I want to record some music just from my house. This would be mainly acoustic guitar and piano. I need something that would allow me to transfer the tracks to a computer as well. Any ideas that are cheap (relatively)?

Looking for mic or software or both?

 

I do home recording in a band so I can tell you what you need to know.

I use a TASCAM US-144 soundcard, which plugs directly into your computer/laptop. it's fairly pricey to do if you want good quality.

 

the TASCAM is just the hardware too, apart from that I mic up my acoustic guitar with an SE ELECTRONICS SE1A Microphone which uses phantom power, but don't worry, the TASCAM supports it.

 

then as for software, well, I use CUBASE STUDIO 4 edition. which a year ago cost me £100

so probably cheaper now, or even just online. you'll need a cable to plug the mic from the mic itself into the soundcard and a popshield (£20) if you want to record vocals, which you can do with the SE1A mic.

 

I'm sorry but this is the cheapest way to do it with quality. it cost me about £400 altogether.

 

if you want to check out the quality of the sound then go to www.myspace.com/agesixraceruk and listen to the song "intro" which was done with everything that I just explained.

 

"your call" which is a cover was also recorded using the above, and is a good example of a plain acoustic song and how that would sound.

 

:)

Looking for mic or software or both?

 

I do home recording in a band so I can tell you what you need to know.

 

Well basically I have nothing, so I need anything that would enable me to record an acoustic guitar track, a piano track, and a vocal track (not all simultaneously necessarily). This means a mic, hardware, and a software program.

I use a Samson recording microphone (it's USB so it's quick to plug in) and Magix Music Maker software. Great quality and a lot of available effects and features.

 

 

Overall cost about $150, but the software is good and the mic has amazing quality pick-up. Works well for me.

 

Even if you go with other software, I highly recommend a Samson mic. For a little under $100 you could get supreme sound quality, durability, and ease of use.

Amazing microphone, buy this and you'll never need another:

 

 

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1810&brandID=2

 

 

 

Good music software, but if you want to spring for more you can always find better:

 

 

http://www.magix.com/us/music-maker/

isn't magix used for Dance beats?

 

I think me and my friend kieron used that once to record a few things.

it was quite good.

but it's nowhere near the sophistication of cuebase.

Amazing microphone, buy this and you'll never need another:

 

 

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1810&brandID=2

 

 

 

Good music software, but if you want to spring for more you can always find better:

 

 

http://www.magix.com/us/music-maker/

 

So if I bought that mic and that program, that's all I would need to record vocals, acoustic guitar and piano tracks? And the quality would be good?

isn't magix used for Dance beats?

 

I think me and my friend kieron used that once to record a few things.

it was quite good.

but it's nowhere near the sophistication of cuebase.

I'll have to check out cuebase then

 

 

but for a starter I recommend Magix because it's cheap, good quality, and easy to operate.;)

So if I bought that mic and that program, that's all I would need to record vocals, acoustic guitar and piano tracks? And the quality would be good?

yes. it comes with a USB cable so all you need is to install the software and plug in and you're all set. then you can export the files to MP3's and WMA's, etc. You can listen to and share your recordings instantly.;)

Cuebase is what 95% of studios in the world use.

 

coldplay use cuebase in the bakery.

I don't know if this is of any use at all, but on the topic of software.. I just learned about Mixcraft a month or so ago, and have been using the free demo version of it, and I really love it. Its simple to use, does a lot of things for you, and also comes with a nice variety of midi instruments (in case that's something you're also looking for). ...I feel like an infomercial. But, I'd had a copy of my cousin's Cakewalk Guitar Tracks for yearrrs, and I already like Mixcraft's interface more (for now) :nice:

 

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

 

edit: true about Cubase.. I just haven't had the patience to work out how to use it :/

Cuebase is what 95% of studios in the world use.

 

coldplay use cuebase in the bakery.

how much is it? is it hard to operate?

I don't know if this is of any use at all, but on the topic of software.. I just learned about Mixcraft a month or so ago, and have been using the free demo version of it, and I really love it. Its simple to use, does a lot of things for you, and also comes with a nice variety of midi instruments (in case that's something you're also looking for). I'd has a copy of my cousin's Cakewalk Guitar Tracks for yearrrs, but I like Mixcraft more (for now) :nice:

 

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

 

edit: true about Cubase.. I just haven't had the patience to work out how to use it :/

looks very similar to Magix

I don't know if this is of any use at all, but on the topic of software.. I just learned about Mixcraft a month or so ago, and have been using the free demo version of it, and I really love it. Its simple to use, does a lot of things for you, and also comes with a nice variety of midi instruments (in case that's something you're also looking for). ...I feel like an infomercial. But, I'd had a copy of my cousin's Cakewalk Guitar Tracks for yearrrs, and I already like Mixcraft's interface more (for now) :nice:

 

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

 

edit: true about Cubase.. I just haven't had the patience to work out how to use it :/

 

Hey, I listened to your music myspace not so long ago.

you're actually out of this world.

 

marry me.... marry me NOW!

how much is it? is it hard to operate?

 

no, it's easy to operate if you know what you're doing.

 

it can be costly though.

look for it online, mine was £100 but that was last year

and, it comes with it's own editing and mixing functions for the professional sound.

no, it's easy to operate if you know what you're doing.

 

it can be costly though.

look for it online, mine was £100 but that was last year

and, it comes with it's own editing and mixing functions for the professional sound.

Yeah, I looked at it. Seems very good and professional.

 

But definitely NOT for a beginner. Magix I think is a good starting point. Once you get used to it, if you really want superior software, then go for expensive stuff like that. But for a beginner, something like Magix is ideal.;)

So I plug the mic in, the program recognizes it, then it lets me record multiple tracks and then mix them together?

So I plug the mic in, the program recognizes it, then it lets me record multiple tracks and then mix them together?

mm hmm (:

eep, double post as well, sorry.

 

...It wasn't to be funny either. its chilly in my room, and I shivered when I clicked submit (what are the odds)

 

Bah. Anyway, its actually really simple with these programs.. you can record track by track (or simultaneously), and then mix your levels/effects/etc the way you like, convert to .mp3 (or whatever you wish) and viola. instant hit :P

So I plug the mic in, the program recognizes it, then it lets me record multiple tracks and then mix them together?

yep.

ok awesome, i think i'll go with that. thanks!

yeah thanks everyone for the input and research, really appreciate it