Anyone else do computer based recording? It so difficult to find good bandmates where I live I'm gonna just start recording my songs using drum samples or whatever.

What programs or techniques do you use to record on your comp? I downloaded Ableton music software. Seems like a fun program that can do about everything, just gotta get used to it.

Any tips?

Pluto,

As much as I'm a fan of BBS/Forums instead of groups, I have to admit that I'm out of step with the majority of the 'net. (Oh, OK, I'm out of step with just about everybody! :oops:) What I'm trying to say is, Yahoo groups has about a Sagan of groups dedicated to recording, from amateur to professional, and from analog to direct-to-storage methods.

Since the trend here seems to be to keep things simple (ah yes, the old KISS principle - I love it!), I'd suggest you take a gander at Home Recording first, then go search for other groups of similar interests.

HTH

unlunf

MY RIGHT HAND IS FASTER THAN YOURS!
(copyright 2003, Bruce Welch)

pluto,

The whole point of the link was that it's aimed at those who record outside of a studio environment - usually a home scenario, perhaps a garage or a basement.

And the underlying point is, does it really matter where you obtain knowlege, so long as you can obtain it? If you don't like the particular person imparting the knowlege, fine, move on, that's cool. But I caution you to not disregard a possible new learning experience just because some participants are not to your liking.

Besides, that link is just like our Yahoo group, or even these here forums - no one comes in knowing everything right off the bat. Each and every one of us is learning something all the time, and that only happens because we didn't stop to label some particular participant, we just transferred information from an experienced person to an inexperienced person. I say it again - every one of us was 'in over our head' when we started some project, and we got where we are now by asking for help from people who had already 'been there and done that'. Now it's our turn to share with the beginners, and some of folks choose to use Yahoo Groups, while others might use a forum. Like this one.

</rant>

unlunf

MY RIGHT HAND IS FASTER THAN YOURS!
(copyright 2003, Bruce Welch)

drpluto
What programs or techniques do you use to record on your comp? I downloaded Ableton music software. Seems like a fun program that can do about everything, just gotta get used to it.

Any tips?

I've been using the computer for recording since the early '90s (anyone remember Turtle Beach's Multisound card? I had one). "The Lost Boys..." use Sonar 4 Producer for tracking and Sound Forge 8 for mastering. External parts recorded elsewhere can be "flown" into Sonar. Ableton Live should be fine if you don't need MIDI (I just glanced at the web site and no indication of MIDI support). MIDI lets you control sound modules/synths (SW and HW) and external gear including modeling amps.

You can bypass the need for mics by using a POD like device for guitar tones and record direct which makes things a lot easier...and you can wail away at 2:00 a.m. without bothering the neighbors or your spouse/kid(s). You might also want to read Electronic Musician and Recording magazines. Guitar Player mag also contains some bits about home recording (gear and techniques). The mags will give you a good idea of the lay of the land. It's also a great way to be "productive" if you take the mag to the loo....

~ Jonathan

I have heard from several that they really enjoy using Apple's Garage Band.

For me, it's a Dell laptop loaded with Cakewalk Sonar and a Tascam US-122 usb front end. Most of my recording is via microphone and preamp, most of my tone is coming from the amplifier (before the signal hits the recorder) rather than from post processing.

-dp

image

I've got this one, it's VERY basic. it covers the basics of recording in general, doesn't explicitly go in to PC-based recording (which more or less works the same) it's a nice book though. it's more about about mic placement, sound processing, covers mixing and mastering too.

There are a lot of books on recording, also special pc-recording. books like these cost between 10 and 20 buck, and are good to have as refference, i would get one on recrding in general and one on pc-recording if i where you. there will always be stuff in those books that you already knew, and stuff which is still way over you head. bbut there's always a lot of new and immidiatly useable info.

my 2cts
WR

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

I'll check all that stuff out. I'm still playing around with Ableton, though. Thanks!

drpluto
1. when i mic my amp and when i plug my guitar in directly to the comp the level of the guitar is really low and there is a lot of hiss.

1. when patching in and editing, and even playing back tracks there is just a lot of hiss, cracking, etc.
   

Are both of these problems soundcard related, just as a guess? I know I have the crappy soundcard that came with my dell. Would buying a good m-audio soundcard help this?

Well, I'm no computer expert, but I'll give it a shot:

Have you looked into you Windows microphone/line -in settings? Sometimes, messing around with those settings might help.

The quality of digital recording is affected by BOTH the soundcard and the line-in (or microphone input) quality.

I use the Tascam US-122 (USB Audio In), the quality of my input is pretty decent. You can check it out the US-122 here:

http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-122.html

drpluto
Cool. When you say 'line in' are you referring to line in settings or the physical hardware? I would assume both. Your line in is basically your soundcard, right? What type of soundcard do you use? Oh and do you have a PC or Mac? I just downloaded the trial of guitar tracks pro 3 and it is VERY user friendly for what I want to accomplish.

Dr. P:

I use a Dell laptop that's about 3-4 years old...and I just have the crappy Windows/Dell stock soundcard installed...I think it's called "Crystal WDM" or at least the codec is called that.

You are correct: I was refering to the line-in settings to the soundcard...there are a couple different settings you can fool around with in Windows that will affect the quality of your line-in sound.

I'm glad to hear that Cakewalk Guitar Tracks looks like it might work to get you started...that's why they designed it!

good luck,
-dp

Dp-

So, do you plug-in directly into the Tascam or do you run a line out from your amp? I've to mic my amp, but the sound is just too low. I'd have to play very loud to get the levels I need, which would probably end up in me getting evicted from my apt I thought about maybe running a line out from my amp into the line-in on my comp, but haven't tried it yet. Broke a string today and can't get any till tomorrow.

BTW anyone who is interested in bottom-end home recording get Gutiar Tracks Pro. It's great and very easy to use. It also comes with a bunch of "amps" built in that sound okay, just a little too digital for me.