O.K. I've looked everywhere on the net and I still can't get an answer I like, so I am going to have to bug you guys.

I want to record my sax (and maybe my guitar) live while playing BIAB on my computer.

Big reason... to hear what I sound like and adjust my playing and if it's good enough, maybe make CD's of my playing for my friends and family.


I have little to no money to play, but would be willing to spend up to 300$ if it was needed. ( I know that 's not really much)

What do I have ?

- SB XFI Xtreme Gamer sound card.
- Core 2 Computer with XP
- Wharfedale Pro Microphone
-Roland AC 60 Amp
-my Sax and guitar of course.

Software

BIAB
Adobe Audition 1.0 (No idea how it works)
Adobe Soundbooth (No idea how it works)

Result I would like?

Want my sax and or guitar to sound just like I am playing, not a midi sound like sound.
Easy setup, low learning curve. Basically something I can just hook up, record and save.


Ron

Thks in advance for any and all help.

Hi Ron

Plug the mic into the computer and use the "What you hear" feature in your X-fi Xtreme gamer card and Record - blowing live with BIAB playing live or a recorded backing track as well - it will take a little time to get the settings balanced and the right boxes checked but easy from there

The X-Fi Xtreme Gamer card is very powerful for music creation

That's the way I get my recordings for demos

A good small mixer can help to adjust the balance in from your sax with ease
Brian

rlefebvr
heres how i would do it.
assuming you have realband that comes with biab.
load the biab song into RB where you have 48 traks.
lots of traks to doodle with.
your the first person ive come across useing a wharfedale mic.
they are a respected brand name however in speakers so mebe the mic works well.
i personally stay away from creative sound devices.
ideally for recording your sax , ...
mic (xlr) >>mic input of say a cheap xenyx mixer>>line input of
xifi.

is this your mic ??
http://www.wharfedalepro.com/Home/Products/MICROPHONES/DMSERIES/DM30/tabid/312/Default.aspx

Looks like what you're missing is a preamp for the mic.

Either a standalone preamp or a small mixer will work.

art Tube mic pre is pretty inexpensive. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro...mp;src=3AGGWXX2

Small behringer mixer is pretty inexpensive and more versatile. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Xenyx-802?sku=631263

Many of us like the VTB-1 tube pre http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Studio-Projects-VTB1-Tube-Blend-Mic-Preamp?sku=180360

Any of these will get the mic signal to a line level for connecting to the 'line in' of your soundcard.
You'll also likely find better prices elswhere, but thatsite is a handy lookup site..

Then, as mentioned above, open your BiaB project in RB and start recording on any available track. Just right click the track and make it an audio track before recording..

Hi,

I see where your budget is $300 max. Here is what I would do>

1. Buy the M-Audio Fast Track II USB interface. This is a great little unit that provides Mic and Line input with direct monitering, solid ASIO driver and good sound for about $120.

2. Get Cakewalk's product "Music Creator 5". I believe it might be sold here at PG music online. Around $35, you can record all your tracks, comes with good softsynths, etc. This is the cheapest DAW around that I know of.

3. Get the Shure SM-58 Microphone. You can find one used online for less than $100. It will sound great with your sax, use the line input on the Fast track for your guitar.

Pro results for less money!

Hope that helps,
Ed

The suggestions are good but first, what version of Biab do you have and do you have Power Tracks or Real Band? If you already have either of those, you don't need Music Creator.
You're playing your sax and guitar live so no they won't sound like a midi instrument but the other Biab tracks will. What are you using for midi sound?

Bob

-Bob,

I have the previous version and I am using real tracks.

I just remember plugging my piano in the computer and it really sounded like shit.

-Turns out Brian is right as usual and plugging in my mic into the sound card with the "What you hear" feature"

is pretty good. I just have to plug in the headphones so I can hear BIAB so the Mic does not pick it up.


I just don't know if I should still get a preamp and or mixer or why I even need them.

I thought they would cost a lot more than what has been mentioned.


Ron

Poo, it sounds like poo. Family forum and all that like the kids never hear that....

Anyway, that's why I asked about what you're using for midi sounds. Midi is not Real Tracks. Those are audio and sound great but midi is completely dependent on the quality of your midi synth and Biab includes the VSC Dxi which is decent or cheesy depending on your taste in sound. You can spend around $400 or so for the Ketron SD2 that sounds pretty close to the RT's so that choice is yours.
The reason for a good preamp is to boost the power of your mic's signal plus the preamp itself will greatly increase the sound quality, again depending on how much you spend and the mic you're using. If you think it sounds pretty decent right now, then good, no need for a preamp but I think you would like the better sound. A decent mixer already has pre's built in or you can buy a separate pre and just like the midi synths, the sky's the limit price wise there too. Anywhere from under $100 to thousands.

Bob

Thanks everybody.

I think I will see about the pre amp with a mixer.



Ron

Here is an entirely different way to go:

Not saying the other options already offered might not even be better than my way, so please remember that I am an "old dog" and I am a bit stuck in using my "old tricks", so I have not even tried recording directly into BIAB yet.

With this said you might want to look at a stand alone recorder i.e. Some Recorders on Ebay I know some of these may be a bit out of the price range you spoke about but it is just an example. For instance I bought the Boss 1180CD (which writes directly on a CD) for 500.00 five years ago on Ebay, so I am sure you will find something within your budget.

The reason I like the stand alone is because I can record my BIAB arrangements directly from my computer then add vocals and or instruments to one of the many other available tracks on the recorder. Then I convert to an mp3, bring it into my computer and by using any CD burner make all the CD's I need.

Hope this helps.

Later,

Hi Ron,

The X-Fi Xtreme Gamer package you have has it's own stand alone recorder/player with features to make excellent audio creation files

The only reason you would need a pre-amp is if the mic volume was too low - I manage without one and use the excellent included Creative mixer

The trick is to get the balance right on the Recording panel and then switch to the Playback panel and turn the BIAB volume down whilst doing the recording and then remember to put the Playback volume back afterwards

Brian

I have been recording my sax for years using PG Music products. I now have BIAB and RB. I use Audio Technics AT8532 clip on mic with POWER module with lexicon Lambda interface,with Acer lap top computer.I thought I would forward this information and if I could better this set up please let me know. Ed