Home recording, and the starting thereof.

[arcadedave]

Up until now if ever I've wanted to record a riff or melody or any other idea not more than 10 seconds long, I've used the mic on my webcam and Audacity. This has been fine, but I want to start recording demos and such, with some decent tone, and havent much idea of how to get started.

The sage at my local guitar emporium recommended I look at USB mixers, and I have, narrowing it down
to these three.

I would follow this up with an SM57 or somesuch from the bay, and be done. But before I do this, I want to hear any recommendations you folks might have. Something like this perhaps? anything to avoid? Am I barking up completley the wrong tree?

Do tell.

[Ninja Mike 808]

This is a good deal

You'll also need good monitors (this is not a place to save money)
And some good headphones (100 bucks is a good price, but you can find some for cheaper)
You may want to get a better program, but that's entirely up to you...

[arcadedave]

Youll have to explain what the headphones and monitors are for before I shell out for them. Like I said, total n00b with this stuff.

MusFriends is down right now. Ill check in ze morning.

Ta for the response though!

[More Cowbell]

MOnitors or Headphones for monitoring are eq'd flat, they don't dress up the audio, its just plain, true sound you get out of them. Usually Stereo speakers have mids or treble or extended bass in the speakers fooling your ears and making you think, it has too much high, or too much low or visa versa.

Just best to mix flat mostly.

[robroe]

instead of monitors i just plugged my computer into my PA. its much more versitile and works as a gigantor sized stereo for the home as well

you can get a PA for the same price as monitors these days

[Ninja Mike 808]

I forgot to say, monitors are speakers... Some people like 6 inches, other prefer 8. Some people want 2.1 system (added bass) but it's not necessary, imo.

Basically, if you have some speakers that make the bass sound louder, you'll be tricked. Take your mix to a car and all of a sudden you can't hear any lows...

Speakers and headphones make an attempt to be flat (but usually aren't). When we say flat, we're talking about the frequency response chart.

If you need moar answers (I know I wasn't definitive enough) then get at me on AIM.

[Sloan]

Don't get too involved in recording - it will suck away your creativity.
I focused mostly on recording and stuff the past few years when I should have been concentrating on writing songs and BLACKENED RIFFZ.

Just get something simple like a 4-track or whatever and get IDEAS. Then, when you have some trill ass ideas, hit up your friend that's been slaving on recording shit and record an album for $100 or so. Having shit to record is x236qe6 better than having recording shit.

[Ninja Mike 808]

Don't get too involved in recording - it will suck away your creativity.
I focused mostly on recording and stuff the past few years when I should have been concentrating on writing songs and BLACKENED RIFFZ.

Just get something simple like a 4-track or whatever and get IDEAS. Then, when you have some trill ass ideas, hit up your friend that's been slaving on recording shit and record an album for $100 or so. Having shit to record is x236qe6 better than having recording shit.

+1
Better to rent this shit than to own. Unless you like it better (like myself).

[arcadedave]

There isnt anywhere round here I can rent from though, and I would prefer to know how this stuff works.

Recommend a fourtrack then?

[Ninja Mike 808]

How nice is your computer?

[More Cowbell]

Audacity is free cpu software you can use to record with.

[arcadedave]

Up until now if ever I've wanted to record a riff or melody or any other idea not more than 10 seconds long, I've used the mic on my webcam and Audacity.

My comp is fast enough, but no soundcard.

[James]

You're in england? I have a nice 4 track I want to sell just because I dont get any use out of it. It's still recording to tape, but as 4 tracks go its good. I used it the other night for the first time in a year or so (coincidentally) and it's all good. I mostly used it to do demos while I was at uni and to do anything a bit more spontaneous. The most fun thing I did on it was record my housemate and her dad playing middle eastern stuff. He's iranian (she's half iranian, not sure the other half) and I just set up a nice mic and left them to it.

It depends on your situation. If you're recordig purely in your bedroom and have a decent PC. That is likely to be the best way to go. If you aren't really into using your PC, or want to be able to easily record some stuff in the garage or at band practice, a tape 4 track can make life a lot easier.

If you're interested in the one I have, I can get a few pics and should even be able to find some demos I did and then uploaded to my PC (monitor out into the line in on the PC) and should still have around. Don't be put off the PC option just because it can be a bit of a minefield with endless options, just think what you want to try and get out of recording and where you want to take it next. Both options are good starting points, but I will say this: VU Meters.

[arcadedave]

Sounds grand James, mucho appreciated.

Any mic advice? Looking for a good allrounder.

[James]

You want to get a few dceent dynamics. I have a 58, it sounds good on pretty much everything. 57 is pretty much the same and both are worth the money. Ebay should be able to sort you out for near £40 a piece. If you can get one of each you'll be doing alright.

Gonna scrap together some details on my 4 track now. Will post back shortly.

[James]

Sound on Sound (UK recording magazine] review

I have the manual too. I'll grab some pics now. No pressure or anything, I need to get some pics in order to sell it when I eventually do anyway.

[Doog]

Up until now if ever I've wanted to record a riff or melody or any other idea not more than 10 seconds long, I've used the mic on my webcam and Audacity.

My comp is fast enough, but no soundcard.

Wtf? You don't have a soundcard??

[James]

The manual is easy to use, I took a pic open to a page but the camera battery died while it was taking it so it came out quite dark and without much detail.

[Reece]

Where does one find one of those.

[James]

I've never seen another. Info online is very limited. I remember when I got it (about 2003) the only real source I could find is that very same sound on sound article.