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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6 |
Hi, this is my second post, and I'm still in the overwhelmed stage. Many things I could ask, but as I consider how to record audio onto my pc laptop-never have done before- I have a Samson condenser mic with an XLR end that obviously won't fit into my little 1/8" input on the side of my computer, so I assume I will have to shell out a couple hundred or so for a decent interface? Also have a keyboard and acoustic guitar to add in for a possible adding a few notes.
second question, not sure once I get all this how to adjust the volume of the input.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 110
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 110 |
Welcome to the fold. I'm using a Presonus Audiobox USB interface, which can be had for around a hundred bucks. Pretty clean sound and comes with StudioOne Artist DAW. IMO, Well worth the price.
Focusrite is another good brand, but I have never used them, so I can't elaborate.
Input volume can be controlled from the interface.
Last edited by Takamine; 10/12/15 10:49 AM.
Rich
Windows 10, 64 bit | BIAB 2019 PlusPak | Studio One 2 Artist
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
If you are looking to record quality audio, you really should look into getting a USB external audio interface, such as what Rich mentioned. The mic in on a laptop is generally a noisy input, and really designed more to let you do Skype (or similar), not to record quality audio. Most laptops today also do not include a line level input, so your not going to be able to use that microphone input for your keyboard or guitar.
An external interface will generally include a button to provide phantom power, so you can use it with either dynamic or condenser microphones.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6 |
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,808 |
USB interface...external....is the way to go.
For one thing, it's portable, and can easily be moved from one computer to the next unlike the internal sound card/interfaces. Mine is set up to run on my laptop or my custom built desktop DAW.
Be sure it has 1/4" jack inputs and outputs as well as the XLR inputs and phantom power for the low impedance condenser mics.
Most decent interfaces have input level controls and at least one headphone jack with a volume control.
Be sure the inputs have pre-amps on them.
And this is crucial.... be sure that it runs native ASIO and not wrappers and codecs for it's driver.
I'm partial to the focusrite line of interfaces. They have industry leading pristine pre-amps and meet ALL of the requirements for a good home recording interface. They are available in 2 channel models such as I have, up to the multi-channel models for larger studios and recording an entire band live.
Most home studio needs are met with a basic Focusrite interface. I believe I gave $300 for mine but the prices have come down significantly since. If it died today, I'd buy a new Focusrite again to replace it.
My advice to anyone looking to buy an interface is this. Remember that you are purchasing a piece of gear that will become the musical heart of your studio. Everything you do will either go in, or go out through it. Do not scrimp on this purchase. Save a few weeks more if necessary to get the one that you really want. A good interface will make the recording process a pleasure.
A cheap interface will be the source of endless frustration. I've seen people get out of music because they went cheap, got a piece of junk interface, and then thought that all interfaces were the same. They are NOT. So get a decent one to start with.
You will never regret buying a good interface.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6 |
got another question, though I realize this negates audio recording in BIB. (Should say here I have a ZOOM r16 unit with faders and some effects, that have used til now) Until I get an interface, is there a way to export BIB tracks to that unit, after which I would record my vocal and then mix down. Is that doable?
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Aug 2011
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The Zoom R16 records to SD card memory storage. Export your BiaB tracks as WAV or AIFF files. Create a new project on the R16 then you can use the USB connection to transfer the BiaB files into the R16 project. Then you can use the R16 in standalone mode to record your tracks without a computer or leave the R16 attached to your computer and use the R16 as an audio interface to record your tracks into the audio track of BiaB. Try visiting the Zoom forum if you need more help with the R16. ++ Link To Zoom User Forum ++
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,849 |
I used an R16 with Band in a Box for quite some time with no issues.
Since it is also an USB audio interface, skip the sd card and record up to 8 tracks into Cubase or Real Band using Asio drivers and USB. The R8,R16,R24 series have nice quality preamps that are more than adequate to record with. The computer DAW will have better effects and offer automation.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
I used an R16 with Band in a Box for quite some time with no issues.
Since it is also an USB audio interface, skip the sd card and record up to 8 tracks into Cubase or Real Band using Asio drivers and USB. The R8,R16,R24 series have nice quality preamps that are more than adequate to record with. The computer DAW will have better effects and offer automation. Exactly. Also, while this all might seem overwhelming, there is a GREAT free resource that you can go through at your own pace - the Music Production course from Berklee College of Music through Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/learn/music-productionThere is a session going on right now where there are others learning the same things you are learning. It starts tomorrow. You can download the videos and keep them for future reference if the course moves along faster than you would want to expect. -Scott
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6 |
Thanks to all who replied. Some of this is a little over my head right now, but I'm going to refer back to it over a period of time and take it all into account. With a full time job, wife, and just trying to write songs this is all going at a snail;s pace, but I intend to keep trying.
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