++ A Newbie Computer Recording Question ++

Posted on

Member Since: Jan 30, 2005

Hi everyone. I'm brand new to home based computer recording and was wondering if someone could give me a leg up. I have Cubase SX, and just bought a Boss DR-770 Drum Machine. My plan is to dump the drumlines I create with the DR-770 into Cubase and use those as the basis of the recordings.

I have integrated sound on my PC, which I am told will not work for what I'm trying to do. I believe what I need is a soundcard that has MIDI? Does anyone know of a good soundcard that can accomplish what I'm looking to do? Not sure if this helps, but my motherboard is a Biostar, model #M7NCD-A02.

Also, if anyone knows of a good tutorial that walks the user though the setup of such a process, that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks for you help everyone.

Regards,
<Matt>

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Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Jan 30, 2005 11:58 pm

Welcome aboard, Matt . You could always just program the DR770, and record it's audio onto Cubase... don't need midi for that .

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 31, 2005 06:04 am

Yeah, the onboard sound would end up giving you problems...in order to know what sound card to recommend we kinda need to know how you plan to record, one instrument at a time, like a one man band sort of thing, or a full band at once...

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jan 31, 2005 08:58 am

Also, those drum machines may have a digital out, (i'm not sure) so you may look for a card that has an digital connection. Also, if you have a digital guitar processor, it would plug into a digital in.

A bunch of people here use M-Audio stuff, a couple more use Juli@, there's others in the gear bag / studio equipment section over there on the right -->

Member
Since: Jan 30, 2005


Jan 31, 2005 09:20 am

Yes, my plans is sort of a one man band thing with my computer. I would record, guitar, bass, washboard or whatever I can find, and then back it with the boss DR-770. These are the connection specs for the Boss DR-770:

Output Jacks (L, R(Mono))
Individual Output Jack
Headphone Jack (stereo miniature phone type)
Pedal Switch Jack
MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT)
AC Adaptor Jack (AC 14 V)

With these connection settings, would my integrated soundcard still be an issue? I'd also need to be able to plug my axe directly into my computer and have that audio feed into Cubase. Not sure if that's a related issue. Thanks for all the help guys. Really appreciate it!

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 31, 2005 09:42 am

You would be well served with a card like the Audiophile service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear or the Juli@ from ESI www.esi-pro.com they are perfect for one-man band type situations and have MIDI ports. Be aware, MIDI going to your PC is just data, not sound, so your integrated sound card can still be used to make that MIDI data into sounds via that card wavetable, as the cards above (and few recording cards) have MIDI wavetables at all.

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Jan 31, 2005 01:43 pm

Many good things said here about the M-Audio stuff - especially the Audiophile 24/96. I have a E-Mu PCI 0404 - No problems yet! Balanced ins/outs in 1/4", MIDI in/out, Digital Audio in/out optical, $99.00. It has some DSP effects built into the card (no load on the PC's CPU for these), but I've never used them.
If you order this, or the Audiophile through Musician's Friend, link there from HRC. It helps dB-Wan, and HRC.

You may want to think about a small mixer (I use Behringer). Not much money, but very clean.

Member
Since: Jan 30, 2005


Jan 31, 2005 03:36 pm

with regard to the mixer comment, couldn't I just use the mixing capabilities of Cubase to do that? I would only have one instrument going in at a time as a one man band concept.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 31, 2005 03:39 pm

many one man band type situations (including myself) use a small mixer more for a preamp, easier routing and effects loops and stuff than an actually "mixer".

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Jan 31, 2005 04:14 pm

I know how it feels, Matt. Everyone jumps in and says, "Buy this, buy that...." and you're thinking, "I wish I could...." It's a little scary at first. Everyone here is going to offer sound advice, and not just point you back at the Sonar manual (not like some forums...). As dB-Wan says, it's the routing and aux-sends that are useful on the mixer.

Yes, you can effectively do it all on Sonar, but you might find yourself spending more time behind your computer plugging stuff in than you spend recording. Behringer and the like have very small mixers for very little money, and they do make life so much easier. Saves the wear and tear on the soundcard too.....

We all know that it takes a long time to put together all the stuff you need (read: WANT) for your home studio. Just mark it down on your wish list. I've spent a long time amassing the various pieces in my "studio," and I'm probably not going to stop anytime soon. Budgets are tough, and a reality. We all have them.

Stick with it here, there are some amazing tips to be found on HRC; and some amazing people.

As pjk says, it's over on the RIGHT >>>>>>
Not the left, huh db-Wan.....


Member
Since: Jan 30, 2005


Jan 31, 2005 05:10 pm

Thanks for the encouragement Tall Chap! I'm not afraid to try all these new things people are suggesting; my only fear is that I don't want to get stuck with a piece of gear that I can't use!

My most pressing question is the soundcard issue (stated above). I've been told, "yes, buy a card" and "no, integrated sound will work fine".

I guess both will work?

eeeeeeemo.
Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003


Feb 11, 2005 10:57 am

although i am not very knowledgable on the subject myself, i believe what people are saying are:

integrated sound does not have any midi inputs or outputs, so you could not use it to access the files off your drum machine.

however, integrated sound DOES have the capability to PLAY midi files once they are on your computer.

is that right?

(i have an audiophile, and i do one man band stuff too, it works great :))

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 11, 2005 12:56 pm

Quote:
no, integrated sound will work fine


Ummm, whoever told you that, please, stop taking advice from them.

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 03:57 pm

Integrated sound will work, but it won't work fine.

I am another one man band that uses an E-MU 0404 with a small Behringer mixer. I like the flexibility for effect loops and monitoring my work. No cord swapping.

Look in HRC's Studio Equipment section, and you can't go wrong.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:14 pm

I was told to use the internal "card" (which is usually not an actual card but an AC97 chip on the Motherboard!!). Anyways, I wasted 4 months trying to record with it - thought after the years my timing had gone to pot - then I learned of the evil that is latency.......ahhh....its not me at least!!

Anyways, I got a proper sound card and the problems disappeared over night.

I cannot stress enuff the importance of a decent card. Decent does not = expensive. A good card these days will set ye back aboot £75 ($150)..or less. M-Audio make good cards (I have a Delta44) and love it.

Man, ye should never compromise on the input signal and its the most important part of the chain. Get yerself a nice card and I assure you, you'll thank yerself for it.

All the best, good luck

Coco

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