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Question about Audacity?

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(@medarrah)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 103
Topic starter  

What is the best way to record what your playing on Audacity? Pluging the Guitar Directly into the computer, or something else? Ive been trying to get a good sound with it, but It sounds pretty bad. I dont know if its my playing (probably :oops: ) or if I need something hook up to the computer.
Right now, Im putting it right into the computer.

Any Advice would be appreciated. :)


   
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(@dogbite)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
 

the quality of the sound you hear is only as good as the soundcard in the computer. my computer has a soundblaster pci card. when I ordered the new computer it came with the latest edition. I have to say my computer sounds better than my stereo.
I did add desktop speakers and a small subwoofer to the system. that made things much better.
I don't know what sound system you are using.

I have Audacity but don't record my guitar (I use it to make digital from analog records). I did plug in direct once and recorded. it sounded good, like my guitar would without effects and stuff. again, the soundcard has to be good otherwise it could sound the way you describe.

I use an audio interface now and have big monitors so it is pretty cushy here.
a lot of people just plug in and it sounds great. and maybe it does but you can't tell
.
if you post more details of your gear I am sure others will help.
good luck.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
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(@kent_eh)
Noble Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 1882
 

I agree with Dogbite that the quality of soundcard makes a world of difference.
In my case, I have a crappy input on my soundcard, and it's pretty obvious when you listen back.

I bought one of these and now my guitar sounds like it's supposed to (quality of my playing notwithstanding).

I wrapped a newspaper ’round my head
So I looked like I was deep


   
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(@medarrah)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 103
Topic starter  

Im using my laptop. (is that okay to use?)
Thats probably why. The quality stinks. Ill have to look up some info about that cable (if it'll work on a laptop.)


   
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(@voidious)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 151
 

I use my laptop (I have a MacBook) and the sound is about the same as through my practice amp (comparing it w/headphones on each). Still, you can't really expect a laptop to have a high end soundcard... most probably just use some on-board sound (built into the motherboard) instead of a separate card, for cost and size reasons.

Maybe I'm wrong, but don't you need some amp modeling in there somewhere before you could expect a decent sound? A USB audio interface seems a good solution, and is what I'll be getting soon - you plug into that, it connects via USB (you bypass the soundcard here), and it also should come with software to do the amp modeling. We were just talking about this in another thread, but I forget where; anyway, here's the one I'm looking at:

http://www.line6.com/toneport/

-- Voidious


   
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(@medarrah)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 103
Topic starter  

I was thinking about downloading audacity onto my other computer (full size :?: ) too, so, would that make much of a difference?


   
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(@smokindog)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5345
 

What is the best way to record what your playing on Audacity? Pluging the Guitar Directly into the computer, or something else? Ive been trying to get a good sound with it, but It sounds pretty bad. I dont know if its my playing (probably :oops: ) or if I need something hook up to the computer.
Right now, Im putting it right into the computer.

Any Advice would be appreciated. :)

Sound card will make a difference, but you can still get OK results with a fairly crappy sound card.The biggest problem will me clipping. You should invest in a cheap mixer (about $50-60). going directly in the PC is not going to get very good results.You should mike the amp or if your amp has a line out connect that to the mixer and the mixer to the PC. Also a laptop will work just fine. ken

Oh yea, Audacity works just fine, it has its limitation but is easy to use and its free :D

My Youtube Page
http://www.youtube.com/user/smokindog
http://www.soundclick.com/smokindogandthebluezers

http://www.soundclick.com/guitarforumjams


   
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(@ricochet)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 7833
 

Yes, you need an amp.

I've recorded mine with a simple desktop computer mic recording the sound in the room. Takes playing around a bit to get the level right.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."


   
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(@medarrah)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 103
Topic starter  

You should mike the amp or if your amp has a line out connect that to the mixer and the mixer to the PC. Also a laptop will work just fine. ken

What do you mean to "Mike the Amp?"
Is http://www.floridamusicco.com/proddetail.asp?prod=porta02&partner=froogle the kind of thing your talking about? Or something else? (I found it much cheaper on craigslist. http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ele/370971856.html << is that too cheap?)


   
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(@smokindog)
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Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5345
 

You should mike the amp or if your amp has a line out connect that to the mixer and the mixer to the PC. Also a laptop will work just fine. ken

What do you mean to "Mike the Amp?"
Is http://www.floridamusicco.com/proddetail.asp?prod=porta02&partner=froogle the kind of thing your talking about? Or something else? (I found it much cheaper on craigslist.)

You could use that, I use a Tascam 424 for a mixer.But this behringer this would work much better and at 1/3 the price. This has a pre-amp for condenser mics (for later on) .

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Xenyx-802?sku=631263X

My Youtube Page
http://www.youtube.com/user/smokindog
http://www.soundclick.com/smokindogandthebluezers

http://www.soundclick.com/guitarforumjams


   
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(@medarrah)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 103
Topic starter  

Thanks a bunch. I'll look into that link you posted. :)


   
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