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mlebo - Posted - 01/29/2011: 15:17:57
I have no real knowledge of doing any recording, but I am becoming interested. Anything I do would really just be for personal use, so I do not need professional level products. I would like to get an inexpensive set up where I could potentially record a rhythm track, then add dobro and vocals. I am assuming there are programs for my pc that would function as a mini-studio and allow me to do this. Any advice for this type of application would be appreciated.
Alan Walker - Posted - 01/29/2011: 16:47:48
Hi,
Band In A Box (which is a PC program) will do what you want in terms of providing backing tracks and if you go for something like Cakewalk Sonar, you have a complete recording studio on your PC. Alternatively, you could get an inexpensive, portable recorder such as the Fostex MR-8 HD which can be bought second hand on ebay for around $150. I have found that using a Fostex at a friends house (or at home) to record the basic tracks and then downloading them onto the PC and then using Cakewalk to "polish them up" works really well.
This is a huge field and you need to do plenty of research. After 3 years, I'm still just scratching the surface. BTW, you will need a decent mic (Shure SM58 for vocals, SM 57 for guitar are good, inexpensive choices) and an interface with your PC sound card. I use the ART Tube pre-amp and I like it but it's only $30 and you can spend as much as you want on this stuff. If you thought GAS was bad, wait till you start looking at recording equipment.
Good luck
Alan
Edited by - Alan Walker on 01/29/2011 16:48:53
MitchellB - Posted - 01/30/2011: 06:08:14
Recording can get really complicated. Unless you are into the technical and want studio quality, I'd advise to keep it as simple as possible. The computer recording programs are great but can be intimidating for the unfamiliar but a great building step for future projects. You can also get into the problem of wanting upgrades for your computer like new sound cards, fan noise isolation or more mic inputs. Computers are the way to go for serious home recording though. But they also lack some portability unless you’re using a lap top. The standalone digital recorders, I think are easier to use and much more portable for novices like myself. However even they require several hours with the manual to get the maximum benefits from some of the nicer ones. Even simpler, are the older analog 4 track cassette machines; and they can be found cheap now. The learning curve amounts to popping in a cassette, plugging in your mic, mash the record button and adjust the volume level. Good choice if you just want to get ideas recorded quickly without a lot of fuss.
The Shure SM57 microphone is the work horse mic for many studio and stage engineers. You can pick one up new for around a hundred bucks or less. There are also many large diaphragm condenser mics available now reasonably priced that can give you studio clear sound once only achieved with mics costing 5 to 10 times as much.
Patrick Sylvest - Posted - 01/30/2011: 06:46:42
I'd suggest buying a PC interface, like those made by presonus( firebox is $299.00) or lexicon (search, lexicon alpha. $79.00).
Regardless of what you choose, you will have some learning to do, but it's not so complicated that you can't become reasonably proficient and get some tracks recorded in a few clicks.
If you have a Mac, the garage band software will be plenty to get up and running. This works well with a 'Blue Snowball Mic', which sells for $99.00. You can also just play right into your pc mic if you'd like.
Alternatively, ebay has tons of hard disc recorders for cheap! You can get a 4 track cassette recorder for peanuts! These can be quite fun to play with and are portable.
Good luck!
mkayi - Posted - 01/30/2011: 08:02:03
Or...
...you could eliminate the PC altogether and also do without an extra microphone.
there is a wide range of portable mp3 recorders starting at 100€. Most of them have a built in pair of stereo microphones and feature a really goody recording quality. Handling is ten times easier than with any PC/Mac software and you can setup for recording anywhere quickly (great for sessions, too).
The Zoom series (H1, H2, H4n) are great for any recording purposes. I read an article about a guy who does major movie productions with a Zoom H4n.
I hate computers for doing recordings with a passion. Monitoring is awkward (latency) and reliability is shaky. And when everything runs really well and you are in the middle of a good take the fan in the damn case starts running and ruins everything.
So, my advice: start easy, buy a Zoom H2 (for example) and add more equipment later on.
I bought a Zoom H4 (an older model of the H4n) and it features XLR plugs for external microphones, so if you got that one you could buy a good condensator mic later on and just plug it in there...
bbjork - Posted - 01/30/2011: 08:34:35
I'm with mkayi on this, I bought a Zoom H4 a few years ago and it works great for all kinds of recording situations.
mlebo - Posted - 01/30/2011: 08:48:15
Thanks for lots of good advice. I have homework to do now!
Patrick Sylvest - Posted - 01/30/2011: 09:55:42
We gonna Zoom Zoom Zoomah Zoom!
Those are cool recorders and a fine solution.
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