Recording Equipment Question

[Velvet Phelts]

I've been down the home recording wormhole a few times. By the time I get nearly ready to actually record (months) I'm worn out. I know there are some who can get there, not me. Computer wasn't a good trip at all. Very poor sound when I did it. I found that even a hand held Korg with two mic's built in or plug ins for other mic's got great results.... as anything complicated.
Frankly though, For all the attempts and money I spent, I should have just went to a local recording studio!. $25-30 an hour.

Man I haven't seen $25-$30 an hour for over 4 decades. When I started accumulating recording equipment Fat Trax in Bakersfield was reaching $100 per hour. That was in the late 90's.

 

[midnightright]

I might be able to get on our level Midnight, let me give it a try. Once you record your song, then edit it, on Audacity you send the song (export) the file to a destination (my music, my documents, etc.), then (and I don't know that you have to do this), I sent it to an "audio host". In my case, I used "Soundclick". At that point, you have it stored and it's saved, and you can share it. In fact, once you send it to a destination, or folder, it is saved.

Does that make sense?

From the beginning (and I've learned all of this since you started this thread), your microphone or instrument can't just record to the computer (that I'm aware of), so you need what's called an "interface" in order to do it. The interface (in my case Focusrite) turns your analog microphone signal into a digital signal so it can be heard (recorded) by the computer. When you buy your interface, you download a driver and software in order to run the interface and allow it and the computer to communicate.

At that point, you need a "DAW" or Digital Audio Workstation. That's what Audacity (and a whole host of other DAWs) is. The DAW allows you to take your music, and edit out the distortion, the highs, the lows, and save your music.

It wasn't that hard to get started.......even for me. and I AM the most tech challenged person I know.

Any of you, PLEASE feel free to correct or clarify anything I've said. It's a huge learning curve for me as well. Midnight, if you know all of this and I'm insulting your intelligence, please forgive me.

West

Nope! This is exactly, "precisely" what I'd needed. Someone to translate and fill in the gaps, that everyone else already knows, and is thought to be automatic, or common knowledge. And while I am in my 40's I did not get a computer with internet connection in my home until about 5 years ago, or so! Maybe that explains some things... (though, probably it does not!)!

 

[Cougar]

Here you go Cougar. Tell me if I've fixed the volume problem? Same song.

Yes, volume problem fixed! And good playing for a test track. The only other thing it needs, IMO, is some work on the EQ. Just needs to dial back the treble a bit. AFAIK, most DAWs have a "plug-in" that you can pull up and mess with the EQ of an existing track.

 

[Cougar]

...Can these files be run back through Audacity to re-edit them?

I'm not sure exactly what files you're referring to, but generally you can take a sound file and import it onto a track in your DAW. You just have to have an empty audio track set up to accept it. Then you can listen to that track on headphones and add another track playing along with it. I've always loved multitracking!

 

[swiveltung]

Man I haven't seen $25-$30 an hour for over 4 decades. When I started accumulating recording equipment Fat Trax in Bakersfield was reaching $100 per hour. That was in the late 90's.

Local guys, home studios. Some are really good, some are just attempting it! Be careful. There are a few up here in my area PNW. We did a whole album at $25 an hour in 2018. He went to $30 right after we finished. I suppose it depends on how many are around your area. "supply and demand"

 

[West R Lee]

I'm not sure exactly what files you're referring to, but generally you can take a sound file and import it onto a track in your DAW. You just have to have an empty audio track set up to accept it. Then you can listen to that track on headphones and add another track playing along with it. I've always loved multitracking!

That's what I was referring to. In other words, can you ONLY "edit" what you're recording at the time, or can I take like my old Soundclick songs and run them back through Audacity to edit them? I think you can, but it keeps telling me I need an FFMEPG or something along those lines. When I go to upload/download/unload/offload those (however you refer to the process), it keeps asking me for money.

West

 

[Cougar]

...can I take like my old Soundclick songs and run them back through Audacity to edit them?

You sure ought to be able to, but I don't know what kind of format a "soundclick song" might be in, so direct import might be complicated by proprietary software, although there are probably "converters." Regardless, you can always just "play" the song, using whatever device is handy, which you plug into your audio interface, and record that anew in your DAW, just like it's an instrument. I did that (seems like 20 years ago) using a copy of this piece that I had on cassette tape, which was recorded probably as many years before that!

 

[Stuball48]

Ernie Ball Slinky's 10--46

 

[midnightright]

This might be the stupidest question of all, and somewhat unrelated. . . But! How does one go about getting recorded video from iPhone to Laptop? So as to be able to upload to YouTube? I’ve only figured out how to do the ‘IG’ route, which is of course, more of a one-step process, or concerted mechanism. I was thinking sending the video via email? But maybe there’s a better way. I have a PC, if that makes a difference—

 

[midnightright]

Sorry! Just realized I might be able to do it all on my phone - doh’! :/

 

[AcornHouse]

Heads up. If you’re looking for an inexpensive condenser mic to dabble with, today’s Stupid Deal of the Day over at Musicians friend looks good.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid?source=3TP0HVBA&dtm_em=ae55d2486edbf13efee0a0ffb40ff724

 

[Br1ck]

Something to dabble with, yes. It does give you some idea of manufacturing costs though.

 

[Rayk]

You sure ought to be able to, but I don't know what kind of format a "soundclick song" might be in, so direct import might be complicated by proprietary software, although there are probably "converters." Regardless, you can always just "play" the song, using whatever device is handy, which you plug into your audio interface, and record that anew in your DAW, just like it's an instrument. I did that (seems like 20 years ago) using a copy of this piece that I had on cassette tape, which was recorded probably as many years before that!

Yikes hehehe i used two tape recorders for multi tracking. Lol speed kept changing . Lmao

Just kept in mind your adding more noise by playing a recording song from a individual source meaning putting a mic in front of speakers .

Another thing is when multi tracking is done that completed track would be difficult to put back into edit as you cant separate the tracks .

Its best to keep a folder and save the project so anyone can go back and edit it if needed .

I like Audacity but only for its editing abilities.

 

[Cougar]

Just kept in mind your adding more noise by playing a recording song from a individual source meaning putting a mic in front of speakers....

True! You can minimize that noise if you can patch directly from your CD or cassette player to your audio interface. But yeah, you've got to count on that input to be mixed well since it all comes in on one track.

 

[Rayk]

I've heard it said, that you've got to sort of turn the amp up, in order to get a good recorded sound (in an electric guitar setting). Though, I don't know if this applies to certain amps, more than others (vintage Fender / vs. Modern Marshall); like, I've often heard at least to that point of tube-break up: whatever that "sweet spot,' is!

Nice work on that one, @dreadnut ! Is that travis-picking you're doing there? Really nice sound and job, and great guitar, by the way...

Most thats for tube amps but up enough to drive the speakers abit .

You could get a vst or any pedel that you like and go direct in . I used a V-amp for a while . I got pretty good sounds out of it and I didnt even dive in deep with it like matching different cabinets ETC .

Some DAWs come loaded with amp models as well or again load a good VST and your set .

 

[midnightright]

Most thats for tube amps but up enough to drive the speakers abit .

You could get a vst or any pedel that you like and go direct in . I used a V-amp for a while . I got pretty good sounds out of it and I didnt even dive in deep with it like matching different cabinets ETC .

Some DAWs come loaded with amp models as well or again load a good VST and your set .

Thanks! So dumb, I'd forgotten all about how one wouldn't exactly plug the electric guitar cable into the audio interface. . .

 

[midnightright]

Heads up. If you’re looking for an inexpensive condenser mic to dabble with, today’s Stupid Deal of the Day over at Musicians friend looks good.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid?source=3TP0HVBA&dtm_em=ae55d2486edbf13efee0a0ffb40ff724

Thanks! The used one I picked up last year from a reputable shop was listed in very good condition was similar, or the same brand I believe. MXL 770 (black). I couldn't get it to work at all, but maybe once I get the other components right - like the DAW, I'll be able to find out for sure.

 

[Rayk]

Thanks! So dumb, I'd forgotten all about how one wouldn't exactly plug the electric guitar cable into the audio interface. . .

Wait a sec you can plug your guitar directly into your interface .
You can't run a line out from your amp into the interface you'd blow it up. Some amps and or amp cabinets have a line out that is used to plug into a interface or mixing board etc. The audio interface should have a Hi -Z input for guitar . I think they do now .

I try to find an old tune I did that has electric guitar in it that I did with my Berhringer V-amp which is a amp and cabinet simulator . Just so get an idea of what you can do .

ok here is one its old when i started out recording it has bad timing bad recording bad everything . LMAO The intent was good though a store of through the years of the old couple in the pic . LOL

anyway we listen back some of our old stuff years ago and are first response is YIKES ! lol

 

[Nuuska]

Line level from amp into interface is perfectly ok. Distortion maybe - but no kaputt.
Speaker output has enough voltage to blow input amp of interface.

 

[midnightright]

Just thought I'd update that I have put in an order for a Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) w/pro tools. I know the next one up would've been better, but for what I am planning to learn on, I think the one mic set up for both singing and playing acoustically will suit my needs. And all I'm looking to do for starters now, is learn. And then get a better handle on what I might like to possibly graduate to in the future, through experience. Appreciate everyone's valuable knowledge along the way, and I will be reviewing this thread until it gets here (was out of stock and awaiting shipment soon...)! Thanks all.