Description
First let's talk about the most basic components in a personal recording setup.
In a digital setup, we have two main components: a computer and what's called an audio interface. I'm sure you know what a computer is, and the interface is a small unit which covers a handful of different functions, the main one being that it converts the audio signal into digital information. Most interfaces have a port for plugging an instrument straight into it without using a mic. This is useful for recording the pickup system in an acoustic guitar, which we'll talk about in the next lesson, but it can also be used for an electric bass or guitar. The interface also typically has one or more microphone inputs. These inputs are called preamps because they amplify the microphone signal, which is typically very quiet when it comes out of the mic.
One of the most important things when it comes to recording is to adjust how much or how little you amplify this signal, which is typically controlled by a little knob labeled gain. If you were recording a super quiet and delicate finger picking guitar you'd have to turn the gain way up, and vice versa if you were recording a crazy loud guitar amp you'd have to turn the gain way down. It's usually good to aim for the signal to go up 2/3rds of the way up.
If it goes up too high you get some really ugly distortion and if it's too quiet, you'll get a bunch of unwanted noise when you turn it up later.
So those are the two main components you use to record: the computer and an interface. Then you can connect speakers and headphones to that as well.
Lesson Info
