new to recording

[KenHolden]

Hello everybody,

I've been looking into starting some recording as a pastime this fall to go along with the hours of playing.

I'm starting from square one on all of this too. I have been looking in some software and hardware, but its hard to know what is worth the $$ and what is easy to get into.

Anyone have good insight on a good way to start?

I'll be starting off with a new computer, and will need some sort of interface for guitar/mic, and the software to make it work, plus a mic for the acoustics.  There won't be any singing involved 

cheers to the good advice that I'm used to from this forum 

[Biggs]

Ken, since you haven't gotten a response, I thought I'd start it off.  I would suggest you take a look at the Echo AudioFire series of audio interfaces.  Since you are not planning to recording voice, the Echo AudioFire 2 or 4 might be a good alternative.  Although I don't use it, Reaper Audio software gets great press and, based on what I read, doesn't use a lot of CPU resources, which can be important.  It's inexpensive and is always being updated.  Audacity is free software (shareware) that I still use for quick recording with my portable recorder.

I'd probably suggest a different direction if you are considering a Mac based platform.  I have an AudioFire 8 and use it on an IMac and use Garage Band that comes pre-loaded with the computer.  It's a good combination that works well together.  However, I will likely soon be going to Logic Express 9 which provides more recording capability.  If you are going the Mac direction, the Duet interface get's a lot of good press as well. 

Microphones are really a personal preference. I have several and my favorite for acoustic guitar are the Audio-Technica AT 4021 small diaphram condenser (I have a pair for stereo recording) and an AT4040 which is a large diaphram condenser mic.  I started out with a Shure SM57 (dynamic mic) which I still use on occasion.  Finally don't forget to consider some degree of room treatment.  This will make tracking and mixing less frustrating.  You will also want to look at a decent set of headphones and/or monitors (probably both).

That said, if you really want to keep your recording process simple, take a look at the portable recorders like a Zoom H4N, Zoom H2 or now the new Zoom H1.  Olympus, Edirol, Tascam and Boss also have other alternatives. 

I hope I haven't totally confused you. 

Tom

[ducktrapper]

I found that I couldn't record on a computer for many reasons. Wrong room. No room. Difficult to operate by oneself. A laptop can solve many but not all of them. Mainly, concerning a computer, I'm not overly comfortable doing much more than I am right now. I can't figure out how to record on a typewriter with a built in TV. Ha ha. Anyway, I went with a stand alone recorder, a Boss BR-1600. Great little machine and fits nicely in my "studio". Okay, my basement. It has tons of cool plug and play effects. I can plug it into my PA for playback and, all in all, I just prefer it. If you're not a "computer guy" you might want to investigate that direction. If you are a computer guy ... just ignore advice from a dinosaur!      

[claudefr]

Hi,

If you plan to record only your guitar, You can use a H2 recorder. It make a good job and is simple to operate. If you want to edit and mix, download Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/). It is free and powerfull. You can then plug your H2 in the USB port and use it as an external mic with very good result. And all this wil don't cost you a lot of money. Audacity is Mac or PC (a little better on Mac but not significantly).

It is a good starting point.

Claude

[KenHolden]

I have my recording set up started.

I got a some gear to start going, but I have some small things to add.   Macbook, M-Audio Fast Track, Audio Technica Headphones, ART M One condenser mic.  Still waiting on the monitor speakers.

The biggest thing now is getting a proper placement for the mic by the guitars, and then maybe playing with the settings in Garageband.    What little tests I have done, all sound good, but they capture mostly the highs of the notes, and not a lot of the bass. 


Most importantly.... It's been fun so far, and I hope it stays that way while I figure out how to record, and how to play a bit better.

[jpmist]

The biggest thing now is getting a proper placement for the mic by the guitars, and then maybe playing with the settings in Garageband.    What little tests I have done, all sound good, but they capture mostly the highs of the notes, and not a lot of the bass. 

Be sure to try aiming the mic from about 12" at the 12th fret. The nearer the bridge you'll go the more bass you'll get and vice versa.

I'm still learning GarageBand because there are so many ways of tweaking your sound. The most useful tweak I've found is the Visual EQ from the Effects panel. Check the "Analyzer" box in the lower right and you'll see a real time look at your EQ curve, then you can see where to level it out.

Best of luck with it. . .