to spend on this at the moment and I don't want to specialize at the moment, with mixing and all that.

I just to know where to begin.

Thanks!

PS: Great Site.

 

[ron82]

i was you, not too long ago.

now i have spent all my money on microphones, cables, mixers, monitors, cables, a second computer (ok that was actually another story..) and record my whole band. LOL

if you consider singing also, you should definitely get a decent microphone, like THE shure sm57 (or 58 - prefered for vocals because of the way the grill is shaped..)

its cheap and good, even the pros use it

but also, with using a decent mic comes using a decent pre-amp (the signal coming out of a mic needs to be boosted to a useable level) - that means u need a mixer with XLR input(s) (cheap ones: behringer), or an external preamp, and of course decent cables.. - and that means money..

but with that equipment, you could also mic your guitar amp, if u r not satisfied with the line-out signal..
or do u mean acoustic guitar? then you will need a mic anyway (or it has a pickup..).

but theres more - even if you have all that equipment.. you probably wont get decent results, if u use the regular soundcard that came with your computer!

but yea that depends on how good u want the results to be..

as for software.. you wont need any comlex mixing program, if you just record your guitar and some speaking.. i personally cant recommend any "small" programs that would fit your needs, tho..
maybe have a look at http://download.com ? im pretty sure there will be freeware that does all u need

 

[bsanfordnyc]

I think N-Track is a good start. YOu can download it for free and use most of the features without paying to register. It will allow you to records multiple layers of tracks of anything you can records, guitar, vocals. The number of tracks is only limited by your computer's capacity.

It also has Volume meters to help you prevent clipping while recording.

I guess a good microphone would be the only other thing you need for now. Ooh, also you would want headphones while recording so that you don't record feedback from the other tracks that you are playing on top of.

N-Track is available at Download.com or you can search for its webpage