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Topic: Recording? |
Jim Landers
From:
Spokane, Wash.
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Posted 11 Sep 2000 10:09 am |
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I am thinking of trying to get set up to record on CD. The problem is I don't even know where to start or what equipment I would need. I'm not thinking of this as a commercial venture. I would just like to be able to produce some decent quality home recordings.
I would appreciate any and all advice concerning the best and cheapest way to get started. Please keep in mind that I am a total dunce when it comes to electronics and computers, so try to keep it in terms I might be able to understand.  Thanks.
Jim |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 11 Sep 2000 10:35 am
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First, you do not want to record directly to disk. If you "burn" a CD (record) and something is wrong there's no erasing and redoing it.
What you need to do is record it first to a tape deck and then you can record to a CD.
I have an internal CD R/RW drive installed in my PC. I have Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4 (very user friendly for recording to CD plus you can "record" from tape, etc., to a wav file or you can convert between wav and MP3).
I have a Tascam 424 MKII 4 track recorder. What I do is record on the Tascam. Then I mix down and record to a wav file and store it on my hard drive (I use the Adaptec s/w to "record" the wav files). Once I have all the tracks (songs) that I want on the hard drive, I then use GoldWave s/w to clean up the wav files, e.g. make sure there' no garbage on the beginning and ending. I also GoldWave to compress the signal (40% compression) and then equalize the signal level so that all the songs are at the same volume level. If I need to do any further EQ I do it with the GoldWave Parametric EQ.
After I get the song file(s) down to what I want I can then burn the CD(s) using the Adaptec S/W, which allows placing the songs in whatever order you want on the CD.
There are other ways to record and burn CD's but what I have is a relatively inexpensive way to go and I assembled the pieces over several years. If you don't have anything, an internal CD R/RW (write/rewrite) will run about $200. The Tascam 424 MKIII is currently selling for $399 in the Musician's Friend Catalog. The Adaptech S/W is approx $70 and the GoldWave (which is a shareware program) is $60 Canadian/approx $40 US.
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 11 Sep 2000 1:38 pm
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Jim, like Jack says, before U record on CD,
U gotta have a master first.
i use a Fostex FD4 + 12/4 Yamaha Mixer(when needed) the FD4 uses a hard disk like the computer to store or rekord. FD4 is a smaller model of what is available. (Budget's the Boss Roland makes 'em too..
i do my recording w: it, overdubs, punch in+out, Mix it + then put the Final Mix on the "Burner"
CD RW are the ones U will need to get started
because they are ReWritable. Otherwise U will use CD R Audio that can be "burned" just
once.
i haven't learned how to rekord on a computer. i am soon going to learn though w/
CakeWalk Pro Audio 8 . From what i understand, it's a Studio w: a view !?!?
i have a Plextor "Burner" on my PC + Phillips "Burner" that i move around.
Most of my gear is used for gigs + Home use.
Being able to move around w: it comes in handy. Try + Check out some fellow musicians using such stuff, 'round your neck of the woods. And see what they have to say 'bout it ! Take your time when it comes to shoppin'
All the best ...
Steel Rainin, Steel Dreamin'... |
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Jim Landers
From:
Spokane, Wash.
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Posted 11 Sep 2000 11:51 pm
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Jack and Crow Bear, thanks for the input, it really helps.
I have a Fostex X-26 4 track, and a Eurorack mixer that I have been using to record, so that is some of the expensive items taken care of already.
Jack, do you have any recomendation as to what kind of CD writer I would need for doing music discs?
My wife is getting ready to buy one for her computer, but she is willing to get one that we could both use. In other words, move from one computer to the other.
She don't know anymore about this stuff than I do, and I don't know anything.  Any suggestions?.......Brands?.....Xs?........Whatever?
Jim |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 12 Sep 2000 2:42 am
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If you want to move it from computer to computer you will need either a USB or SCSI interface external model CD unit. If both PC's are running WIN98 and have USB ports that is probably the easiest way to go. If you get a SCSI interface unit, it will require SCSI interface cards to be installed in both PC's.
As far as brands, HP seems to be one of the better and more popular brands, but not the only reliable brand. All current model CD writers (that I know of) write data and music both. If you opt for an external unit, the $200 price is out the window as the external units are a lot more (you may want to consider separate internal units for each one - wouldn't be much more than one external unit). |
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Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2000 8:41 am
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I would say, definitely go with some sort of hard disk recording. There are reasonably priced dedicated units, as well as systems for PC's. These are SO much more better and trouble-free than tape decks.
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"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Fred Murphy
From:
Indianapolis, In. USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2000 1:51 pm
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| I am fairly new at all of this recording and computer stuff, so for me, everything has to be simple. I found out from my previous computer,on which I had added a separate CD writer, that I had a lot of errors on my burns. I think this was caused by the two separte drives. I have not had these problems on my newer computer, with the writer,burner and player combined in one unit. I would recommend this for beginners like me. Maybe I just had a bad unit,I don't know. I also like the music match jukebox program a lot. You can record to your computer from any source you select, etc, tape player, turntable or the CD itself. You can then burn back a CD of any of the songs in your library. It is a very simple and easy program. |
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Vernon Hester
From:
Cayce,SC USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Sep 2000 2:16 pm
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I record both ways #1 to a tape deck,#2 to the computer with Magix Music Maker deluxe 5 software. This gives you all kinds of production tools, But you need a fast computer with big a disk drive.(I'm using 733 mhz and 30 gh). Good system.Sounds as good as some of the big recording studios I have built thru the years.
Vern |
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David Pennybaker
From:
Conroe, TX USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2000 6:19 am
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If you're going to move it from PC to PC somewhat frequently, I'd recommend USB instead of SCSI.
Caveat: I've never tried a USB-based CD-R. USB generally works well, but not always.
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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://members.xoom.com/dpennybaker/index.htm
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dlayne
From:
OH
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Posted 13 Sep 2000 8:18 am
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Jim,
I do some sesion work for a studio that records with and thru their computer.
So the way we do it is I have the same program that they use(Cool Edit)it has 64 tracks,the studio will burn a sesion from the Cool Edit and bring it to my house and we just load up the sesion on my program where I am able to add steel or anything else that I am able to play that they may want.
Now all I use is a Tascam Portastudio 424 and a Teac am/fm stereo receiver that plugs right into the input of my PC.
After the sesion is finnished he burns it back on cd and takes it back to his studio and mixes it,now remember this is not by no meens the best way to do it,but hey I never have to leave the house,and when I want to I put sound tracks into Cool Edit and then add my steel and do whatever I want to with it.
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Dan Layne
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