Sorry, I didn't look through all 11 pages of threads in this section to see if there already was one on this subject, but since Paula brought it up ...

I haven't done much wiht it, but have been experimenting with digital recording, using my PC.  I have my keyboard plugged directly into the soundcard, and my guitar plugs into the Guitarport which goes into the USB port.  I got a few free software packages to try out, but they are very limited or wouldn't work with the external soundcard.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on software (this is just a hobby) and want something that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to use.
 

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My friend uses Audacity - more about it here:  http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/features

 He only does basic demo stuff on it, but it's free and it's a start!

 

Teddy
 

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Teddy's Homepage
Great Big Sea UK
GBS Photos UK

Audacity is -great-. We have it in school.

I use Vegas. Not free, but well-worth it. It's got an amazing noise reduction that makes anything sound nearly professional!

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace

So...theoretical question here....   If one knew nothing about recording, nor the technology needed but wanted to give er a go...

Oh heck...nothing theoretical here....Let's see...I have a computer (laptop running windows xp),  I have a guitar with pick-up and I have a microphone...Plans are in the works for an acoustic amp to be purchased at the end of July (more for performances than anything) 

But honestly I have no clue about how to get started making recordings in my own home.  So...Where do I go from there?  What do I purchase next?  Gimme a break as I'm totally clueless.  I'd love to put together some sort of short demo CD to start lining up more gigs.  *lol*   I know my local music store has a studio and you can pay by the hour to record, but it sounded like it might be cheaper in the long-run to do basic demo type stuff in my own home...

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Scathing rebuttals?  Want to whip me with a wet noodle for not figuring this out on my lonesome via google? 

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY
BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

Ah, that's part of the reason I tend to recommend Audacity!   It has a huge and helpful user base, and there are tutorials and forums all over the place.    I'm a co-director of a record company, and we use solely that software for our recording.  Now, I'm not the user/producer, I do the graphics, website and hardcopy production, but I hear it's pretty easy once you've done a tutorial or three.

 First of all, you need some way to plug in your instruments to your computer.  Seal use a pro-quality soundcard with breakout box to plug anything and everything into. I'll have to ask the producer exactly what he uses.

Then, hit the Audacity Wiki for tutorials on among other things using microphones and guitars - see the link to Blind Summit's page especially, it's in plain English! .... http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php?title=Tutorials

I have to say I'm not an expert on this stuff.  My own band demo-ed 24 years ago on a 4-track........ and there's a reason I used to answer to "Hippy" back then.

 Teddy
 

 

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Teddy's Homepage
Great Big Sea UK
GBS Photos UK

I have Audacity and found it OK to use, but I would prefer a more "soundboard" control interface.

 

As Teddy mentioned, first thing is you need a way to get your sound into the computer.  You cannot plug a guitar pickup signal directly in - for the same reason you cannot plug directly into a stereo amp - your signal is too week.  On the other hand, you CAN plug a typical electronic keyboard or a microphone in directly.  There are any number of interface devices available for guitars and pickups.  For $99 I got the Line6 Guitarport (do a google and find all the details at line6.com)  It has a bank of electronic special effects and guitar and amp simulators and a slew of pre-programmed sounds.  Some folks don't like the Line6 sound, but I find it great (however, you either need headphones or a decent sound system for your computer in order to play it "outl oud".

Controversley, you could also get a stand-alone digital recorder for a few hundred bucks!   Go visit your local decent-size music store!

 

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Teddy:

  ........ and there's a reason I used to answer to "Hippy" back then.

 Teddy
 

 

 

 

How sad is it, that I still answer to "Hippy" today???!!!

 

 

. 

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Sandy

Mike, I plug my guitar pickup directly into the computer, and it sounds great.

Example

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace

Is this an electric guitar, or a pickup on an acoustic that maybe is powered (battery or phantom)?

Sorry, I've got dialup so can't listen to what you linked.

The advantage of the Guitarport is you don't have just plain guitar sound, you have effects and amp simulators.  Of course if you are going for just an acoustic sound, you don't need all that. 

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http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

At home I just have a little Tascam 4 track cassette.  Nothing special but it helps me work stuff out for arranging.  When I go to my dad's place, we use his Yamaha digital 8 track.  My band records at a studio that is equipped with Pro Tools, an amazing, yet expensive program.  Actually the program is pretty cheap, it's everything you need to go with it that costs a bundle.

I love using Line6.  I don't have a Guitarport but I use the Pod Pro as my tone processor, into a tube power amp, for live playing.  I used to use a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212, a great amp but I found it to limiting for playing covers.  The Line6 stuff allows you to create almost any sound you need at the flick of a foot.

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But I know I'm going to do it again!
Oh Yeah!
Robbie

hi Mike,

if you invest in a Mac book pro (laptop, that's reasonably priced) then it has Garageband which is really easy to use, or you can also get other software and add-on boxes for more inputs , etc...   The cool thing with the laptop is you can take it places if you want to jam or collaborate with others and record it right on the spot.   If you want to sync up with professional gear, via timecode, etc then you'd need to get the next step up in software, but for most situations GB is awesome.  

Lis

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happy trails,
Lis

or like Robbie mentioned,  you can get a used 4-track for real cheap and do it that way...    Always remember it's the SONG not the recording quality that grabs people's ear..   Work on writing some killer songs that people love to sing along to and the recording will just happen. 

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happy trails,
Lis

Hi again - just realized you were more askign about software, not getting more equipment.  Check out Logic Express 7.2    You can have a mixer view, a track linear/wave type of view, you can add awesome plugins.  "Easy Drummer" is an awesome drum package and if you add that to Logic Express you can drag and drop the drum beats right into your tracks adn then edit them beat by beat if you want.  Then record your guitar and vocals and you're set!!   We use Logic on a Mac but I'm pretty sure there's a windows version.

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happy trails,
Lis

I'm not exactly well-off, so getting a Mac just for music stuff is not an option!  ANd Logic Express is made by Apple, I don't think they have a Windows-compatible version!

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

TheYoungSpaniard:

Mike, I plug my guitar pickup directly into the computer, and it sounds great.

Example

 

wow, really nice "example"! 

                                                         Chris