recording to hard drive

P-90jjet

Joined: Jul 15, 2010
Posts: 7

Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:04 AM

I'm looking to do some recording to my hard drive and have no clue where to start. I have a laptop with windows 7.
Thanks

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Jagshark

Joined: Nov 05, 2008
Posts: 745
Colorado, home of The Astronauts
1 Link Pin

Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:19 AM

You'll need some kind of recording interface like an M-audio mbox.

—

(defunct) Thee Jaguar Sharks

Plus! Other stuff not surf: https://soundcloud.com/jamesmileshq
Enjoy every minute

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:27 AM

What version of windows 7 do you have? 32-bit or 64-bit?

Make sure the program you buy supports 64-bit. Also, if you are a student or work for a university then you can get some discounted software.

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P-90jjet

Joined: Jul 15, 2010
Posts: 7

Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:37 AM

Not a student bu I am military. I think i have 64 Bit

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:53 AM

Here is a list of all the recording software on the market: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/software

A lot of it probably isn't suited for your needs. Most of the stuff these days is heavy in soft synths and live setting applications.

I've used Sonar Home Studio 7 on PC, and my friend currently uses it to great effect. I use Pro Tools on my Mac, which is fantastic. I've also used Ableton on PC in the past, you don't want to use that. Great software, but not for what you will want it for. Hopefully other people will chime in with what they use.

You should maybe buy and audio interface first and then download demo software of some of the various programs that appeal to you. That way you will know the program works and does what you want it to do. I have an M-Audio MobilePre USB. No complaints.

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GaryPlanets

Joined: Jun 22, 2010
Posts: 120
Durham, NC
1 Link Pin

Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:00 PM

I have an Edirol FA-66 interface and am using Reaper as the DAW, and I love the set up. Super easy to work with, and the FA-66 has a good variety of inputs (hi & low z, midi, RCA, etc.).

It appears to have been re-branded on Musicians Friend now as the Cakewalk Fa-66. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Cakewalk-FA66-FireWire-Audio-Capture-Interface?sku=485746

—

Full length "Chases Lead to Crashes" available now - The Red Planets

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:06 PM

P-90jjet wont' be able to use that interface, as it is Firewire only.

I do really like Edirol, I've used some of the midi keyboards. Good stuff.

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Brian

Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19264
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States

Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:15 PM

JakeDobner
P-90jjet wont' be able to use that interface, as it is Firewire only.

Well, he should be able to use it if he has Firewire.

—

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:17 PM

I've never seen a laptop with firewire in the wild. They should be standard... but that isn't the case.

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Brian

Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19264
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States

Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:27 PM

JakeDobner
I've never seen a laptop with firewire in the wild. They should be standard... but that isn't the case.

I'm sure they exist. You can also get a PCMCIA card for Firewire if it isn't built in.

—

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

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GaryPlanets

Joined: Jun 22, 2010
Posts: 120
Durham, NC
1 Link Pin

Posted on Jul 15 2010 01:43 PM

There was previously a version of the Fa-66 that was USB, and this appears to be the re-branded one: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Cakewalk-UA25EX-USB-Audio-Interface?sku=243033

Of course there are tons of audio interfaces on the market.... so no need to focus on this one, per se (other than I've had great experiences with mine!)

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/computers-peripherals/audio-interfaces

Just depends on the budget.

**
p.s. By the way, Jake, I moved from Seattle to Durham in '08. Lived in Edmonds, worked at UW and played in a band called Shake Some Action.
**

—

Full length "Chases Lead to Crashes" available now - The Red Planets

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Baine

Joined: Mar 08, 2008
Posts: 195
NJ shore
1 Contributor Pin

Posted on Jul 15 2010 09:08 PM

If you're looking to do things cheaply: I use Acid Rock or Music Creator 4 (Acid is easier to use and comes with a bunch of drum and other instrument loops, but ,my version, circa 1997, is limited to a total of eight tracks, and drum rolls and crashes can eat up a lot of those positions, Music Creator can do more, but I just got it for about $15 on Ebay and haven't done much with it). I plug the guitars and bass into a Zoom g1 fx (about $65) pedal, which I then plug into the computer microphone input. I haven't experienced any problems with delay or lag and the zoom can make just about any noise with my guitar that I want.
I've been happily recording multi-track projects for a couple of years now. They'll probably never get on the radio, (more of an indictment of my skills than my equipment) so if you're looking to record serious music you might want to go another route, but it's a lot of fun for very little money

—

"We're lousy, we can't play. If you wait until you can play, you'll be too old to get up there. We stink, really. But it's great," Johnny Ramone .

Top

P-90jjet Joined: Jul 15, 2010 Posts: 7	Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:04 AM I'm looking to do some recording to my hard drive and have no clue where to start. I have a laptop with windows 7. Thanks Top
Jagshark Joined: Nov 05, 2008 Posts: 745 Colorado, home of The Astronauts	Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:19 AM You'll need some kind of recording interface like an M-audio mbox. — (defunct) Thee Jaguar Sharks Plus! Other stuff not surf: https://soundcloud.com/jamesmileshq Enjoy every minute Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:27 AM What version of windows 7 do you have? 32-bit or 64-bit? Make sure the program you buy supports 64-bit. Also, if you are a student or work for a university then you can get some discounted software. Top
P-90jjet Joined: Jul 15, 2010 Posts: 7	Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:37 AM Not a student bu I am military. I think i have 64 Bit Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Jul 15 2010 11:53 AM Here is a list of all the recording software on the market: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/software A lot of it probably isn't suited for your needs. Most of the stuff these days is heavy in soft synths and live setting applications. I've used Sonar Home Studio 7 on PC, and my friend currently uses it to great effect. I use Pro Tools on my Mac, which is fantastic. I've also used Ableton on PC in the past, you don't want to use that. Great software, but not for what you will want it for. Hopefully other people will chime in with what they use. You should maybe buy and audio interface first and then download demo software of some of the various programs that appeal to you. That way you will know the program works and does what you want it to do. I have an M-Audio MobilePre USB. No complaints. Top
GaryPlanets Joined: Jun 22, 2010 Posts: 120 Durham, NC	Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:00 PM I have an Edirol FA-66 interface and am using Reaper as the DAW, and I love the set up. Super easy to work with, and the FA-66 has a good variety of inputs (hi & low z, midi, RCA, etc.). It appears to have been re-branded on Musicians Friend now as the Cakewalk Fa-66. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Cakewalk-FA66-FireWire-Audio-Capture-Interface?sku=485746 — Full length "Chases Lead to Crashes" available now - The Red Planets Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:06 PM P-90jjet wont' be able to use that interface, as it is Firewire only. I do really like Edirol, I've used some of the midi keyboards. Good stuff. Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19264 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:15 PM JakeDobner P-90jjet wont' be able to use that interface, as it is Firewire only. Well, he should be able to use it if he has Firewire. — Site dude - S3 Agent #202 Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:17 PM I've never seen a laptop with firewire in the wild. They should be standard... but that isn't the case. Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19264 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Jul 15 2010 12:27 PM JakeDobner I've never seen a laptop with firewire in the wild. They should be standard... but that isn't the case. I'm sure they exist. You can also get a PCMCIA card for Firewire if it isn't built in. — Site dude - S3 Agent #202 Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea Top
GaryPlanets Joined: Jun 22, 2010 Posts: 120 Durham, NC	Posted on Jul 15 2010 01:43 PM There was previously a version of the Fa-66 that was USB, and this appears to be the re-branded one: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Cakewalk-UA25EX-USB-Audio-Interface?sku=243033 Of course there are tons of audio interfaces on the market.... so no need to focus on this one, per se (other than I've had great experiences with mine!) http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/computers-peripherals/audio-interfaces Just depends on the budget. p.s. By the way, Jake, I moved from Seattle to Durham in '08. Lived in Edmonds, worked at UW and played in a band called Shake Some Action. — Full length "Chases Lead to Crashes" available now - The Red Planets Top
Baine Joined: Mar 08, 2008 Posts: 195 NJ shore	Posted on Jul 15 2010 09:08 PM If you're looking to do things cheaply: I use Acid Rock or Music Creator 4 (Acid is easier to use and comes with a bunch of drum and other instrument loops, but ,my version, circa 1997, is limited to a total of eight tracks, and drum rolls and crashes can eat up a lot of those positions, Music Creator can do more, but I just got it for about $15 on Ebay and haven't done much with it). I plug the guitars and bass into a Zoom g1 fx (about $65) pedal, which I then plug into the computer microphone input. I haven't experienced any problems with delay or lag and the zoom can make just about any noise with my guitar that I want. I've been happily recording multi-track projects for a couple of years now. They'll probably never get on the radio, (more of an indictment of my skills than my equipment) so if you're looking to record serious music you might want to go another route, but it's a lot of fun for very little money — "We're lousy, we can't play. If you wait until you can play, you'll be too old to get up there. We stink, really. But it's great," Johnny Ramone . Top

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recording to hard drive