What is the Most Basic Way to Record? Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2009 » Archive through May 17, 2009 » What is the Most Basic Way to Record? « Previous Next »

Author Message
goop
Junior
Username: goop

Post Number: 49
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 9:27 am:   Edit Post

I just read another post about listning to a recording of yourself and how that is a much different experinece than playing. I have very limited recording experience, but agree, that this would be very cool to experience.

Can anyone suggest what the easiest and least way would be to make a recording of my playing and or my son and myself jamming?

I am thinking of recording to my PC. Is there a way?

Colin
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 874
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 9:34 am:   Edit Post

I am an iMac person and it has a great pre-installed software called "Garageband." There are others for MAC. I am sure you can record with a PC; I am no PC expert.

When I am trying out new licks, songs, etc., or trying to get my instrument and vocal phrasing down I simply use one of the old time cassette recorders like you can get at RadioShack. These have surprising quality. I have also even used one of these with a mic level to get a raw recording of a several piece jam along and the quality was not bad. If you want production, you can get as complicated as you want.

I know some sound engineers and such would scoff at the basic cassette, but for simplicity and immediate playback it works.

if you can get an iMac I recommend them!
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2316
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 9:37 am:   Edit Post

The simplest way is to use "Sound Recorder" that is on all Windows PC's. You can either hook a Mic to the "mic-in" on your sound card or get an adapter (1/4 mono to 1/8 stereo-Radio Shack has them) and plug straight into the sound card.

You can also find some inexpensive software and even freeware on the web that will allow you to record in different formats than a wav file.


OO
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 659
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 11:39 am:   Edit Post

Here's one I've used in the past that was fairly friendly,
audacity
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2319
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 11:47 am:   Edit Post

Audacity is very user friendly I thought. Nice suggestion.
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2320
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 11:57 am:   Edit Post

I actually use both PC and Mac. I have Cubase 4.5 on both but I agree with David about the Mac, much more dependable for serious recording.

OO
honninscrave
New
Username: honninscrave

Post Number: 7
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post

I love my POD X3 for recording. With its amp, cab, mic, and stompbox modelling, you've got everything you need in one device. It outputs 8 audio channels over USB which you can feed into your favourite recording software (Audacity, Reaper, etc.). It's very slick.

(Note: The X3 "Live" model has had a few problems with the USB audio dropping out but the Bean and Pro models are not affected.)
crobbins
Advanced Member
Username: crobbins

Post Number: 323
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 12:40 pm:   Edit Post

If you want to record yourself live. The cheapest route to go is with either a Zoom H-2, or H-4....Both record well imho.....
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3751
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 1:12 pm:   Edit Post

Another vote for the Zoom H2. Less than $200, easy to use, reliable, impressive quality recordings. What more could you ask for?

Bill, tgo

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration