Recording with audacity

ted j · **Posted:** Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:39 am

I have a zoom 4040 effects processor and I downloaded audacity and tried running the line output from the zoom into the mic input on my laptop , which just gives me crackling noises, is it possible to record direct without having to buy a usb interface

Twangalicious · **Joined:** Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:36 am **Posts:** 33

It`s normal that you have crackling noises for the mic input is too sensible for anything except microphones.Try the line input of your laptop. This should work.

ted j · **Posted:** Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:10 am

It doesn't have a line input , that's the problem, it would mean me buying a guitar cable wth a usb plug on one end,
If I have to do that, I still wanted to use the distortion on the zoom and not have to buy any online effects
The idea then would be to play the backing track in audacity through the laptop speakers and play along , if the volume wasn't enough, the zoom has stereo outputs, so I could plug one into the laptop usb and the other into my little amp, so I could hear it better

sjlen · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:39 am

You can get lots and lots of free plugins for Audacity.

The way you plan on setting up sounds kind of complicated. If you're planning on playing music for the long term and not just for five minutes then why not take your time, save up for the things you need to do the job properly or in a way that would be comfortable and convenient to you.

While you're saving up you can still practise playing your guitar.

There is a wealth of useful information about recording out there on the internet in places such as wikirecording, Harmony Central, and various forums and news groups, and lots of knowledgeable people right here on these Fender forums.

And yes I must mention there are lots of very nifty recording devices around these days such as this little beauty The Boss Micro BR80 Digital Recorder. I wouldn't mind one of these myself; - an 8 track recorder that fits in your pocket, and you can put backing tracks on there to for playalong sessions etc.

Enjoy

strings10927 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 8:26 am

Twangalicious wrote:

....the mic input is too sensible for anything except microphones.Try the line input of your laptop.

ted j wrote:

It doesn't have a line input , that's the problem

In that case, you might be able to adjust the Mic input until it is balanced with the device. What version of Windows are you running? The instructions will be different for the different versions of Windows, but the basic idea is to go to the Sound and Audio Devices control panel and adjust the Mic input volume.

Deselect 'Microphone Boost' and set the Microphone volume very low. Also set the output volume very low on the Zoom device (if possible). Then, if you hear absolutely nothing, start inching up the volumes in small increments. Leave the Microphone Boost off.

strings10927 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:37 am

The Word and the Breath wrote:

So if I place this recorder in the middle, because of the angle of the mics, it would have one mic pick up more of the amp (from that direction) and the other the drums, and it would end up being a near-professional-level stereo recording such that I can move it left and right and one side is more the drums and the other is more the guitar???? Wow.

near professional level? really??

I don't think so, and this comment deserves its own thread since it's an off-topic response to an on-topic comment.

asgeirman · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:13 am

Yes there is a diversity of these fantastic recorders , from different manufacturers . I have my experience only from Zoom products, the H2 and the R24. I'm sure the H4n is a very good device! You need to consider a lot of things before making a decision . I guess they all ( at least the two I own) are great 'standalone' recorders, but they can in addition double up as audio interface via usb to the computer !
The new H2n (cheaper) , I guess can handle live-recordings very well- as it's got 5 mic capsules under 'the hood' My H2 has got 4 , and can record in surround if necessary - and then again mix down to stereo onboard, if that is wanted.
The R24 is a bit more advanced - it has 2 mics onboard, but can record on to 24 tracks, 8 of them simultaneously ! It does the recordings to a SD-card , and is incredibly light weight. Perfect to take to rehearsals, or making a part of a recording another place. You can complete your production on this one ( mixing and mastering ) - or you can drop the files into you computers DAW, to finish it there. I have a great 'old' firewire interface , which I now have retired- using the R24 as one instead. That works fantastic!
Zoom has a R16 - recording to 16 tracks, 8 simultaneously -and a R8 -rec to 8 tracks, 2 simultaneously.Which is sufficient if you just want to record 1 or 2 tracks at a time. The R8 & R24 also have onboard drum pads. They +R16 also have a special input for the guitar/bass for direct recording , as well as amp-simulators and other effects. And there is a built-in drum machine .
And the price tags on the R's are not so scary. Just sharing what I have learnt, and can recommend

strings10927 wrote:

near professional level? really??

I don't think so, and this comment deserves its own thread since it's an off-topic response to an on-topic comment.

I go on posting this anyway , because the OP touched the problems with 'how to get his guitar into Audacity' - and this could be an option :wink:

AaronK · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:53 am

I use the direct microphone jack with my guitar to record into my software when I just want to get stuff down on disk. The MIC input is genericaly more noisy than an ASIO device due to PC or Laptop's fans and SWITCHMODE Powersupplies. However when playing guitar clean you barely hear it, it is only when using an overdrive plugin does the noise floor get louder. A good small simple plugin for distortion that I use is STUDIO DEVIL BVC. Just add a REVERB plugin behind it and wham bam.

strings10927 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:32 pm

ted j wrote:

I still wanted to use the distortion on the zoom and not have to buy any online effects

asgeirman · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:04 pm

strings10927 wrote:

ted j wrote:

I still wanted to use the distortion on the zoom and not have to buy any online effects

OK- I then find your answer to nail it !-but then we got this:

sjlen wrote:

The way you plan on setting up sounds kind of complicated. If you're planning on playing music for the long term and not just for five minutes then why not take your time, save up for the things you need to do the job properly or in a way that would be comfortable and convenient to you.

spacewolf · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:06 pm

Does the Zoom 4040 provide amplification? It's so old, I can find very little info about it on the web.

strings10927 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:15 pm

I feel bad for anyone that asks a simple question on this forum and hopes for a straight answer.

sjlen wrote:

The way you plan on setting up sounds kind of complicated.

Guitar

Effects Processor :arrow:

Laptop

That's complicated?

ted j · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:48 pm

Wow!, so many responses, but I think some of you must have misinterpreted my posts
I am 64 years old (and thankfully have most of my own long hair still)

I don't play semi-professionally anymore , just doodle about at home, and as we have our house up for sale and when it's sold, will move permanantley to Turkey , I foolishly sold some of my equipment 2 years ago when we thought we had a buyer , but at the last minute, the deal fell through, so I bought a small 10 watt amp, to play through and quite like the tone on it
The ageing zoom 4040 pre-amps it up to, at a guess 20 watts or so ( I switched the speaker out to a 60 watt job I had )

The zoom unit was an early effects unit which used some analog effects for distortion
I just wanted to double track over some backing tracks I downloaded, play "live" over them, and then make some videos for my 6 month old granddaughter to see when she is older
I am looking at one of these on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Guitar-US ... 6rk%3D1%26

And was wondering if I could connect the stereo outs on the zoom to "in" on this and to my amp with the remaining output to hear my sound "live", as I record
I have emailed the seller and asked him tonight , but if any of you know the answer, I'd be grateful of it

BTW, here is the "ancient" zoom manual in PDF
http://www.zoom.co.jp/downloads/4040/manual/

asgeirman · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:21 pm

Hi, Ted !
I suddenly (before your answer) - remembered that 'Ted is a grown -up' :lol:

Remember you were posting something about your first guitar -back in the sixties , if i remember it right.
That usb-interface in your link , should be able to take the sound from your 4040 ,straight in ,as long as you use a single mono output from the zoom .Put headphones in the output jack from that interface. You should be able to hear both yourself and the track there. If you want , I guess you can use the headphone out to your amp.... to amplify it. I guess you also have to download a driver for the interface. I'm quite sure there willbe a paper inside ,telling you where to go.
This is how I think it will work - though I have not tried it!

Good luck !

ted j · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:25 pm

Thanks, that's what I'm hoping for
The guy has put a link to drivers in his ad
If it comes with online amp modeling I'll try that first, but failing that will use the zoom

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