Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 33
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 33 |
Hello;
I am interested in learning more about recording vocals and instruments on my PC.
I’d like to record from 2 mics simultaneously and a guitar (possibly simultaneously but not a requirement) and record as I play/sing along with a Midi track being played in Power Tracks.
I’d like to be able to edit each recorded track individually.
I have experimented with connecting a small mixer to my Audigy 2's line in. Sometimes the sound quality that I capture isn’t that good. I’m thinking about purchasing a USB interface in hopes that I would capture better sound quality when recording.
I have looked at Tascam’s US-122MKII (approx $150 Cdn) and Digidesign’s Mbox 2 (approx $450 Cdn).
My computer and mic is as follows:
P4 - 2.8GHz 2 GB ram (max allowed on MB) Audigy 2 XP 250 GB HD Alto mixing board Shure 57, Shure 58
Any suggestions on what I should research? Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
I'm an experienced analog recordist, sound engineer, and musician, but PC recording was about to get the best of me. So I broke down and bought PC Recording Studios for Dummies. A few nights of study and things became clearer. I paid around $22; it's currently available for $15. Don't spend any money until you feel certain you understand exactly what you are trying to do and how you want to accomplish it. You are in one of the best possible communities for learning. Keep asking questions and do some reading and things will begin to make sense. R. P.S.: The book title is a link to amazon.com.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hi, You didn't mention your budget, as there are so many interfaces available, from under $100 to over $5000. I suggest you check out the New M-audio Fastrack USB. It is a portable little unit that uses USB. You have both Mic and line inputs, phantom power, direct line use, ASIO 2, and Pro Tools essentials software all for $120. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrkUSB2/Cheap, easy to set up and use, and sounds great. After you really understand your software and recording techniques, you can always upgrade to something more "High End". I also advise you to check and understand the system requirnments of of your PC prior to installing the unit and software. Good luck! Ed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,161
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,161 |
Also visit http://audiominds.com for more free reading material. They have quite a bit of the basic information available there. I agree with Ryszard above - don't buy equipment as a guess. (unless you have excess money you just want to throw at it) With those two mics you should be able to get a decent recording. Line out of mixer into line in of Soundcard, and proper drivers selected in the software should get you a decent sound. You may just need to understand gain (and gain staging) to get better sound.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
Journeyman
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484 |
Hi Jally, I would look for a USB/Firewire Audio Interface. It not only makes cable hookup easier, but the audio in/out is better than one that comes with the PC. Audigy is a good gamer sound card. But, for recording, there are different dynamics in my opinion. Being you are looking primarily for two inputs I would go with the simple interfaces that normally run about $150 US. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Fast-Track-MKII-USB-Interface?sku=703669 take a look at this one as an option. I use something called Saffire by a company called, Focusrite. For recording I use Cakewalk Home Studio. That software contains everything one would need to create a home recording: the ability to import MIDI files, record live tracks... almost infinite amount of them, post mix your processing effects and EQ, mastering, etc. I look forward to hearing some of your tunes once you have decided what to record with. RickeG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193 |
Jally, Before you go out spending a whole lot of money, unless there is something substantially wrong with your Audigy 2 card, then I would say that you have everything you need already.
Let's go back and look at a couple of things.
First, if you want to use two mics and record them at the same time, you can pan one channel hard left, and the other channel hard right, then record that track as two separate mono tracks, instead of a stereo track. That will give you one mic in a mono track which will allow you to edit individually. The Alto mixer, which I've not seen before, but looks very much like a Behringer (at least the one I looked at) should give you good sounds. However, a lot depends on how you hook it up to your Audigy 2 card.
Secondly, is your Audigy 2 a real card, or a chipset on the motherboard? A real card is preferable. Make sure that you send the Tape Out from the Alto to the Line In on the card, and unless you overdrive the input of the card, you should get relatively good sound. The card really isn't that bad.
Your PowerTracks or Real Band can send midi to the Audigy 2 card, which can be loaded with SoundFonts, some quite good, which will allow you to have a better sounding MIDI sound than using Windows built in synth. Of course, having a high quality synth module like the Ketron SD2 would be better yet, and that could also be plugged into the mixer.
You can use that set up to record multiple tracks, one right after the other.
What you can not do with this set up, or even most USB/Firewire set ups, is to have multiple Audio interfaces. Whereas a PCI card like the M-Audio 1010lt would allow you five stereo ins and five stereo outs, each one is assignable to a different track, giving you up to five stereo tracks to record from at the same time the Audigy won't. Record a stereo or two mono tracks is the best you're going to get from the Audigy or most USB interfaces.
Finally, you need to find out why the recording IS good sometimes with your Audigy, and sometimes it isn't. If you've changed something, then you need to find the 'sweet spot' and leave everything there. That's why Rys suggested the recording books, they WILL help a lot in laying down the basic understanding.
HTH,
Gary
Last edited by Gary Curran; 01/20/10 01:49 PM.
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 33
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 33 |
Thanks for the ideas everyone. I’ve archived your postings. I will do some reading and some more tinkering with my Audigy 2 and Alto S-8.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 238
Apprentice
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 238 |
2008 Gibson ES-339 Custom & 2010 Les Paul Traditional. Fender SCXD Amp BIAB/RB 2015 UltraPAK + Ketron SD2 Windows 7/64 Intel i5 3550 PC, Tascam USB144MKII Behringer X1204 Mixer Bose Companion 3 and/or L1 II w/T1 + SM58 MIC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342 |
I agree with the others regarding the collection of info (Audiominds.com is a very good starting point!) As for the interface: You are currently using your SB-card to record. While you CAN record with it, the device was not actually made to record music in a descent quality. You mentioned you want to be able to record 2 mics simultaneously. You also already had a look at a Tascam UL122 at $150. This is a very good device. You can however get the UL122 for about $120, the Tascam UL144 will cost you about $150. Most interfaces nowadays come with a lite-version of top class DAW's an sometimes even with additional software. Tascam ships Cubase 4 LE with the UL-series.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992 |
Jally re interface. zzounds.com has a slew of interfaces which you can sort from low price to high price. one particular brand that i keep on hearing is good due to convertor quality in the ADA stages is echo for the price. but caveat emptor as always. run your own tests n make sure you can return any device if it dont play nice with your puter.
retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE ! "what is the black art of audio engineering ?" my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning see my tips in the tips section.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,277
Posts777,265
Members39,609
|
Most Online25,754 Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|