Aug 06, 2004 02:00 pm Hmmm....the FAQ's page helps a lot, but could someone expound on a few more details.
Where do I start?
Posted on Aug 06, 2004 01:13 pm
Dr. Noe
You've always got your guitar
Member Since: Jul 30, 2004
Hello. I'm new to HRC, and well, forums in general for that matter. I've been writing music for about a year now with my acoustic guitar, and I've recorded some stuff with (you're going to laugh) a regular mic that came with my computer. It usually helps to record while I a writing, even if it does sound terrible, that way I don't forget the music i've written. Anyway..I'm wanting to record some stuff for real. I have quite a few complete songs. I have a lap top, and I'm wanting to invest in some gear so I can make a CD for friends. How do I start? I know I need a good mic, but what else? A new sound card? I've been looking at the RODE nt1a and it seems like the best choice. How will it work with my laptop? Hope someone can shed some light on my situation.
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Aug 06, 2004 02:00 pm Hmmm....the FAQ's page helps a lot, but could someone expound on a few more details.
Aug 06, 2004 02:02 pm Welcome to HRC.
This is a new sound device that is getting some great reviews www.homerecordingconnecti...iews&id=142 and it comes with software to record with as well. Beyond that, to make CD's you need a CD burner. That mic of which you speak is good from what I have heard.
You also may want to consider a preamp and outboard compressor...that sound device I believe has a preamp or two built in it tho, I don't recall for sure.
Aug 06, 2004 02:23 pm Ok. I appreciate it. Yeh. I have a CD burner on my laptop. I usually burn a lot of cd's. So what is the purpose of all the other stuff like the preamp and the outboard compressor? A few people have told me that Cool Edit Pro 2.0 is a good software. How does that sound device software compare?
Aug 06, 2004 03:29 pm OK, CEP no longer exists, it's now Adobe Audition since Adobe bought it from Syntrillium. It's a decent piece of software, many here use it. However, with that you still need a sound device, CEP is just the software. We are talking about two components, a hardware sound device and a software application that will record and playback what the software records. The unit I linked you to is both hardware and software bundled together.
I have read good and bad about CEP (Audition) and the app that comes with the device I linked you to. That's usually the case.
The preamp just makes a more powerful signal to be recorded (I could get really technical and geeky here, but I digress) and the compressor is necessary with signals like vocals and often drums and other instruments, to control the signal and make it more consistent and thereby easier to work with and listen to after it's recorded... In my personal opinion and outboard compressor is needed by anyone even remotely serious about recording. COmpression can be done via software but with some signals you also want to do it before it ever gets to the sound card and runs the risk of clipping.
Preamps can also be had if you buy a small mixer such as a Behringer UB series mixer, which is what I use and love it. They are not the worlds best preamps by any means, but they do a good job, plus you get the added advantage of having a mixer and the additional controls that go along with it.
Aug 07, 2004 12:01 am Hey. I really appreciate all your help, and it has been a great help. I took a look at the studio you gave reference to, and it sounds awesome. So in your opinion, it is a good investment? Could I save money getting all i need seperately. I can't remember if that studio had everything or not. I guess what i'd like is good quality recording for minimal price. Doesn't everyone I assume. Any other pointers you could give would be greatly appreciated. So do you still need an outboard compressor even if your mic is a compressor mic? Thanks again dB
Aug 07, 2004 12:19 am I started on a PC mic, myself. Not that I've progressed much beyond that hehe.
Your basic components to get started would be:
- A mic
- A preamp
- A PC interface (sound card)
- Mixing software
The NT1 is an excellent mic, from what I read around here. But before you invest in a condensor mic (which is what I think you mean instead of a "compressor mic"), think about the space in which you record. If you have a good acoustically-sound room, then go for the condensor mic for vocals and acoustic guitar. If you're stuck in a small, square, hard-surfaced room, just live with a dynamic mic for now and close-mic everything. This is because condensor mics are so sensitive that they will pick up all of the terrible acoustics of the average home recordist's recording space. Close micing with a dynamic mic won't sound as crisp and clear, but it will record the instrument/voice without picking up as many reverberations from the room. And if you're going to record electric guitar through an amplifier, a dynamic mic is definitely the way to go.
The dealie that DB linked to looks like a great deal. I've been wondering about those myself. They might suit you well because they're USB, so it would interface with your laptop easily. Plus it's a preamp, hardware interface, and includes the software all in one shot.
And yes, you do need some way of ensuring that the signal doesn't clip (overload) before getting to your sound card/interface. Some preamps have limiting technology built in. Or, like DB said, a compressor will do the same.
Just remember that you can't get rid of bad acoustics or clipping once it's recorded!
Also, don't forget to factor in some quality cables, microphone stands, headphones, and a pop-filter into your budget.
Down the road, you'll probably want some studio monitors also. Be sure to buy me a pair while you're at it :-D
Aug 07, 2004 07:54 am Yeah, I have tried to get an eval version of that sound device to review for HRC, but I didn't get a rejection, I just heard nothing...bums me out, it looks like a great unit and I have read mostly good stuff about...but of course, there is good and bad to be read about everything.
Aug 10, 2004 03:25 pm I appreciate your imput Tadpui. It helps a lot. You too dB!!! Ahh..condensor mic..oops. Still gettin the jargon down. Yep..i'd be recording in an average sized room of a house with the occasional noise going on. Vocals and Acoustic guitar. It may have been clarified a little, but I'm somewhat confused how this stuff all works together. Pre-amp, compressor. I know what a compressor is, but what's the preamp? Hope to hear back. Thanks again.
Aug 10, 2004 03:35 pm A microphone plugs into a preamp (often done by using the preamp in a mixer, so it actually plugs into a mixer) and the preamp gets makes the signal the "type of signal" (I'll spare you the geeky jargon and leave it at that) that a sound card can best work with and record the best. If you just plug a mic straight into a sound card the signal will be weak and thin and unpleasant. A compressor, well, you can read about that and other dynamic effects here www.homerecordingconnecti...story&id=13 to get you started. Also www.homerecordingconnecti...story&id=18 might be worth a read to get familiar with mixers.
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