Recording Using PC
chris01
Posts: 559
I only recently (well around Xmas) got rid of my multi track player cause i never used it.
Dunno what it is but ive suddenly had a little burst where i want to get songs or idea's for songs down so i dont forget them.
Aint it always the way that when you sell/lose something you want it back right away? lol
Anyway....
I was wondering if anyone could advise me how (and what i need!) to use my pc (Dell Inspiron 9300 notebook to be exact) to record Electric, Acoustic Guitars and Vocals onto.
Im not talking crystal clear recordings cause i know thats never going to happen, just rough demo's.
Thanks in advance.
p.s. .... doesnt have to be pc recording, any other ways you record half-decent stuff im open to ideas.
Dunno what it is but ive suddenly had a little burst where i want to get songs or idea's for songs down so i dont forget them.
Aint it always the way that when you sell/lose something you want it back right away? lol
Anyway....
I was wondering if anyone could advise me how (and what i need!) to use my pc (Dell Inspiron 9300 notebook to be exact) to record Electric, Acoustic Guitars and Vocals onto.
Im not talking crystal clear recordings cause i know thats never going to happen, just rough demo's.
Thanks in advance.
p.s. .... doesnt have to be pc recording, any other ways you record half-decent stuff im open to ideas.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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i am sure that you can also just pick up a decent second hand multitrack for under a 100 bucks.
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I remember reading up on this a while back and got the feeling id need to upgrade to a better one that could handle that kinda thing.... and these soundcards cost more than a friggin multi track! lol
First up, my PC has a Soundblaster Live soundcard which is pretty decent (even though it's about 7 years old). My PC is only a 1.2Ghz Athlon with 512MB RAM but I'm hoping it's OK.
Software wise, I've gone for Kristal (http://www.kreatives.org/kristal) which is a free piece of kit and and some of their forum members have posted nicely recorded tunes.
I've also dowloaded Leapdigital's drum software.
To record the guitar, I've bought a Behringer XV amp so I can use different amp sounds and effects. This has a line out socket which means I can plug direct to the PC and get a good level.
For vocals and acoustic I am planning on getting a budget microphone and then a small mixing desk/preamp to get the level up. Something like the Behringer UB802. If I get a mic that is suitable for micing up my guitar amp too then I have a way of getting a more authentic guitar tone.
The only other thing to get is some headphones or decent hi-fi speakers to listen back to your recordings on. PC speakers tend to colour the sound differently.
I've not tried much of this yet, so it may not work as easily as I hope. But it shouldn't be too much trouble.
Good luck (to us both)
if you just put it in Line In i think you should be fine
~You laugh because I am different, I laugh because you are all the fucking same -?~
~Education is the most powerfull weapon you can use to change the world - Nelson Mandela~
Thanks for that info man. Ill download the programs you mentioned and play about with them later tonight.
I had a behringer amp but i had to get rid of it cause it was huuuge, way to big for someone who doesnt play gigs regularly, lol. Kinda wish i got a normal sized Behringer now cause i liked the sound of it. The Marshall i have now has a line out socket too but i preferred the Behringer sound in hindsight.
http://www.behringer.com/X-V-AMP/index.cfm?lang=ENG
You could also use a Line6 POD, Korg Ampworks, Digitech RP80, Zoom G2 or similar.
I'm gonna try recording this a little later today. I've already done it on another machine using Windows Sound Recorder - it was perfect. I'll let you know how I get on.
The M-Audio Fast Track http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=703606 would be a good starter unit, it allows you to record instruments direct as well as a microphone for vocals or other instruments.
The Tascam US-122 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=240868 would be a good step up from that. Not only can you use it with a variety of programs, it comes packaged with Cubase LE, which is a pretty good recording program. It also gives you the ability to record two tracks at a time.
The Lexicon Lambda http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=245506 and Mackie Spike http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=248150 would be comparable to the Tascam. The Lexicon comes with Cubase LE as well, and the Mackie has it's own Tracktion software.
The DigiDesign MBox 2 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=248150 is the best USB-based option. It comes with high-quality preamps, and is packaged with ProTools LE software, the definitive industry-standard software for recording. It is available without the factory bundle for a little less money: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=240479 but you lose some of the effects that the Factory Bundle includes.
You can just use your soundcard's inputs, but without a proper preamps, your results will never be particularly great. So it depends on how much money (if any) you're willing to spend.
Thanks for all that info, appreciate it.
Call me an idiot but.... do these things go straight from guitar, to the interface nd to the PC or is the amp hooked up somewhere in there too?
Ive never used music making software on my PC so i dunno how it all works, lol.
How'd it go? Everything run smooth as hoped?
....usually doesnt for me when i try something out first time round, lol.
I then tried to work out how to use Kristal to start laying down tracks and editing, but didn't get very far. Couldn't get it to record, and it was playing back the sound with a slight delay which (I think) means I have latency issues. To solve that I've gotta get some ASIO drivers for my soundcard, probably using http://www.asio4all.com.
I think you can plug your guitar straight into these but you'll only get the acoustic sound of your guitar (not so useful on electric guitars). However, most recording software provides VST support which means you can add effects afterwards. I've used GarageBand on a MAC before and got really decent distortion and overdrive from that.
Do you have a link or any more info on this software? I googled it but didn't come up with anything. I currently use Drums on Demand which are damn cool, but a little limiting because they are loops. I'd like to give a go at making my own.
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Sorry........I was being lazy earlier !
The Line6 GuitarPort is meant to be great - but I just never understood what it was for when it came out!?
The general story of this thread is "you can record reasonably cheaply on PCs, and there is plenty of different ways to do it and bits of kit. I guess you just need to pick the one you want to do, then go for it and if it doesn't work out then try another"
Thanks Rodders!
+1 on the above too. The only thing I would add is to be patient. There can be a learning curve, but once you get over the hump, you will have all the tools to create high quality music in your cellar, bedroom, garage.......
You can do it two ways: Plug your guitar directly into the interface, or plug into your amp and use a microphone to capture the sound of the amp. Like Rodders said, you can put different effects and use software to alter the sound of your electric guitar if you just plug in, but most people prefer to mic up an amp.
If you're recording an acoustic-electric guitar, plugging straight in is probably the best method.