recording acoustic

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Member Since: Feb 27, 2005

Just looking to record acoustic/resonator guitars. After doing a bit of research the choices are astounding. I would like to record to a computer (have done some analog recording). Obvious questions what computer interface (analog to digital) is recommended as well as a simple recording program. I looked at guitar tracks pro, anyy feedback?

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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Feb 28, 2005 09:06 am

Hey burruss, welcome to HRC.

If you're just looking to record easy and cheap:

1. decent microphone. a condensor is recommended, though good results can be had with a good dynamic, like shure sm57, or the like

2. pre-amp. this will boost the small mic signal up to line level signal used by the computer. don't use the mic input on the computer as this is a source of unwanted noise. you'd want to use the line input on the computer (hopefully it has one). ** Here's a helpful tidbit. Lots of people here get a small mixer instead of a dedicated preamp when starting out (and when advanced). This will give you multiple preamps, plus offer you a lot of flexibility when routing signal around. It may not seem like a big deal now, but if you do more than one recording, you're projects will change and you'll appreciate the multiple options it will present. I've a yamaha that I'm very happy with. Others here use behringer with good results.

3. cable to sound card, this can be pretty simple, cheap cables can introduce noise, but lots of people start off cheap and upgrade later.

4. Sound card. Soundblaster and built-in cards can be used with good results, but may introduce more noise, and have greater latency, and may be more restrictive. better cards (echo, m-audio, juli@, aardvark, motu, etc) will give you cleaner tracks, and give you more recording-type options.

5. software. i've heard several people here using GTP, but I've not used it myself. I've tinkered with multitrack studio and dB did a review on it (i think) and would recommend that. I use n-track personally, and have been pretty happy. There's also traktion which I dabbled with and seems pretty capable. most (if not all) have demos that will give you a real good idea of how they operate.

6. recording techniques. i'll not get into this here, as there's lots of acoustic tech tips around the net. I believe there's a write-up here, but i may be wrong. two condensors can give a much better recording than one, as they can be placed differently, but it's all subjective. expirementation comes into play and gives you hours, days, weeks of fun figuring it all out.

hope this helps, and have fun.


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