TOTAL Recording Newbie
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Posted on Jul 24, 2007 02:45 pm
Shaymo
Member Since: Jul 24, 2007
Hi All,
I am a 40 year amateur guitarist with a great desire to be able to record my guitar and add drums and bass and all that. I haven't much money and have seen free recording software available on the internet.
1. Is the free stuff any good? and if so, which would you recommend?
2. How do I get started, what do I need and how user friendly is the software, I have a tendancy to give up easily if it's the least bit challenging (I know, it's sad!)
3. Is anyone prepared to help me step by step?
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Jul 24, 2007 02:56 pm I would say for starters read a few of the articles in the computer section of tips, there are some articles there just for newbies, step by step, what you need, etc.
And yeah, some of the free stuff is quite decent...
Welcome to HRC.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jul 24, 2007 02:58 pm Quote:
1. Is the free stuff any good? and if so, which would you recommend?
Kristal Audio Engine is free, plus there's a few others for free out there, but Kristal seems to be the favorite.
Quote:
2. How do I get started, what do I need and how user friendly is the software,
You'll need a PC (with soundcard, at least), microphone, preamp, and software. Speakers and/or headphones will be needed too.
Quote:
I have a tendancy yo give up easily if it's the least bit challenging
This may not be the field for you, as it seems there's always something to figure out. But, simple setups are pretty easy to keep running once you figure it out.
Quote:
3. Is anyone prepared to help me step by step?
I don't know about that, but people are pretty helpful on here. There's a few articles on here about getting started, and what you'll need. I know bleak wrote one up a while ago . . .
www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=581
There it is.
And here's another:
www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=508
ShaymoMember
Since: Jul 24, 2007
Jul 24, 2007 02:58 pm I will, thank you so much.
which free stuff would you recommend as being easy to use, y'know "for dummies"
ShaymoMember
Since: Jul 24, 2007
Jul 24, 2007 03:00 pm can you recommend a preamp?
Jul 24, 2007 03:08 pm No, we demand one :-)
Seriously tho, ya can't get much of a decent sound from a microphone without one...there are loads of decent ones out there...
Nothing worth anything comes easy, but then I really can't tell another 40 year old that...it not a matter of knowing that, it's a matter of caring at our age.
www.traverso-daw.org is a free app I was just made aware of, might be worth checking out...Kristal is cool, but has no MIDI/softsynth type functions though, but most free stuff is limited somehow...
ShaymoMember
Since: Jul 24, 2007
Jul 24, 2007 03:27 pm Is a preamp software or hardware? Or is is a box that the mic has to be plugged into and the preamp connected to the recording software?
Jul 24, 2007 03:30 pm A preamp is hardware that the microphone plugs in to to set the signal level to a strength that can be utilized by recording gear.
Often times people get a cheap mixer (like a little Behringer 8 track www.homerecordingconnecti...uct=BEHXENTX802 for $60 or something) as each of the microphone inputs of a mixer have a preamp.
ShaymoMember
Since: Jul 24, 2007
Jul 24, 2007 03:34 pm Fabulous! does a preamp such as this typically plug right into a sound card or do you need a specific type of sound card?
And what kind of cable is used to connect the preamp to the card?
Jul 24, 2007 03:37 pm Well, the cables needed varies, whatever type of output is on the mixer (typically two mono 1/4" jacks for stereo output) is one end, and whatever input is on the sound card is the other end (typically a stereo 1/8" jack if it's a standard SoundDisaster type card or 1/4" or RCA if it's a semi-pro or pro card).
ShaymoMember
Since: Jul 24, 2007
Jul 24, 2007 03:40 pm Thank you so very much, i am going to shop for a small preamp and mic, as I have a PC, speakers, and will try a couple of different free softwares that you guys have recommended.
I will post my success or failure.
Jul 24, 2007 03:46 pm Glad to help, looking forward to hearing how you come along...it'll be a mind-screw for a bit, but you'll get it.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jul 24, 2007 04:49 pm What kind of guitar will you be recording? Electric? acoustic? through an amp? direct into the computer?
These questions can change what type of mic you're looking for, or how bad you'll really need one.
Will you be recording vocals?
If you're only going to be recording electric guitar through the amp, then a shure sm57 would be the ticket. If you're going to be recording acoustic guitar, and maybe vocals, then a condensor mic may be a better choice (or one of each).
Also, you could get a modelling device, like a POD or such, and use that to send signal to your PC interface.
As far as software, I've been using Reaper to good success. Free to try, unlimited time, and 40$ to register. Pretty full featured, and easy to use, plus there's lots of documentation and some tutorials on the site. www.reaper.fm
Jul 24, 2007 05:52 pm Quote:
I have a tendancy to give up easily if it's the least bit challenging (I know, it's sad!)
this one will end up biting you in the butt if you're not carefull...
starting from scratch and learning how to record on a computer has quite a bit of a learning curve....composing/playing/recording/mixing/mastering are all seperate skills in their own, and there are plenty of 'masters' of single skills, and you're wanting to do them all.
there's NOTHING easy about recording, unless you just need a 'scratch-pad' to remember ideas....but as soon as you start showing what you record to others, you're gonna want to start to make it sound "more professional". it's THE curse of the home-recordist.
sorry to be a downer, i'm just keepin' it real.
all the best,
wyd
and welcome to HRC!
Jul 24, 2007 06:01 pm also it's a money pit!
if you want to put out 'my little demo'
you're atleast gonna need some good speakers (monitors prefered), some ok headphones, a dedicated audio interface (usb or firewire for ease-of-use) and atleast one good mic (condensor if you're gonna sing). oh, and a computer that can handle audio well.....not the family e-mail one. so i'd say you're talking $500-$1k minimal inital investment....i'm only sayin' this because i noticed you're intrest in free & cheap stuff...hell, who's not?
then you've got to get your 'tracking room' sounding it's best....there are many creatively cheap ways to do this, but it takes time to learn...
you might want to consider a standalone multitrack recorder, it comes with a nice thick manual that'll walk you through most things and is a good 'all-in-one' package.
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
Jul 25, 2007 10:29 am free software..
ardour is pretty decent, been using that for recording drums lately, gives you as many tracks at once as you have inputs for. it is a little more complex than most in some respects, at least it doesn't seem so intuitive.
i tried reaper but it wasn't ready for mac at the time, i hear they've just released a new version. PC has been ready for ages, it's not free, it's $30, but i know a lot of people really rate it.
audacity is really simple - and free, only two tracks at once now though, strange but true - still decent and very simple though.
all of these are googlable.
