Need help recording my guitar. Very confused!!
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Posted on Nov 19, 2008 06:35 pm
wackojacko99
Member Since: Nov 19, 2008
I've just come across this fourm. A big hello to everyone.
I need help recording to PC. I used to use the built in recording function. Now I just need to start putting my guitar on a proper recording software. I have no idea
If I can tell you what I have to hand.
I have a PC, with Vista. Sound goes through the motherboard. Have no seperate sound card.
I have two guitars A Strat & Les Paul. Lovely stuff.
I have one of these MIDI to USB converters that i've picked up from Ebay.
I have a Alesis Quadraverb. If anyone knows about it, give me a shout. I have not much clue on how to use its config. it has a MIDI in and out port
www.flitemedia.com/studio/alesis-quadraverb.php
I have a Marshall TSL100 with cab.
And finally I have a few good recording packages. E.G Cakewalk Sonar Professional, Guitar Pro, Cubase Professional 4..
If anybody can help me get myself recording I would be so happy! I dont know what to put where.
Setting up musical instruments, and effects. Fantastic. IT brilliant. Putting them together, I just can't do.
Also if anyone knows how to properly set up the Alesis Quadraverb, and PC, and do I need anything else!
Thanks All!!!
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Nov 19, 2008 08:19 pm OK...welcome to HRC!
First, you're gonna need a way to get your guitar signal into your computer. You can get an adapter so that you can plug your guitar right into the sound card, but that's probably the least desirable way. The most desirable way would be to invest in a recording audio interface (a.k.a "sound card"). In order to use outboard gear, like your Alesis Quadraverb, you'll probably also need some sort of small mixer with an effects loop.
Here's what I'd do: Sell the Quadraverb, buy a Line 6 Toneport UX 2:
www.zzounds.com.../item--LINTPUX2
You'll be in guitar recording heaven!
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 19, 2008 10:00 pm As a first guitar recording setup, I'd have to agree with Jim there. Simple, affordable, and enough options to keep you busy for quite a while.
But eventually you're going to want to capture the beauty of your Strat or Les Paul running through a cranked TSL and a 4x12 cab. That's one of the best combinations of guitar + amp known to mankind, and even the best of tody's modelling tech doesn't capture that phenomenon. But now you're talking about a pretty big step up in cost. So I'd say go for the modelling interface for now and if at some point you feel that you've outgrown it, come back and we'll have some suggestions ready for you.
Nov 20, 2008 04:15 am Thanks for the replies. I've been looking through the whole forum and there's some fantastic advice, and very knowledgealbe people.
That Line 6 thing looks good. I haven't noticed that before. I used to be the guy that bought all the guitar magazines. Now, after picking up a new job, it's just slipped away. It's amazing how rusty you can get.
I also have one of those adapters, I think. It just changes a standard guitar lead to a smaller version, so its able to plug into the microphone port.
That quadraverb has very good reviews for sound, and i don't think i'll find another one, so if I was going to go down the route of keeping it and getting a new sound card etc, what would you recommend. So even if i didnt look for the one you recommend, I could look for simular equipment with simular features and properties!
Thanks
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 20, 2008 12:43 pm If you go with the Line6 interface, the QuadraVerb would be pretty much like "tits on a bull". There are several quality reverbs in the software that come with the Line6 interface. They will be VST plugins, which will give you flexability when it comes to making post-recording adjustments.
With the QuadraVerb, you'd have 2 choices of how to use it:
1). Use it in-line when recording your tracks, as if it were a stomp box. The problem with this is that whatever settings you have dialed in when you record are going to be recorded on the track. If you change your mind about the settings, you'll have to re-record the track.
2). Use it as an aux send effect. This involves routing your recorded tracks out from your computer, through the QuadraVerb, and then back into your computer. This incurs an extra conversion from digital to analog, and an extra conversion from analog to digital. What that equals is more noise.
You'd probably be better off just using the provided reverbs that come with the Line6 software. Or you can spend some cash on a good reverb VST plugin.
I have a feeling that the QuadraVerb's reverbs will be a tad better quality than most VST plugin reverbs (reverb is probably the toughest effect to do correctly in the digital realm). But when it comes to ease of use and flexability, VST plugins seem to take the cake.
Nov 21, 2008 05:21 am Thank You, Slightly confused on some of the things you said.
Like I said, I'm a complete newbie, when it comes to recording.
I'm going to do some research, try and see how I would do each of these options, what I would need etc.
If you could point me on this forum to the thread i'm looking for, Id be very thankful!
Nov 22, 2008 02:51 pm In response to your post Tadpui, you said that I would have to re-record the tracks. I dont know if this makes any difference but there's a 'Bypass' function.
I've looked through the manual for the quadraverb and it makes no sense what so ever.
My understanding is that my guitar, goes directly into the input of the Quadraverb, and the MIDI input goes to the MIDI adapter, and that goes into a standard USB port.
Load up a program, and away I go, but it doesn't seem to work?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 22, 2008 09:50 pm You don't even need midi going in or out of the Quadreverb at all. That is only if you are going to control it to say change patches on the fly live or something. Or if you are geeky like me and find a program to go in and edit from a software interface. But I don't recommend that approach unless yo are extremely familiar with midi and how it works and communicates.
Nov 23, 2008 11:44 am Yeah, what Tadpui is saying is that a lot of people record their guitar fairly "dry", with little or no reverb. Then, during mixdown, reverb is applied to suit your tastes. If you record by playing through the Quadraverb you are stuck with the amount of reverb you chose to use while recording. If it turns out you didn't want that much reverb then you have to re-record the whole track.
A setup like the Line 6 unit (or any other similar system) allows you to tweak your recorded sound to your heart's delight. And it's all done right on the computer, with no additional noise added. It really is the way to go for someone who is just starting out, or even for an accomplished recording engineer, as Noize will attest to.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 23, 2008 02:04 pm Yup, Noize and Jim summed it up nicely.
I think that we'd all agree on one thing though, and that would be to leave the Quadraverb out of the equation for right now.
After you get the basics of recording, mixing, and all of the technical knowledge that you'll gain in the process of producing your first few songs, THEN you can worry about a way to get the Quadraverb integrated into your recording setup. It's just not going to make much of a positive difference in your results at this point.
Nov 24, 2008 07:32 am Thank you everyone. I'm going to try and sell the Quadraverb, hopefully for a OK price, and get the Line 6 Toneport.
I'm not going to fuss around with it I dont think
