Tech: Recording on Computers

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: Jim Lad
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 05:31 PM

He's got some portable gear that ain't tied to his computer, including some effects that plug in (rather than use the software effects) and some nice wee mics. for instruments.
There's a great shop for acoustic instruments up past the Uni but that's not the place to go for this gear.
That other one, downtown, the big one...close to the library.... that's the place. I saw a Tascam in Tom Lees today that comes with the microphone, for just over $200.
I've had a week of impending migraines. Lucky if I can remember my own name right now!

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 09:09 PM

"patch bay"

A 'box' that uses wiring cords to route signals, one at a time each by a seperate cable, between a set of outputs and a set of inputs. The 'box & cables' these days may be real for analogue signals or 'virtual' - simulated in software that usually works for digitised (or analogue converted to digital) signals.


"dbx two-channel compressor/limiter "

dbx - it's easiest to look that up on Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dbx_%28noise_reduction%29

2 channels - obvious

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression

also usefully read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_War

All you have to do is copy and paste the links...

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: Bee
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 10:26 PM

Thank you, gentlemen.

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: GUEST,van lingle
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 06:51 AM

Hey Bee, I keep it pretty bare bones, I have a Samson C01U USB large diaphragm condenser mic (about $90 from Amazon) that plugs directly into a USB port. I use it with free Audacity software to record tunes by friends that I want to learn and occasionally make pretty decent multi-track recordings with it as well. I'm looking into getting a Rolls GCI 404 audio interface ($100 from Zsounds) so I can use my analog mics and go in direct with amps as well and put vinyl to CD.Good luck.

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: Jim Lad
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 07:40 AM

GUEST,van lingle:
                Save your money, Bud. I have the Rolls GCI 404.
Complete waste of space. Far too noisy and unreliable. Unless you're going to keep it external then you'll need to shop around for the right fittings and probably modify the housing to fit in your tower. Trust me. It's garbage.
The Samson sounds like a good idea though. They get great reviews.
As for your mics... Until we learn to talk Digital, they're all analog.
The Samson has a built in audio interface which converts the signal to digital
You can buy an Audio interface cheaper than that Rolls and plug your mic. into that.
"Line in" is good enough for the vinyl. I couldn't get my Rolls to handle that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: GUEST,van lingle
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 08:47 AM

Thanks Jim.

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: Maryrrf
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 09:03 AM

I bought the Lexicom Lambda and I'm not too happy with it. It seems to generate a lot of random noise such as crackling and popping and sometimes distorts and cuts out, for no reason that I can figure. Other users with Vista have also reported some problems. I haven't had it for that long and intend to keep working with it - perhaps I'll work it out - could be I'm doing something wrong. It came with a 'light' version of Cubase and I'd prefer something simpler like Audacity, but can't get Audacity to work with the Lexicon.   

And I agree about the benefits of going to a studio,with a computer you can get a pretty good sound - but a good studio and an experienced audio person can make it a lot better!

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: mattkeen
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 11:08 AM

maryrrf
the crackling and popping is almost certainly to do with buffer settings and sample rates or drivers etc.

If you don't know what any of that means its sometimes worth contacting your local college who prob do music technology courses - don't go on one, just contact the tech guys or tutors who work there and for an hour or 2's pay they are normally glad of the extra work involved in coming to sort it out for you.

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: Darowyn
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 11:42 AM

"don't go on one, just contact the tech guys or tutors who work there"

Are you trying to do me out of a job?
Go on a course, you can spend five years there if you go from basics to degree level.
At the end of it you will be able to speak sound-techie Martian just like all the people on this thread that you can't understand. You'll also be making good recordings.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: mattkeen
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 12:49 PM

OK go on one

Subject: RE: Tech: Recording on Computers
From: mattkeen
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 12:52 PM

Seriously - I assumed that that the poster may not want to go into it that deeply.


I did - and worked in studios from 1985 to 1995