Specifically, what equipment do I need to interface my guitar with my computer.
I have a media-center Sony tower. I have a sound card built in with an open stereo mini jack, plus 2 sets of audio and video inputs utilizing RCA jacks. I also have a couple if USB ports not in use. How do I physically connect my guitar to the computer in order to record? If I need to buy something, what?
I hope I've asked the right questions and I hope I've given enough "owned" hardware information.
Thank you.
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
Amp line out (if it has one) to soundcard line-in is the easiest way. You may need adapters for your cables to make them fit (e.g., 1/4" to mini). You can get an external USB interface instead, then it would be amp line out to interface to pc (via USB.)
Do NOT use the amp's speaker out jack (for connecting an external speaker cabinet.)
"Everybody got to elevate from the norm."
Amp line out (if it has one) to soundcard line-in is the easiest way. You may need adapters for your cables to make them fit (e.g., 1/4" to mini). You can get an external USB interface instead, then it would be amp line out to interface to pc (via USB.)
Do NOT use the amp's speaker out jack (for connecting an external speaker cabinet.)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=mixers/search/detail/base_pid/631237/
I would agree, but you may wan't to use a cheap mixer , You can get a behringer mixer for about $50-$60 . --the dog
Thanks for the replies.
Saying I hook up the Behringer mixer to my computer, would I adapt the RCA outs to a stereo mini IN on the sound card or go direct stereo patch cable to the Audio RCA in's on the PC?
From there, what software runs the show and allows me to save the sound files? Does Behringer supply any editing software or am I at the mercy of the computers software? (Not knowing what that is at this moment.) Further, what format would/could/should I be saving in and be able to save in?
This is what I was looking at. Would this do the same thing?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/701385/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/184133/
Do these items do the same thing as the Behringer. If so, why spend the extra? If not, what will these do differently?
Thanks again for the education. I'm buying this today or tomorrow.
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
I should also let you all know I do have one of these but haven't figured out how to utilize it's abilities.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/s=mixers/search/detail/base_pid/240280/
Will this do what I want? (Record sound files to my computer.) I have the CD burner but don't have enough stuff recorded yet to compile a CD. Not sure the burner even works.
I've recorded a song to the hard-drive and after having it OFF all summer I was able to find the ON/OFF switch and even found the song I recorded back in May.
I haven't fully digested the abilities of this little gem but just curious if I already have what I need?
Now let's say all things come together as I expect and I can create a sound file on my computer. What do I do with it then? Dog sent me a sound file and I want to be able to do the same thing.
Thanks again!
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
What kind of sound card do you have in your computer? The RCA ins may be digital in puts If they are analog that would be best to use them, other wise you can use a mini jack into the sound card NOT INTO THE MIC JACK :P I just ordered this--
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=computer/search/detail/base_pid/709200/c_lv=1/
I will still need a mixer with it, That lets me mix up to 4 inputs at a time if i need it ( not that I do :D ) But if you mic drums you might want to have that capacity.
I would suggest recording on your PC, a stand alone recorder is cool, I was looking at that one myself, but you would outgrow it soon IMHO. you can record more tracks on the pc a lot cheaper with the interface and a $100 mixer. You would need some mics anyway.
You can download a program called "audacity" Its free and it works well. you can record up to 16 tracks .
I am new to PC recording. This site bacame my mentor on what to buy and how to use it. Hope it helps.
http://tweakheadz.com/setting_up_your_audio_card.htm
I am new to PC recording. This site bacame my mentor on what to buy and how to use it. Hope it helps.
http://tweakheadz.com/setting_up_your_audio_card.htm
Yeah, I like the tweakster too :D :lol: :lol:
Thanks for all the info!
Being the impatient (drummer=timing is everything) putz that I am, I took the bull by the horns and called MF directly.
This is what I ended up with.....
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=mixers/search/detail/base_pid/701385/ and this
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=software/search/detail/base_pid/706731/c_lv=1/
I hope this will give me room to grow. (Especially since I just got hatched today.)
I hope I have everything needed. I was told I could add that Behringer mixer later on. It'll probably be 6 months before anyone hears from me again. I'll be a riffin' SOB. You guys will be sick of me very soon. :oops: :D
I gotta go home and sit on the porch anxiously awaiting my toys. :mrgreen: (Well hello Mr. Green.)
Buh-bye.
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
That sounds like a plan :D I'm waiting on the porch for my m-audio fire-wire too :lol: :lol: New software is next on my agenda ( got to save my lunch money)BTW if you can find what you got from MF at a lower price somewhere else just call MF and they will match the price!! I saved $30.00 on my fire-wire last night :D :D --the dog
Yes, they always have treated me fair. When I was ordering my guitar I told them my local dealer was offering free strings for a year and they matched that without questioning it.
I wanted to ask you, will this allow me to assist you with the ccb project or is there still something I'll need? Listening to it right now. :wink:
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
You should have 2 mp3 files one with a drum track and one with out. you will need some mics unless you can use the electric drums, I'm not shure how that works. How have you been recording your drums untill now :?: --dog
For my electrics, I have the L and R main outputs of the drum module connected to seperate channels of my 14 channel Mackie stereo rack mixer. From there I can record to cassette or to the hard drive of my Fostex Digital recorder. My stuff isn't necessarily out in the public in any way shape or form.
Right now I'm just gathering material and organizing what I've been taping over the last 3 years. I've now got to get the music and words on the same page, so to speak.
This is one reason why I'm thirsty for guitar/music theory. I want to be the best I can and offer up the best my imagination can muster. So far I have tons of ideas "shuffling around" in my head and no place to put them or good ways to get them out. I've been hacking on keyboards as well but the thought of investing 1K into a nice versatile key would be starting further back than I am with guitar.
Plus, guitar I can learn over night, right? :wink: :wink: Yeah, right! :roll:
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
sounds like your in good shape with your mixer, all you need is the fire wire thingy. Let me know how the cakewalk program works for you, I was kinda looking at that also. You might try to download audacity just to play around with it till your cake walk comes. I've talked to guys who use it for editing who have more expensive software but just like it. --the dog
