Need Expert Advice: Home Recording for Dummy

saveuplife

Hi,

I'm hoping to figure out a way to record myself (guitar/vocals ect) on my computer. I use to have a Tascam recorder (8 tracks). It was great but it worked on cassets, which is ridiculously outdated. I'd prefer to record on my computer. I have XP.

What's the best recording hardware/software? (I have about $250-200 to spend and would like about 8 tracks).... What exactly do I need? Do I need both hardware and software? If so, is there anything that includes both?

Thanks so much for any help!!!

jeffwmartin

saveuplife wrote:

Hi,

I'm hoping to figure out a way to record myself (guitar/vocals ect) on my computer. I use to have a Tascam recorder (8 tracks). It was great but it worked on cassets, which is ridiculously outdated. I'd prefer to record on my computer. I have XP.

What's the best recording hardware/software? (I have about $250-200 to spend and would like about 8 tracks).... What exactly do I need? Do I need both hardware and software? If so, is there anything that includes both?

Thanks so much for any help!!!

6-track Behringer mixer: $150
USB Audio interface: I have $30 Behringer U-CONTROL and it's been fine. I've heard other people bitch about it, so maybe drop a an extra $20 and get a better one.
Software: Reaper ($50, but it has a full-featured trial version so you can try it out). Go for Audacity if you want it completely free, but Reaper is awesome and worth the money.

Plug in and rock.

mccreadyisgod

Well, you're definitely going to need hardware, gotta get a mic signal converted into a digital signal and into your computer. And you're going to need software, gotta get those digital signals to work together so you can mix them onto a CD. Fortunately, most hardware interfaces come with software, so you can usually get both in one package.

At the price you're working with, you're pretty much limited to a USB interface, which limits you to two tracks of audio at a time. Most programs will allow you to do many more tracks, usually 32 or 48 total, but USB interfaces can only record two tracks at a time.

Here are a few options:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lexicon-Lambda-USB-Audio-Interface?sku=245506

-a good brand-name interface, coupled with the #2 software (Cubase).

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lexicon-Omega-Desktop-Recording-Studio?sku=245505

-the big brother to above

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Mini-?sku=700498

-above your stated price range, but it's the entry-level ProTools box. ProTools is the single most common recording software out there.

ballgame

I think I have a good system for cheap.
All you need is....
PC
Software (Cool Edit Pro 2.0)
Hardware. I use an external soundcard (Firebox, $300)
Thats it




CEP is a little outdated but I know how to use it. Every software is different and very hard to learn if you dont have someone to teach you

HushBull

I plug straight into my Mac with a 1/8 converter.

Jkingy

Ballgame has the right idea, in my opinion.

I use a Shure PG58 (I think) Microphone plugged into my laptop, I generally place it against the front of my amp for guitar, instruments etc. and use it as you'd expect for vocals. You're probably better off getting a proper, decent condenser Mic though.

I run it all through Adobe Audition on Windows XP, excellent program in my opinion, easy to use, tons of tracks to record to and plenty of options like effects, EQs. It is unfortunately about $349, so a bit out your price range, but definately worth it if you're serious about recording.

PJim87

I been using sony acid music studio 7. Can get it for free for 30 days off their website. It seems awesome to me, Can record infinite tracks, you arm each one and can record multiple tracks at a time (i believe, havent tried to do more than one at a time yet). But its user friendly and works well enough to start with, and its only 60$.