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Post subject: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 8:44 am
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All my recording experience, in the way-back past, has been to tape, four to 24 track.

Except for the Digitech Looper that paused here and the Zoom H2 in my possession.

I'd like to dabble in PC based recording and need a simple, inexpensive program recommendation.

Maybe I'm in the wrong forum and need directions first. :D

Any ideas?? :idea:

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 9:05 am
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Audacity for free? Ableton Live 9 for $100 to $750?


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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:19 pm
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I've been using Mixcraft for several years. It was built to be a PC version of garage band. It's not as sophisticated as Pro Tools, but it's pretty intuitive and I've had no problems or reasons to change. You also need a good interface that will let you connect your instruments to your DAW without latency, (a delay between the time you hit a note on your guitar and the time you hear it in your headphones).

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:53 pm
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DarkPenguin wrote:
Audacity for free? Ableton Live 9 for $100 to $750?

Drew365 wrote:
I've been using Mixcraft for several years. It was built to be a PC version of garage band. It's not as sophisticated as Pro Tools, but it's pretty intuitive and I've had no problems or reasons to change. You also need a good interface that will let you connect your instruments to your DAW without latency, (a delay between the time you hit a note on your guitar and the time you hear it in your headphones).

Those are good suggestions, Thanks.

Free Audacity is a nice price! Mixcraft 6 home studio is only $50. What version do you use drew?

Intuitive is a good thought, I don't want to get started with something that I'll find inadequate in a short time.

Any recommendations for an interface, besides my Zoom H2 that is? :roll:

A little trawling the net tells me that the Interface costs can really add up. The Lexicon Alpha at $70 seems like the low end best of bunch.

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:36 pm
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This is the first interface I've owned that really sounds good.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=94618

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 4:09 pm
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I can't comment on any interfaces other than my Presonas, which I forget what model it is right now. But I will say this, if you have latency problems, you won't be recording and it will all be for waste. So look for specs that say zero latency if possible.

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 4:40 pm
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The Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP box, sounds great, but a little pricey for me. I'd like "a stunning level of detail and clarity to show up all the faults in my mixes", too!

Checked out the PreSonus AudioBox USB 2x2 USB Recording Interface, $99 on Amazon. Lot of bad reviews re: too hot for guitar and too quiet for SM57 mic. Of course it's their entry level product.

I understand, and appreciate, what you're saying about zero latency. The interface will make or break the recording, and my bank if I'm not careful.

Maybe I'm going about this wrong, I wanted to lay down simple guitar tracks, bass, rhythm & lead, and vocal for FUN!, without the bother of A BAND. I've already got a headache! :lol:

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 5:53 pm
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I use Audacity. It's good for some basic recording. Make sure that you stay on the updates.

Also, don't forget to purchase an audio interface. You can pick one up for about $100.


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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:19 pm
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paris wrote:
I use Audacity. It's good for some basic recording. Make sure that you stay on the updates.

Also, don't forget to purchase an audio interface. You can pick one up for about $100.

Any recommendations on the Audio Interface paris?

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 12:25 am
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danagos wrote:
paris wrote:
I use Audacity. It's good for some basic recording. Make sure that you stay on the updates.

Also, don't forget to purchase an audio interface. You can pick one up for about $100.

Any recommendations on the Audio Interface paris?


There's a fairly wide range of interfaces out there and most do a pretty good job. I'd start with something very basic but decent quality from someone like Focusrite or MOTU. It sounds to me that you really only need a 2x2 input (one vocal and one guitar simultaneously).

There's been a lot of talk about latency, which is the delay between what you sing or play and what gets recorded. Most interfaces give you the choice of monitoring your pre-processed signal or your post-processed signal. You'll only hear the latency if you monitor the post processed signal. But latency generally comes from one of two places. One major culprit is the connection between your audio interface and the computer, so you want to get the fastest one you can such as a Firewire or USB. However, the bigger culprit is the computer itself. Make sure you have a decently powerful processor, plenty of memory, and a high speed disk drive.

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:48 am
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danagos wrote:
paris wrote:
I use Audacity. It's good for some basic recording. Make sure that you stay on the updates.

Also, don't forget to purchase an audio interface. You can pick one up for about $100.

Any recommendations on the Audio Interface paris?


I am using M-Audio's M-Track. It's pretty basic as audio interfaces go, but works well. It allows a person to use to inputs for vocals and instruments.


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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 5:41 am
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Good suggestions, as for the 'puter, it's a year old laptop with 4 GB DDR3 Memory, Intel Core i3 & 500 GB HD. It'll have to do.

The M-Track sounds pretty good paris, $100 on Amazon, zero latency and monitor mix. Two x two input, as you all suggested, for guitar and vocal. I am running Windows 8, so I have to check compatibility.

Paris Do you use a pre-amp? I've got a nice Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic 200 Preamp that boosts signal cleanly.

One other point, I'm not looking for pristine recordings. I kind of like a "little" dirty lo-fi.

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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 7:29 am
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danagos wrote:
Good suggestions, as for the 'puter, it's a year old laptop with 4 GB DDR3 Memory, Intel Core i3 & 500 GB HD. It'll have to do.

The M-Track sounds pretty good paris, $100 on Amazon, zero latency and monitor mix. Two x two input, as you all suggested, for guitar and vocal. I am running Windows 8, so I have to check compatibility.

Paris Do you use a pre-amp? I've got a nice Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic 200 Preamp that boosts signal cleanly.

One other point, I'm not looking for pristine recordings. I kind of like a "little" dirty lo-fi.


No, I don't use a preamp. I mic my amplifier.


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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 7:33 am
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I used Soundforge and WaveLab under Windows XP for recording in the past but since I've got a laptop and switched to the newer Windows OSes I've abandoned that job.


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Post subject: Re: PC based Recording Recommendation
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:18 am
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chromeface wrote:
I used Soundforge and WaveLab under Windows XP for recording in the past but since I've got a laptop and switched to the newer Windows OSes I've abandoned that job.

That leaves the question begging Chromey, what programs ARE you using? :)

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