Basic Home Recording

[MikeVB]

I'd like to start recording myself playing and singing on my computer - just for my own personal torture.

I got a cheap little mike and can do little 60 sec clips to my Sound Recorder in windows. However, I'd like to be able to record whole songs, practice sessions, etc.

I'd also like to be able to go back and play lead over chords and maybe sing harmony with myself.

What's the best way to do some of this?

Thanks.

[morgan]

If you look back under "equipment" to December 2005 there's a thread I started called "another home recording question." I ended up getting the Tascam discussed in the thread- I think it was about $160 and came with a cheap mike and pair of headphones as gimmes. It works very well for what you want to do; very easy to overdub yourself for multiple tracks.

[kingbrown]

Hi Mike,
Go to Google and search for "Audacity" It's a freebie and I think you will find it will do what you want.

[wsm]

Here are some cool links that can help turn your PC into a multitrack studio complete with effects and editing capabilities:

KRISTAL Audio Engine is a powerful multi-track recorder, audio sequencer and mixer - ideal for anyone wanting to get started with recording, mixing and mastering digital audio.

It is designed as a modular system. The main application provides a mixing console, while the audio sequencer, live audio input and so on are loaded as separate Plug-Ins.

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php?section=download

Free audio plugins:

http://www.digitalfishphones.com/main.php?item=2&subItem=1

More plugins that include Chorus, Compresser, Delay, EQ, Flanger, Limiter, Phaser, Reverb, and Auto Filer.

http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php

A plug in that cures the latency problems associated with using your PC to multitrack:

http://www.asio4all.com/

Free AudioEditor:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Another cool plug in:

http://www.dasample.com/index.php?show=glaceverb

[Jeff Rose]

Mike,
It is a deep sea once you get into computer based recording, need plenty of CPU speed and ram to make the play along with yourself concept work out. (Getting a Tascam or some other stand alone unit is by far the easiest way to do this.) However, if you want to move into the world of computer based recording you will probably ultimately want to buy some sort of input unit M-Audio etc. and an interface/sound card designed for the purpose. Then you will also need some sort of recorder/mixing software application like Kristal. I have used another application for years, which is a great value, and easy to use called N-Tracks. http://www.ntrack.com/

It is possible to do it for less money, but having a dedicated sound card and an input device made for this purpose will ultimately lead to more time spent recording and less time being frustrated with latency etc.

There are zillions of review/comparos on the web if you search for home recording/computer based recording etc. Here is a good place to start - http://www.homerecordingconnection.com

good luck!

[MikeVB]

Thanks for all the help. Looks like I have a lot of reading and surfing to do.

[woodwiz]

I just use my computer sound card (Asus), Audacity (free) and a little condenser mic I got somewhere for nothing. It works fine for recording practice. Actually, it sounds pretty good!

[TonyP]

Well for me it was a lot easier to watch ebay and catch a deal than to deal with my pc. I'm an Akai fan and have an old analog 12trk tape machine, but decided to get into digital. I found an Akai DPS12, 12trk stand alone digital hard drive recorder. It was a demo in Japan and was pulled from the floor and fished out of the storage room. Basically new, won the bid for $200, $235 with shipping. Works perfect. Has internal effects, 10gig hdd and can automate mixes etc. Kinda overkill for recording bluegrass http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Smurf]

wsm post looks strangely like what I have been using the last 3 years, and recommend a lot..........it's good stuff!

[James P]

Another really nice multi-track recording program. It's freeware for now.

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

[DryBones]

anybody using just a webcam for recording practice sessions? Is that how all those You-Tube videos are recorded?

[Skot]

I use Adobe Audition and it ROCKS. The setup consists of an #Alienware Laptop and (3)Presonus Firepods for 24 tracks live. Audition is amazing, no track limits, any vst plugin's work with it, the windows DOCK. Unlike Cubase, darn i hate all thoose popup windows. Things are always getting buried. But not with Audition. and it retails for $299.

[Brad Weiss]

All of what is posted here (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=434303) was recorded with a very small Sony stero mic ($50) through an iMic ($30) on Audacity (free). Some of it ws touched up with some reverb on GarageBands (free w/ Mac). #It's not fabulous, but if you just want to record practice sessions for your own amusement it is PLENTY good- even the internal mic of my iBook is sufficient for that.

[Pete Martin]

go to www.homerecording.com and look around for info on this.

[cooper4205]

i just use a $10 mike from best buy (it doesn't have a timer or anything) and winamp to actually record with. it's not the best quality, but that's the last thing i need to worry about right now http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[dabowsa]

Anyone looking for quality, this is one of the best deals on the web - http://www.jdsound.com/SPOTLIGHT-PreSonus-FireBox-P7147C0.aspx

[Professor PT]

I use Cakewalk with a Shure SM-57 through an ART tube pre-amp. It sounds pretty good to me. It's hard to justify recording in a studio these days with so many great sounding, low cost alternatives. If you have a record deal, that's a different story.

[rlw]

I would suggest a one or two Delta 1010lt/s, Cakewalk Sonar 5 or GTP3 if want simplicity. That will take care of your sound card matters. I would also pickup a couple good condensor mics like AT 4040's. Then your gonna need a pre amp or two might as well go for the Focusrite Twin Trak that will give you 2 complete recording channels with some nice EQ and Compression along with excellent preamps. Your also gonna need some decent monitors to mix it all together.

[Gerry Cassidy]

For acoustic recording at home (and on the road with my laptop) I run 2 matched Peluso CEMC6 Condensor mic's into an Apogee Mini-me. The Mini-me is great as it is a 2-channel pre (very nice and transparent) with built-in limiting and compression. It also has a USB out (no need for a soundcard) and I run it straight into my PC running Sonar5 Producer Ed.
Professional level recording for right around $2K....

Now, if could find a professional to record! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif