Computer Recording (starting a new)
Alright I am sure this questions have probably been answered frequently with people "new" the the whole recording thing but I am going to ask in my own topic to stop myself from trudging through endless topics. I am starting a fresh just got a new computer and need advice on what to get to turn it into a computer that I can use for recording, my own playing along with added bass drums and etc. General tips, program suggestions, what microphones to buy and other accessories would be helpful for me to get started.
# 1
I am assuming that you have a pc and not a MAc for this and that you have a reasonable spec by todays standards re RAM, CPU speed etc.
First off you need a good soundcard - you can get by with a creative labs card that comes built into most pc's but for agood music production you will need something more powerful.
You will also need a DAW application for recording, mixing, sequencing, editing and mastering. For this you can download Reaper for free - it's excellent and can do pretty much anything. Get it here:
http://www.reaper.fm/download.php
After that, it depends on how you want to record your guitars, you can either mic them up or go direct via USB (digital) or analgue to a reamp (built into some high end soundcards). The standard good quality entry level instrument mic is the Sure SM57 - however, there is a lot to be said for going direct (via PODxt, Digitech GNX series or Boss GT series etc), especially when you are starting out.
Vocals obviously go in via a mic - lots of choice there depending on your budget.
Lots more to mention.... way too much for this post. Hope this answers some of your questions.
First off you need a good soundcard - you can get by with a creative labs card that comes built into most pc's but for agood music production you will need something more powerful.
You will also need a DAW application for recording, mixing, sequencing, editing and mastering. For this you can download Reaper for free - it's excellent and can do pretty much anything. Get it here:
http://www.reaper.fm/download.php
After that, it depends on how you want to record your guitars, you can either mic them up or go direct via USB (digital) or analgue to a reamp (built into some high end soundcards). The standard good quality entry level instrument mic is the Sure SM57 - however, there is a lot to be said for going direct (via PODxt, Digitech GNX series or Boss GT series etc), especially when you are starting out.
Vocals obviously go in via a mic - lots of choice there depending on your budget.
Lots more to mention.... way too much for this post. Hope this answers some of your questions.
# 2
Hi there,
Just like you, i'm new to recording stuff on the computer and i've posted the sonarcakewalk thread but apparently no one is able to help me out but thats ok, heres what ive found out on my own. Make sure your computer/laptop come equip with a soundcard for it to be able to read the signals that your transmitting via your musical instrument. Without a soundcard you can still record but you wont be able to hear playback. Being able to hear playback is useful in that you can listen to what you've recorded and edit stuff no matter how far you've gone into your music while still in midi/wav format. Midi or wav is the format in which most recording softwares operate with. When your done recording, only then do you convert stuff to mp3s and store it or burn CDs.
Im not going to recommend softwares cuz honestly, i wont know which is better than the other but theres mention of a variety of them in couple threads in here so be sure to check 'em all out. For choices on microphones, evidently an expensive unit generally tend to be better then a less expensive unit but the thing is your going to able to tweek/edit stuff while recording anyway so depending on how much you intend to forkout is entirely up to you. (dont forget the adapter jacks).
Theres also discussions on most softwares not being compatible to windows vista rather than windows XP so you need to figureout what your computer systems hardware can and cannot accept before proceeding.
Thats bout it for now, hope that helped.
cya.
Just like you, i'm new to recording stuff on the computer and i've posted the sonarcakewalk thread but apparently no one is able to help me out but thats ok, heres what ive found out on my own. Make sure your computer/laptop come equip with a soundcard for it to be able to read the signals that your transmitting via your musical instrument. Without a soundcard you can still record but you wont be able to hear playback. Being able to hear playback is useful in that you can listen to what you've recorded and edit stuff no matter how far you've gone into your music while still in midi/wav format. Midi or wav is the format in which most recording softwares operate with. When your done recording, only then do you convert stuff to mp3s and store it or burn CDs.
Im not going to recommend softwares cuz honestly, i wont know which is better than the other but theres mention of a variety of them in couple threads in here so be sure to check 'em all out. For choices on microphones, evidently an expensive unit generally tend to be better then a less expensive unit but the thing is your going to able to tweek/edit stuff while recording anyway so depending on how much you intend to forkout is entirely up to you. (dont forget the adapter jacks).
Theres also discussions on most softwares not being compatible to windows vista rather than windows XP so you need to figureout what your computer systems hardware can and cannot accept before proceeding.
Thats bout it for now, hope that helped.
cya.
# 3
I'd suggest going through the tutorials on my lessons pages.
They basically run you through using Cubase (although any application is similar). The things they use, what steps you take and what to expect.
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=14
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=278
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=14
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=35
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=118
... plus others...
They basically run you through using Cubase (although any application is similar). The things they use, what steps you take and what to expect.
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=14
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=278
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=14
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=35
http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=118
... plus others...
# 4
Wow, I am not going to write as much as you guys did in response but all of the info you gave me is great and helps quite a bit. I am currently in the market for making my first studio so I don't have all the equipment or anything like that yet, as for the tutorials I assume Cubase is a program on the computer and it will come in handy as soon as I get some computer compatible equipment.
Alright now onto the information I need for the current stage I am at (since I didn't tell you my budget and all that.) Right now I got about 500 dollars that I have saved up to start investing in the said studio. What I really need is the name of some products for each part of recording that I can get on the budget of 500 dollars. Thanks again for all previous info and I will be sure to check out the tutorials as soon as I get some equipment.
Alright now onto the information I need for the current stage I am at (since I didn't tell you my budget and all that.) Right now I got about 500 dollars that I have saved up to start investing in the said studio. What I really need is the name of some products for each part of recording that I can get on the budget of 500 dollars. Thanks again for all previous info and I will be sure to check out the tutorials as soon as I get some equipment.
# 5
