Tech: Home recording/ computer question

Subject: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 08:50 PM

Hi folks,

Given the forum, I should be asking about wax cylinders, but times have changed, I'm afraid.

I'm about to purchase a new computer (PC/Pentium) and I'd like to use it with my old Tascam digital portastudio 564 - the mini-disc 4 track with mixer that came out a few years back. My hope is to use the midi or digital coaxial output from the portastudio to make home CDs on the computer. (I assume it will be the midi, since I haven't seen any computers with coaxial inputs.)

So the question is this: what software or specialized hardware do folks recommend? I haven't a lot of spare cash to spend on something elaborate, I'm afraid, but would like to at least be able to put together the CDs. It would be nice if I could do some of the mixdown on computer, but a rough and ready job can be done on the portastudio if necessary.

I assume I'll need at least a midi card (seems basic enough) but have been warned to wait on getting one until I know the software I'll be using. I gather some software only works with certain midi cards. How inconvenient, if it's true!

Thanks for any advice you can give on this one. It doesn't move me closer to putting out the studio CD some of you have asked about, but maybe I'll at least have a demo CD out sometime next year.

Peace,
Dan

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From: OBM
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 09:18 PM

If your Tascam has a coaxial output - presumably SPDIF on a single RCA phono plug - then all you need is a sound card for the PC that has SPDIF sockets. There are loads available and are not expensive, and would enable you to play stuff from the Tascam right into the PC in stereo. If you were to use something like Cool Edit or Sound Forge XP you'd not spend much on the software either. Effectively you could mix multiple versions of a piece straight onto the PC then edit the good bits together. There are several ways of getting .wav files onto audio CDs - I use Easy CD Creator.

You don't need to spend fortunes to get good results. Good luck.

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From:
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 12:54 AM

Lots of software for recording (as well there are files to play with the file after) at:

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/win95/AUDIO_RECORDING/

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/win95/AUDIO_RESTORATION/

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 01:38 AM

I am having great results with Cool Edit 2000 (the cheaper version) If your sound card is of high quality (with a new confuser it SHOULD be) you can manage almost anything if you have the right software.

There was a thread a while back which had some great advice about recording directly to your PC. I learned enough from that one thread to be able to make intelligent decisions as to software and firmware.

I can't remember what that thread was called, perhaps someone reading this can link this thread to it.

CB

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 11:01 PM

CB -

I thought I remembered putting a trace on a couple of threads like you mentioned, but the only thing I find is to Help: transferring vinyl to CD or computer

There's some discussion of audio recording there, but I think I remember one with more detail too.

Maybe something in my notes, when I get a chance to look deeper (it will be about 27 inches deeper in the pile I've got).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From:
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 07:26 AM

Here are a few of the threads pertaining to the subject:

Home Recording
Software Music Studio
Home Recording Studio
Analog to Digital Music
Home Recording Machines
Recording Equipment

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From:
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 09:04 AM

Oh yes, for software, tutorials, etc, try the British magazine

Computer Music

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 01:04 PM

and here is a page of 'helpful hints' about a lot of things, though digital music and recording from old soruces is its focus. It has links to MANY other places..

Digital music +

(Hi, Dan...home for the holidays, perchance?)

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 01:19 PM

refresh/....just in case

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording/ computer question
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 04:03 PM

This may be the same John:

TECH Help: Transferring tape or vinyl to CD

It all happened around the first part of December in the year 2001.

I have a Soundblaster card and bought a pair of balanced mics. I have ordered an ART TPS as a mic pre-amp. I can record directly into my HD with CoolEdit 2000, the mics and the pre-amp. Edit the MP3 files in CoolEdit. Burn the files to a CD with tracks clearly identified (by "hand") and produce a high quality product. Well mostly. I use acoustic instruments (one at a time) and sing. Ergo the two mics. I could record myself with myself if I wanted and probably will sometime in the future just for grins but for now I merely want to present as authentic a representation of my music as possible. I'm putting together CDs for family members and friends and for audition for some summer jobs I have my eye on. I am not a performer, in the strictest sense but of course I perform. Just in open mic or church or basement sessions. If I were a serious musician (and by now most of you certainly know me as a frivilous musician) I would seek more sophisticated gear and soft ware.

CB