Recording on to the computer?

Subject: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 11:52 PM

How do I record vocal tracks on to my computer. I have a programme on here somewhere but what I really need to know is... what goes between the mike cable & the computer?

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Francy
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 01:10 AM

Hi Jim......I record into my computer using Rode microphones....I used what is call a Mobile Pre USB...It is a small baox with two inputs one for guitar mic and one for vocal mic.....each input has a separate preamp for quality ...and this goes into my recording program with high quality ...I use Cubase as a recording program.....Hope I didn't confuse the issue too much.....Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Scrump
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 03:25 AM

You can plug a mic of sorts into the sound card (as used for MSN etc.) but I guess you are looking to record song vocals which might require something a bit higher quality? But you could try that first if you have a mic with a small jack connector, just to see what results you get.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 03:26 AM

"I used what is call a Mobile Pre USB" Not confusing me yet Frank.
I use an AKG C1000S microphone. Has a 9volt battery and takes phantom power. That's my mike of choice. Will it do? All I want is one mike running, zero effects, onto whichever programme I have. (will probably try yours)

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 03:30 AM

Sorry Scrump: we were writing at the same time. Yes, it has to be high quality. Sounds like Francy's on top of it though. Thank You Both. I'm sure I have enough info right there.
Regards

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 03:55 AM

Francy: I checked out "Rode Mcrophones". Great, one of my buddys uses one. At least he did until I turned him on to AKG. So I know he isn't using it.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Grab
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 05:26 AM

What you need is a mic preamp, first off.

What do you usually use for performing? Nearly all guitar amps have a "preamp out" (either an FX loop out or line out or something), so you could use that. Or use a mixer of some kind. Be warned that PC soundcards generally record at lower levels than PA stuff uses, so check the levels in your recording program.

Then feed the amplified result into the "line in" socket on your PC soundcard. The "line in" is stereo so there are left and right connections - if you're only recording one mic track at a time, it doesn't matter which one you use. You can get connectors from electronics shops (places like Maplin in the UK or Circuit City in the US) which have a stereo mini-jack (3.5mm) on one end and two regular instrument jacks on the other end.

You'll usually get better quality by doing the analogue-to-digital conversion outside of the PC - the inside of a PC is generally electrically noisy - which means getting some external box of tricks like Frank mentions. And by using a dedicated mic preamp instead of just a guitar amp (the external box of tricks may come with a mic preamp, or it may record at line level in which case you'll need a separate mic preamp). You're talking extra gear here though, so it depends on whether what you get with what you've got is good enough. If it isn't, you can spend any amount from around £50 for a basic preamp and USB cable up to thousands for your high-end studio kit.

Program-wise, Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net) is free, and it's good enough for basic recording. Once you start talking multitrack then Audacity starts to fall down, but it's OK for simple stuff.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: GUEST,Grimmy
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 06:34 AM

If you don't mind snap, crackle and pop with your music, then recording via a soundcard is OK. However, most soundcards (even the expensive, high-end ones) are optimised for output NOT input and the results can be decidedly grainy.

If your budget can stretch that far I would recommend buying an audio input device - I use a Tascam US-122 USB device, though there is no shortage of alternatives. It just plugs into (and is powered by) the computer's USB port. The results are far superior. The Tascam comes bundled with Cubase recording software.

http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-122.html

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 08:58 AM

Heres what I done, i bought A JVC "Audio 3.5mm Plug to 3.5mm Plug with 3.5mmm to 6.3mm Adapter" 1.5 Metre lead. it was in a box and cost £9.99. I have a Aiwa stero in the house and I just plug the adapters into the phones hole in front of the stero and the other side into the blue hole at the back of the computer, I Record the songs on to a software program called "Audio cleaning Lab Deluxe 3.o" then you can clean the songs up, remove the hiss and crackle from the songs, and then burn on to a CD using the same software.The software also has MP3 Encoder if you want to use it. I think "amazon" is one of the places were you can buy the "Audio cleaning lab Deluxe.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: jeffp
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:06 AM

A lot depends on your ultimate goal. Do you want to just get some stuff down for fun? Do you want to make a demo CD to get gigs with? Or do you want to record a CD for sale? If you want to record a CD to sell, you will need higher quality hardware than if you are just wanting the digital equivalent of a cheap cassette recorder. If you are going to want to record more than 2 tracks at a time, you will probably want a firewire interface, rather than USB. Then there are audio processing function, such as compression, reverb, etc. You would be amazed how much judicious use of these can help your recordings.

As you can see, it can be a very complicated question depending on your purpose in recording. Home Recording for Dummies is a good investment before spending significant money.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Francy
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 03:30 PM

Jim...Your AKG will work just fine....this Mobile PreUSB has what is called phantom power and that will work with that AKG///Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: nutty
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 03:35 PM

If you just want to do a simple recording ... then 'Voice Recorder' which is in your 'Accessories' folder will be adequate. Just plug your mic into your computer and GO ...... it's as simple as that.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 08:42 PM

but the 'voice recorder' is..or at least used to be..limited to one minute at a time.. better to start with some of the programs mentioned. If the mic will plug into the sound input, you can quickly do a couple of test using 'voice recorder', though, to see what it's like.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 09:07 PM

There was a way to spoof that by splicing one minute of silence together many times then using a copy of that file to record over.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:29 PM

All good stuff. The AKG has a pre-amp, hence the battery. And the portable USB should do the trick. The whole idea is to get one vocal track on to a disc with as little machinery and as few connections between the mike and finished product as possible. I knew you guys would have the answer.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 12:46 AM

For Aussies

The latest Silicon Chip Mag has an ad from Altronics (www.altronics.com.au)

Compact mini mixer ref A2620 AUD $22.95

4 x 6.35mm mini mike input - 1 master - 9v battery or plugpack extra

~~~~~
They have had for some time an AUD$600 11 channel Pro AV mixer ref A2650 now reduced in price (prev $850)

This sale ends dec 31 - but not sure if these 2 will go up in proce after that date.


They have a bunch of resellers all over the place - see their site.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 12:53 AM

er - try Jan 31....

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 11:54 AM

The quality of the microphone is really important--the better the mike, the better the sound--however, after the microphone, the most important thing is the quality of the conversion to digital--there are specialized converters for music, as mentioned above, get one of these, not the little microphone converters that all the computer stores have, they aren't music quality--and there are some fairly good ones that don't cost much--there is an mBox usb unit you can get at Target (they now have a tiny musical instrument dept in most stores!) for $99.00. You can record Demo quality stuff with that, more money buys more input and mixing options, and bundled software.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: jeffp
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 12:39 PM

The AKG C1000S is a nice microphone, but it doesn't have a preamp. The battery is required in the absence of phantom power. All condensor microphones require power to operate. They output at microphone level and require a microphone preamp to come up to line level.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Francy
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 01:50 PM

that's right jeffp....the mobile pre usb i talked about has two mic inpups, w/ prepamps for both, and also has phantom power......the reason I recommmend this is because it puts quality sound into your computer and hence into a recording program......I use Cubase and after some mastering within that program.....my sound is CD quality.....Frank of Toledo......The average price is around $130 with a recording program......

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 02:01 PM

All good stuff. I'll be going with the "Rode" though and stick to the KISS theory. I thought the AKG had a built in pre-amp so thanks for the info. I should get the manual out and read it I suppose.
It's an awesome live mike and has saved my voice from a lot of wear and tear. Try it. You'll use your "Sure" for a paperweight when your done.
Thanks to all.
Jim

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: jeffp
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 02:37 PM

I have a Mobile Pre myself, but quickly found it inadequate for my needs. I bought a Presonus Firepod, which has 8 mike preamps and connects to the computer with firewire. It also allows me to patch in a compressor to the input stream for people who can't sing with even volume. Unfortunately, Gear Acquisition Syndrom reared its ugly head and now I have a dedicated recording computer (custom built), a 2-channel compressor, patch bay, power conditioner, monitors and a growing collection of microphones. I still use the mobile pre with my laptop for small-scale location recording.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Francy
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 03:12 PM

If a person just need quality sound for voice and acoustic guitar with no "effects" the Mobile Pre USB wokrs just fine......that's why , after listening to you Jim I thought that would be adequate...Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: bobad
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 04:12 PM

I recorded a New Year party, kitchen table sing around by simply plugging, via adaptors, an AKG microphone into the microphone socket of my computer. After cleaning up a little mic hum using a wave editor (Nero) the results, though not high fidelity, were quite acceptable with voice and guitar coming through loud and clear.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: reggie miles
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 10:16 PM

Last July the big music chain store in the area had a sale and I picked up an E-MU 1820. It has phantom power and preamps built in to it and two hi/low inputs. It seems to have everything that I might need to get the job done of recording just my guitar and voice. I'm not really looking for a lot of extra bells and whistles. It came with some Cubase software.

Unfortunately, I'm having difficulty with figuring out the how to aspects of this new gear. What I had hoped would make the process easier and better has only made it more complex. I think I'm able to get sound into the program but can't hear anything that I've recorded via my headphones or speakers when playing the recording back. So, I'm uncertain as to what if anything is being captured.

One question I have is, do I need to also use a mixer inbetween this interface and my mic, or, will the mixer just muck up the signal?

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: jeffp
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 10:42 PM

Damn, Reggie, that's a nice unit. I checked it out at ZZounds. A couple of questions about your monitoring problem.

Are your speakers plugged into the E-mu box?

Did you load the proper firmware?

Have you contacted E-mu? They probably have some sort of technical support.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: reggie miles
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 03:41 AM

Yup, I had the speakers (stereo type with a component amp) plugged into the proper outs on the unit. Even if the speakers didn't work due to some poor connection or patch cord issue, the headphones should have. Actually, the speakers and cords do work just fine via my other sound card. Nope, I have not tried to contact the makers yet. That other sound card may be the issue. I'll try once again to reinstall the software as directed and see if that'll fix this bug.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 03:52 AM

Francy: I'm taking your advice on the "Rode" because my producer doesn't think much of the AKG for recording. I think the Rode will be a little cleaner. Interesting to read this other stuff though. There is just so much gear available to us now. Boggles the mind.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: treewind
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 04:49 AM

The AKG C1000S has a terrible reputation among professional audio engineers. It sounds great if you've never used a condenser mic before, but when you get used to it you start noticing it's got a very shrill edge to its sound (which you previously mistook for "clarity").

In the same price range, the Audio-Technica AT2020 (a side addess large diaphragm mic) is much better value for sound quality and versatility. At other prices, almost anything made by A-T comes out well. Rode kit is generally good value too. I have an NT2A as main vocal recording mic in my home studio.

But if you're that concerned about the details of sound quality, before you waste your budget on premium mics you need to look at room treatment and monitoring...

Anahata

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 06:53 AM

"That other sound card may be the issue."

oh dear - if you have 2 sound cards plugged in at once - they may conflict...

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: jeffp
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 09:31 AM

Check "Sounds and Audio Devices" in your Control Panel. Make sure the E-mu is selected for sound playback on the Audio tab.

Ditto on the Audio-Technica mikes. I have an AT-3035 which I use for vocals. I also have a matched pair of Joe Meek SDC mikes which I use for acoustic guitar. Very nice results.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: oggie
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 01:04 PM

We use a large diaphram USB condensor mike from Samson direct into the USB port for vocals and 'real'instruments. Latency is almost nil and we can synchronise with virtual instruments and keyboards which we patch through a midi-router.

oggie

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 01:17 PM

Thanks Treewind: The AKG will continue to be by mike of choice for performing. I defer to you & the rest of you on all things studio. A clean, flat sound is all I need and I have a couple of rooms to choose from. This will be for some A capella work so zero room echo is a must. Lip smacks and effects can be taken care of in the studio.
This is a great way to save money on studio time if any of you are interested.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 04:45 AM

Help!
Have been recording tapes-cassettes-vinyl onto computer via an amplifier for quite a while with no problem.
In the last couple of days the recordings have develped an echo.
'Tisn't the amp, record, cassette or tape deck, as all have been replaced without success, nor is it the programme (Adobe 1.5) which I have re-installed.
Faulty sound card?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 05:48 AM

Very amateur suggestion here: you could record onto a minidisc, which can give very nice sound, and then plug your stereo (if it plays minidiscs) into your computer and record the minidisc onto the computer.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: jeffp
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 08:08 AM

Check your output routing withing Cubase too. I'm not sure exactly where it is in LE, but look in the VST instruments area. That sets up the routing for the input and output busses.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Bernard
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 12:52 PM

Many sound cards have 'listening environment' options which you can change - simple ones such as 'laptop stereo speakers', 'desktop stereo speakers' and the like, but some other options can introduce a reveb/echo/chorus type of effect.

Open 'Control Panel' where you shoud find 'Sounds and Audio Devices', and click the 'Advanced' button next to the Speaker Volume button.

Maybe some recently installed or upgraded programme has altered the setting... I sometimes find that downloaded MIDI files do daft things like that, too.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: bobad
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 01:45 PM

Jim

You can also try to find if the program that came with your sound card has a RESTORE DEFAULTS option and try that. A similar thing occured with mine and that fixed it.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 06:46 PM

GUEST,JTT:
          The minidisc is what I used before and would again if I still had it. I think that, coupled with Francy's ideas would be the ideal way to go.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: JohnB
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 12:05 PM

If your Cubase is anything like mine, there is a monitor toggle switch in a pull down menu. When you pull down the menu, if it says "monitor off" then the monitors are "ON" if it says "monitor on" then they are "OFF". It is a comand thing so if you want monitors On make sure that the pulldown next command is a stetement of monitors "off"
Hope you get that, JohnB.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 03:01 PM

Thanks for all the help folks - especially bobad - worked like a charm.
Buy you a pint if you ever come to Miltown Malbay (West Clare).
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 05:39 PM

Okay: So, I've ordered an Audio Interface and am also looking at a USB Mike with Audio Interface. All words that I didn't know when I started this thread.
Any Tips?

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 11:07 AM

Anyone?

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Darowyn
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 02:49 PM

How many do you want? I teach this for a living.
I'd say that number one is to watch your levels. Digital recorders, including computers, must never be allowed to "peak"- go over their max signal level. The digital distortion cause sounds horrible.
If you have ordered an audio interface, you can use a standard Mic, you don't need a USB one as well.
I could go on about digital recording for two years- in fact I do, which is why they send me money every month.
You could try a visit to
Sound on Sound Magazine
which is edited by my friend Paul White, whom I heard playing in the Park today.
Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 03:06 PM

Thanks Dave.
The additional mike would be as an alternative or standby solution.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 01:40 AM

This is what I came in looking for.
Boy, 3 1/2 years later and I have a complete studio in the basement, 2 albums made and another on the way.
Getting better at it too.
I get quite embarrassed at some of my own questions and answers on this thread.
Notice Scrump was one of the first to respond.
The guy was a class act.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 04:31 PM

There was a similar thread this month, where the most common advice was a portable digital recorder, plus Audacity.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 04:36 PM

Here's the link.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 06:11 AM

For some reason I cannot fathom, I cannot record streaming sound on to my XP Pro computer, which is a real pain.

Subject: RE: Recording on to the computer?
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 01:21 PM

Anonymous Guest... It's usually the advanced volume control recording settings - look for something switched off or turned down, typically 'Stereo Mix' or 'Wav'... and make sure the soundcard is enabled for recording - it could be disabled by a USB device, for example turntable or headphones.