Ok, I really want to start doing this(in about a month actually)
I want to record music that I write. What would be the best way to do this. I don't have much money, but if I need more I can come up with it.
this will open your eyes
First you need to set your goals a bit more clearly. What do you want to record, how many tracks at a time, are you going to use a computer ... if all you want is an electric guitar and already have a computer, that's very easy. Or even you just singing with an acoustic guitar into a cheap PC mic. Very different if you want to record a whole band...
--vink
"Life is either an adventure or nothing" -- Helen Keller
Right now I just want to record my electric guitar onto my computer.
So, to do this, what would I need to buy and about how much would it cost.
ok. I spent some more time looking at Tweakhedz.com.
a ton of info there.
the most basic way.to record your guitar is to simply plug into your soundcard.
soundcards take (typically) a 1/8" jack. get a 1/4" adapter.
plug in your guitar keeping the volume down.
next you need a program to accept and record.
Audacity is a free download.
fairly simple to use. found on the web.
with Audacity you click on Line In so it knows where the signal is coming from.
that is the simplest way I have found.
remember, I am new at this.
others should post and correct me or offwer advice.
good luck.
but do spend some time over at Tweakheadz.
Audicity is free software so that won't cost much. Then it's just a matter of connecting to your computers soundcard. If you don't have one you'll need to get one. I don't record much but I just connected my guitar straight into the sound card. I just had to buy an adapter to reduce the guitar cable to the smaller size needed for the card(Sorry I don't know what the actual size is but it was a std guitar cable to those mini jax)
Once your in Audacity it's pretty easy. I was able to record in a few minutes without reading any manual etc.
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
Forget audacity. Pick up reaper -- http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
it is far superior to Audacity in every respect. You can use it free for a month, after that you're required to buy it for $40 -- but it is not crippleware and will continue to work.
Honestly, however, it's nearly as good as software costing 10x as much. It really is worth the 40 bucks.
You'll want a DI box to plug into on your way to your sound card.
That's all you need.
Eventually you'll want to get a decent pre-amp and mic, and then mic your amp rather than plugging in directly. But wait till you get some experience before worrying about it.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST
Audicity is free software so that won't cost much. Then it's just a matter of connecting to your computers soundcard. If you don't have one you'll need to get one. I don't record much but I just connected my guitar straight into the sound card. I just had to buy an adapter to reduce the guitar cable to the smaller size needed for the card(Sorry I don't know what the actual size is but it was a std guitar cable to those mini jax)
Once your in Audacity it's pretty easy. I was able to record in a few minutes without reading any manual etc.
guitar cable size from 1/4 inch to sound card size at 1/8 inch.
How would I add effects to the music, or could I.
If you're recording via a mic -- then just play your effects chain as you normally do.
If you're plugging into the computer, then use effects plug-ins to add the effects there.
Reaper ships with a fair collection of effects, and there are a zillion more out there ranging from free to hundreds of dollars ...
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST
How would I add effects to the music, or could I.
you can, just as the above poster says.
never ever plug in with Line Voltage. meaning plugging your guitar into your amp and plugging that into the soundcard. no no no!
one thing I am experiencing with recording: I love my effects chain. Ive worked hard over the uyears to get my tone. my amp, and stomp boxes work great. I am used to live playing.
plugging my effects chain into my recording however will take some getting used to. my sound does not sound the same in the recording. I have work to do.
I feel an enormous removal from real once I plug into my computer.
a lot like driving some one elses car .
I hope it feels normal after awhile.
Why is reaper better than Audacity? Thanks.
Older Newbie
Audacity has at least two major weaknesses :
-Doesn´t support ASIO2 drivers ( that is neccesary for low delay/latency between tracks) .
- Doesn´t support the graphical interface of VST (Effect) plugins, wich make the use of effect plugins complicated.
Therefore I prefer to use the other free recording sw "Kristal Audio Engine" together with the free ASIO2 driver "Asio4All".
Kalle
Tanglewood TW28STE (Shadow P7 EQ) acoustic
Yamaha RGX 320FZ electric guitar/Egnater Tweaker 15 amp.
Yamaha RBX 270 bass/Laney DB 150 amp.
http://www.soundclick.com/kalleinsweden
Why is reaper better than Audacity? Thanks.
It's just a better written, better maintained, and better architecture for a DAW package.
It has lots of little features that show a true understanding of how real people use DAW software that are simply missing from the free packages.
The developers are also a lot more responsive to the community. There are usually new patches daily to fix either very minor issues, or to add small features that have gotten the nod in the forums.
At the same time, it's extremely tightly written code.
People have left PT, Sonar and Logic for Reaper. No one is leaving those platforms for Audacity and Krystal.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST
I'll have to check it out :D
