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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Ok,
Spent half the day reading back through all the previous postings on this subject and feel totally overwelmed by it all. What happened to just grabbing a tape recorder and pressing record :)
I've got a pretty robust computer but I don't really understand exactly how I go about getting what's coming out of the amp/effects into the computer. Is it as simple as just stepping a 1/4" to an 1/8" plug into the input of the soundcard then feeding it into a software program? I downloaded the PowerTracks Pro audio demo and played with it a little bit. First problems I had was the program said I had no MIDI interface. What the @#@# is a MIDI interface?
As a complete newby to this recording process, would I fair better just buying a complete standalone system like the few that were recommended through Musiciansfriend? Is all that equipment really make life easier than being able to manipulate the software tracks?
I'm about to the point of just going downtown and paying for an hour in the recording booth....need some opinions folks. What's worked for some of the other's that were working on this earlier this year? Moody, did you get anywhere with your efforts?
I really want to get a submission in for the OFC Nightout Vol. 2 :D
Thanks,
Aloha_Tim | |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Tim,
If the computer route seems overwelming for you then consider the standalone unit like the Korg, Boss, Zoom, etc.
Depending on the complexity of what you want to record, you could get by with a 4-track or 8 track and have plenty of fun.
If you plan on adding orchestration, multiple vocals, individual drum tracks, etc., the 12 or 16 track units would be better.
They all have drum kits built in and most of them now have effects.
The biggest downside is you don't have the editing capabilites with them that you have with the DAWs but the learning curve is much much easier!
Tell us your price range and needs and I am sure that myself, Waskel, Tuppy, and several others can help steer you in the right direction. | |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Hi Stephen,
Was looking to stay under $500. Not as concerned so much with cost as I am space. Housing in Hawaii isn't know for excess space, I'm shoehorned into a very small two bedroom 1000sqft place. That was one of the reason' for looking at a computer based setup.
I wanted to be able to lay down two guitars, a drum, maybe a keyboard and a couple vocal tracks. I've got a casio keyboard with drum pad that outputs midi, a 1/4" standard microphone, 3 amps, a zoom 9000 effects box. I figured to input each track individually into a software package and mix them manual. I did want the ability to edit them, hence the desire to stay away from some of the stand alone stuff.
Is there a need for an additional soundcard or midi device or should I be able to plug everything into the microphone jack?
Thanks,
Tim | |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 55
Location: Pennsylvania | You may want to take a look at this...
Presonus Firebox
It comes with pretty good recording software, is easy to use, and has 2 intrument/mic inputs, as well as 2 line inputs. You will need a fire wire card (if you don't allready have one), but they don't cost much (under 50 bucks).
It's what i use to do all my recording, and has served me well. I disabled my PC's on board sound card, and configured the Firebox to be my sound card, or you could use them seperately as well.
Hope this helps. | |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | That sounds like a pretty nice system for the money.
There are also some USB interfaces that go for alot less. I have a Tascam US-224 that I paid about $150 for but it doesn't have quite the capability of the firewire system.
There is a bit of a learning curve on these units but they work quite well. | |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Toronto | Hey Tim, all you may need is a joystick to midi interface. Most pc's have a gamers port on them and for $25 you can get the proper cable and voila - you now have midi. You should be all set to go the.
Like t28 said - the standalone unit has a much easier learning curve, where as the pc route gives you much more options but each one has it's own unique set of clitches.
My personal recommendation if you go the PC route and you already have a good PC is to get a pro-audio sound card that will give you all the interfaces and connections you need including firewire, midi, & usb. I personal have an EMU1820 by Creative Labs - but they have a few other models that will give you what you need at a good price point. If you want to go PC (and with space considerations maybe what you want) then - get a decent sound card and you will then have everything you need - after that it's just time and patience.
Dano | |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Tim, go to Homespun Videos. Roger McGuinn did a dvd on recording on your computer. It pretty clearly explains what's needed and how the basics work. | |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I've heard good things about the FireBox, but bear in mind ALL FireWire interfaces can be finicky, and if you're not used to dealing with them, you can spend a lot more time trying to get it working than recording. I love my M-Audio FireWire 1814, but I still have to mess with it once in a while when I move it between machines.
I haven't found a USB unit I was happy with yet. Audio latency and transfer rates still seem to be a problem.
Most F/W systems work well (although more expensive), depending on the manufacturer and the quality and stability of the drivers.
For entry level I would really recommend a PCI card, like the M-Audio Audiophile 192. They have a midi interface, 1/4" audio i/o everything you need to get started, without the confusing learning curve. I know these work, I used an Audiophile 2496 to record for years.
IMO, avoid anything that hasn't been on the market for at least 6 months, as it usually takes that long for driver issues to be sorted out. | |
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Home recording - again...