Recording software

[chet wisner]

I'm wanting to record solo acoustic and voice via the computer, without having to purchase expensive mixers. Nothing fancy, but would like to have some quality, then simply upload to YouTube.

I have currently a cheap mic that does well enough I think.

Can you recommend any free software?

thank you all,

chet

[chrisweyers]

I think Audacity may be free. But I've been using Reaper's free 30-day trial for about 2 months now, lol.

[chet wisner]

Thanks Chris. I do have audacity, but I'm darned if I know what to do with it. What I do is I make my video of my singing and playing, but with the cheap mic and cam I have, the quality isn't that great. One thing is the video, it's a bit out of sync as to the audio and video. My mic is Dynex DX54 and cam is logitech.

Anyhow, what am I supposed to be able to do with Audacity? Lame questions I know, but I appreciate any help.

[chrisweyers]

Well, I've never actually used Audacity, myself, so I'm not sure I can help you too much. But for something like a simple youtube video, you should be able to do what you need with just your video editing software. But if you're really going for a professional look and sound, you may want more. Here's what I would try:

For a more simple video, record a few test runs and adjust cameras, mics, amps, speakers, whatever your using to find what creates the best sound. For me personally, I play electric and I like to play it loud. I had some speakers playing the backing track near me, perpendicular from the camera and loud enough that I could hear it, but low enough that it wasn't picked up by the mic too much (which was just the camera's built in mic). My amp was just a few feet away from the camera, but facing me. This way, it was picked up by the mic well, but it wasn't blowing it out. Later, when I edited the video, I put the back track on top of the video and set the volume so that everything sounded nice.

Now it sounds like you don't have all that equipment. If all your trying to do is play some acoustic and sing along, you should be able to do that just fine with just your camera and video editing software. I wouldn't even bring audacity into the picture.

However, If your going professional, nice backdrop, good lighting, all that, Then yes, you might want to play with audacity a bit. Since I don't know exactly what you have in mind, the simplest example would be the acoustic sing along, if it could all be done in one take. In this case, set everything up, and record the audio and video at the same time, render the audio from audacity (after editing it to your satisfaction) and put it over the video after deleting the video's original audio. You'll just have to do your best to get it in sync.

If it is more complicated than just playing and singing (harmonies or whatnot) what I would recommend is you record the whole song with audacity start to finish until your satisfied. Then record yourself playing along with it. Record playing all and with every part and harmony, everything you want in the video. Put them in your video editor, delete all the audio, slap your recording in there and tweak everything until it's in sync.

Wow, sorry that was so long. But I hope it helps

[RickBwarn]

I'll pass another vote your way that Audacity is great for what you're doing. As long as you're not using fancy hardware that it doesn't like it's a great program.

However you won't get a good recording of either the guitar or vocals with that microphone. (unless you're REALLY lucky) - when I've tried using a computer mic for recording I get a really nasally recording that makes me never want to sing aloud again whereas I can hear through my PA system that my voice is just fine.

I don't have a cheap solution for you. If you fork over $300 for a high end mini disc walkman the new one's can record at 24 bit and full wave - no compression - then you can dump the recording onto your computer. You can buy a mic for the MD walkmen that would be better. You'd have to record vocals and guitar separate and plug your guitar into the MD players input - if you don't have a pickup on your guitar you can get one of those sound hole cover pickups.. they're not the best and will pick up a fair bit of feedback if you're in a poor room (acoustically)

Another "cheap" solution I would say is to get a Pod Studio or an old UX1 or UX2 Toneport - they can record vocals and guitar simultaneously - but then Audacity is going to crap out on you and you'll have a hell of a time recording anything until you use a different and commercial program. I'd recommend acquiring Adobe Audition simply because it works fabulous and isn't as complicated as Cubase, Ableton, or similar programs. Of course Pod Studio's are around $300 and Adobe Audition is around $300. :) Not to mention whether or not you need a guitar pickup and that you'd need a better Mic.

For basic home recordings a Shure SM-58 is perfect. But that'll run you about $100. Fabulous quality though. Rugged and reliable but with a great sound.

Although this blurb about the Shure mic makes me think......."A highly effective, built-in spherical filter minimizes wind and breath "pop" noise. " You may want to go back to your little Dynex and tape some paper towel in front of it (but not on it) to block the hissing and wind from your voice headed towards the microphone. Maybe you could get some better use out of what you've got that way.

I've seen a friend use paper towel as a cheap sound diffuser in front of a condenser mic. Works just as well as anything you'd pay $50+ for to use as a filter in a studio :)

[guitarplayer196]

None of the music recording softwares are just press record and go - They all require some level of learning and experimentation to be able to create a decent recording. the simplest solutions are standalone digital recorders which also have built-in mics that work decent, like the Boss MicroBR which can be had for around $150. I have a Boss BR-600 which has a lot of capability for $300 but it still takes a bit of time to create a song from start to finish. But the nice thing is once you get familiar with it, you can lay down a guitar track very easily, which is great if you come up with an idea you want to capture. As far as sofwares go, Tracktion 3 by Mackie is probably the most user friendly, but they are all a bit complex