Low Budget PC Recording

Posted on Mar 17, 2003 03:27 pm
Jetstream
Member Since: Mar 17, 2003

I would like to be able to record rythm guitar on my PC and play leads over it. Eventually, I may want to add keys and percussion to the tracks.

I currently have a Dell Pentium 4, 1.8GHz, 40GB hard drive with 256MB RAM and an ADI 1885 Sound Max audio card.

I'm considering using a Guitar Port as pre-amp and either Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro or Cubasis VST 4.0 for recording.

Here are my questions for the board:

Can I use my stock audio card?

Will I need more RAM?

Are there other pre-amps I should consider?

Should I go with Cakewalk or Cubasis (or another program)?

Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

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dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 17, 2003 03:37 pm

Can I use my stock audio card? I dunno, what is your stock card? Based on the answer I think you will give I will say, yes you can, but it would probably be less then stellar results.

Will I need more RAM? 256MB is good, more is always better but you should be fine for a while.

Are there other pre-amps I should consider? I have never used guitar port, but it sounds cool. I am a POD user myself and it rocks.

Should I go with Cakewalk or Cubasis (or another program)? Either will be limited, but functional for your purposes. If you budget can take it, I would say Cakewalk Sonar.

Jetstream
Member
Since: Mar 17, 2003

Mar 17, 2003 03:45 pm

My sound card is an ADI 1885 SoundMax audio card.

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Mar 17, 2003 06:39 pm

you'll do just fine whith what you've got. My first fumblings with audio on a PC were on an old Pentium MMX 166MHz dinosaur with 32MB of RAM and a Creative AWE64 soundcard. About 2 1/2 years ago had a company build me a system specifically for audio. Lots of RAM, a nice soundcard, some good apps to learn on.

So, yeah.. start small. Learn everything to can, hang around here and read and ask questions, read our Recording Tips, and just mess with what you've got. Once you start to get the hang of it you'll know what you need for your specific goals ;O) -j

Jetstream
Member
Since: Mar 17, 2003

Mar 18, 2003 09:49 am

Thanks Jamie and dB for your feedback!

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 18, 2003 09:57 am

No problem at all, good luck in your ventures, stop by for help anytime.

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Mar 18, 2003 10:04 am

i use a stock soundblaster card and cubasis with great (i think!) results...admittedly the better the soundcard the less problems youll have though...

drop back and let us hear some of yer stuff when youve got something!