Multi-Track Recording for a Dummy

Subject: Multi-Track Recording for a Dummy
From: Gern
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:46 AM

I need help from you home recording experts. I want to create a multi-track digital recording studio off my home computer, and I know nothing about this. I want to record multiple tracks of acoustic instruments and vocals for my own amusement. What products out there work well and operate easily? How do I learn how to do this? Keep in mind you're dealing with a recording and computer novice...can this be done?

Subject: RE: Multi-Track Recording for a Dummy
From: M.Ted
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:08 PM

Check out MBox Basics . It is an easy to use studio-in-a-box device that you can plug in to your computer, via USB--it comes with DigiDesign Pro Tools, which is the recording software that is generally used in the recording industry--It generally costs about $400, including all the software, documentation, and, I believe, also a tutorial DVD--you can usually find it on eBay, too--

You can use it to do multitrack recording, and edit MIDI, as well. Inputs allow you to plug in a mike, a guitar or keyboard, or just about any analog source(including line out from a mixer), again you can plug it into either a Mac or PC, desktop or laptop--only thing to remember is that those audio files are huge, and you can use up 100gb faster than you'd think--

There are other, similar, devices, as well--some a bit less expensive. I just can't remember the names--

You might also consider a stand-alone digital multitrack recorder--there are some that record in MP3 format, and cost in the same or even a bit lower price range--only thing is that you will likely want to edit them on your computer--

Editing is cut and paste similar to what you use for word processing and graphics--so you can do a lot with a little practice--

Subject: RE: Multi-Track Recording for a Dummy
From: Nick
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 06:07 AM

Depends how rich you are!

Cheapest might be to (free) download Audacity which will let you do it. All you would need is a microphone, a reasonable soundcard and a couple of connectors (about £1 each) to go into the line in or mic inputs on the soundcard and it has downloadable help files on how to do it.

If you want to buy software you could buy any number of things. I use Cakewalk Guitar Pro 2 which a friend gave me but I think cost about £40something and allows multiple tracks. Some examples (not folk) of some stuff my son recorded are here which will give some idea of things you can do, or another one here which was a bit of an experiment with voices and editing which again was done with it (it's rough round the edges and there are some grim edits between bits as it was something of an experiment in re-editing something existing but it will give you an idea again - there are something like three guitars and upwards of 7 vocal parts on it from memory). It was all on a shoestring with cheap mics and practically no money spent on things but is not too bad given that - and we're currently getting better results having got more used to experimenting.

If you have a larger budget there are some astounding bits of software you can get.

Subject: RE: Multi-Track Recording for a Dummy
From: Nick
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 07:08 AM

There is a how-to about making a multitrack recording in Audacity here which will let you know what is involved. Not too scary!

Subject: RE: Multi-Track Recording for a Dummy
From: jeffp
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:55 AM

There is a nice comprehensive guide to the whole subject here, which may be of use. Also, once you have a bit of an idea how you want to proceed, the people here
are very knowledgeable and willing to share what they know.

Also, the book Home Recording for Dummies is quite good.

Subject: RE: Multi-Track Recording for a Dummy
From: GUEST,Steve Robinson
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:15 AM

As far as ease of use goes, a stand-alone digital recorder is an attractive option. I'm a little computer phobic myself, so I bought a Korg D1600 and loved it.With a little luck and help from the lovely folks at Korgstudios.com, I recorded my entire "Away For The Day" album on it. If you like you can have a listen to clips at the link below. Good luck with whichever route you choose. All the best, Steve R.

Now listen 'ere!