Solo recording during my uni years.

Posted on

Member Since: May 07, 2008

Hi there.

After having recorded an album with my band (www.facebook.com/pages/Th...149?ref=share), I still have absolutely no recording experience. I was in a studio, and the technician just asked me to play the parts he needed, when I wasn't happy with the sound i'd try to explain to him what I wanted etc... The result is satisfying, but i'm not 100% happy. (Ok, I had 4 days to record it all, so after all, it's not too bad).

Anyway, I'm living the country because I'm going to study in Fance for 3 years. During that time, I would like to come up with a solo album of my own.
I would like to make a mostly instrumental CD, based on the guitar (my instrument), with a nice proffessional sound.

Ok, here are a few questions:
What is the best software I could use, knowing that I have a VAIO AR series laptop (performance shouldn't be an issue)? I would need something that to wich I could link a midi controller, that could also generate drums, bass and other Midi controlled instruments. I'm going to buy a soundcard soon, but due to weight limitations, I can't affor to take a compressor or pre amp with me. That means that the software would have to include it all.

Something else: I have an accoustic guitar with a Fishman pickup. Can I record directly from the pickup, or do I need to take it from a mic, as in the studio? I might have noisy roomates, that's why I am asking.

Ok, that would be all for now. Thanks for reading till the end haha, and thanks in advance for your help.


Flo.

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


May 07, 2008 08:27 am

as for 'best' software there really isn't one, it's all personal preference and workflow. all the majors will be fine for what you need (Sonar, Cubase, Pro Tools, etc.) just depends on you budget.

recording acoustic guitars with a pickup generally yields an unnatural sound (harsh mids, no ambiance and what not) i personally can't stand the sound of them when recording...they're more handy in a live situation with a band. i'd look into a good mic, which will be a whole 'nother thread here....cuz that'll open up a whole ball of things to deal with.

i'd look into an interface that has built in preamps and comes bundled with some free "lite" software to get started. if you're gonna use the pickup, i'd look into some kind of line 6 type preamp to use with it.

if you want a pro sound, you're gonna hafta dish out quite a bit of money, i can think of a two channel interface, mic, preamp, monitors and room treatment that will run you upwards of $5,000 quite quickly. of course you don't really need to spend all that kinda money to get a damn good sound.

welcome to HRC!

wyd

Member
Since: May 07, 2008


May 07, 2008 08:56 am

Hey, thanks for the quick answer.

As for the room treatement, that's out of the question, as I will be living in a dorm. Can't imagine the face of my roomate haha!
I won't use monitors: I already have some pretty fancy Beierdynamic headphones, I think that should do. As I said I can't afford to take much hardware with me, my laptop and a sound card will have to do, eventually a mic.
I was thinking of Sonar (I don't have any budget limitations concerning software), but I really don't know which version to buy. There is the home recording package, the suite, etc... Any advice? Basiclally, I'm looking for something that can repalce a band (drums, bass, synth and all the stuff) as well as all the fancy gear (I guess that would mean amp simulators and so on)

Ok forgive my ignorance, but was is a line 6 type pre amp?



Cheers!

(PS: I forgot to mention in my first post that english isn't my mother tongue, so please forgive the mistakes :-)


Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


May 07, 2008 09:08 am

ok, i use Sonar 3 Producer Edition, i think now they're up to version 7....go with the fullest version, sonar is my personal favorite of all the recording applications out ther, so drop the money on version 7 producer edition...that's the full version.

line 6 is a guitar amplifier company that specializes in digital effects, some are quite nice. but i guess you won't be needing that all that much.

your headphones will be enough to get by for now.

so i guess that leaves you needing an interface, does you computer have firewire or usb 2.0?

Member
Since: May 07, 2008


May 07, 2008 09:24 am

Hey,

I'll go for Sonar 7 then.
Yes, my computer has USB 2.0, as well as firewire, the 4 pin version though.

I just had a look at the recording tips on HRC, and yes, I found the word I was looking for: Direct injection. That's the technique on which I'd like to base the recording. That applies for Guitar and Bass, all the rest would have to be computer generated via a Midi keyboard. Can Sonar do that? And does it have a "sound library"? you know, an extended choice of drum sounds, guitar amp simulators and so on...

Is the Vamp worth something???


Cheers.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


May 07, 2008 09:35 am

oh yeah, sonar can do all of that and then some.

i'll let the others here chime in on the v-amp because i've never used it.

try to find an interface that has midi in/out and a guitar "high-z" input. alot of the newer interfaces will have this, as recording guitars direct has become quite popular.

by the way, your english is better than mine! where are you from?

Member
Since: May 07, 2008


May 07, 2008 09:57 am

Ok, I'll look for a few soundcards and let you know if I hesistate...

Haha, I'm not sure my English is better than yours ;-). I'm actually French, but I live in Cambodia...

Uhm, what's a high-z input? Is it like a High gain in on an amp?

BTW, great forum, could read for hours!!

Member
Since: May 07, 2008


May 07, 2008 12:07 pm

Ok, I need some help.
i didn't know there were thousand of interfaces. Who'syourdaddy, can you gve me an example of a high-z card with midi?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


May 07, 2008 09:55 pm

ya, you'll find Sonar 7 Producer Edition is fully loaded with every possible tool you could need from start to finish. Sonar has been my DAW of choice for the many years.

Sonar comes with some interesting software instruments that should fill every void you need filled as well so that is a big bonus.

As for the audio interface, would you be using USB or Firewire? That will help make the choice a bit easier.

Member
Since: May 07, 2008


May 08, 2008 02:17 am

Hey...Sonar 7 producer is installed and running! I still have to find the interface, but i'll read a tutorial meanwhile, to get to know the software a bit.

Uh, I think USB would be more convenient for my laptop, the ports are easier to acces.

Thanks for your advice guys!

Kaos is only a form of insanity
Member
Since: Feb 03, 2005


May 08, 2008 10:29 am

Florian, Just as a side note, Where in france will you be studying?? I have lived over here (France that is) for the last 7 years now.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


May 08, 2008 09:37 pm

Wow, you sure got Sonar fast.

I had to wait 2 weeks for mine to be delivered, after I ordered it.

Member
Since: May 07, 2008


May 09, 2008 06:39 am

@ Kaose: I'm following the Sciences Po program that specializes in Asian foreign affairs: 2 years in Le Havre, 1 in Japan and two in Paris. It's quite an opportunity...Where do you live? And where are you actually from?

@ Noize: Yeah well there is a shop just around the corner, and as the owner is my best friend, I got it at a VERY discounted price. (That's why I said I had no limit when it comes to software =p)

Well sonar is installed, but I can't get beep out of it. And that's weird because project 5 works fine...Well maybe I'll cross that bridge when I get the interface.

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