BeardyAndy
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Tanglewood TW73 E
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Post by BeardyAndy on Jun 23, 2016 14:03:01 GMT
I'd like to put my guitar through my PC to be able to sample, record etc and I'd be interested to know what software/hardware would you guys suggest?
I have a good laptop for gaming so should be able to cope with most things and I also have an iPad (as apple seem to have an app for everything!) so that may be an option. Only 1 of my acoustics has a jack so external mic will be needed too.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jun 23, 2016 14:42:19 GMT
You'll probably be disappointed with recording pickup sound alone, though if you plan to manipulate the sound a lot post-recording then it might be OK.
Simplest solution -
The free Audacity software seems to work well enough, and would certainly do to get you started.
I have used a Zoom H2 as a USB microphone for quite a few years now. Couldn't be simpler, is cheap, and gives results plenty good enough for internet purposes. It also has the benefit of being to be used anywhere to record onto the internal SD card.
There are several similar small digital recorders available, any of which would give you good results.
I'm sure there'll be plenty of folk chiming in with more complicated and costly options, but it does really depend on what you wish to achieve, and how much trouble and cash you are prepared to spend.
Keith
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Post by lavaman on Jun 23, 2016 15:09:30 GMT
So many choices here. I suggest you have a look at this web site before investing any cash: therecordingrevolution.com/ Graham provides lots of video advice and several tutorials on how to record with the minimum of kit/ Sound On Sound website is helpful too. Your best investment will be to buy a very good book called "Recording Secrets for the Small Studio" by Mike Senior. With regard to equipment you'll need: -- a PC -- DAW software (Digital Audio Workstation) -- a USB audio interface, -- a pair of studio monitors (or to start with a stereo amp and speakers) -- and at least one microphone, cable and stand. Most modern PCs are ok for recording. Disable wifi during recording to avoid pops and clicks. DAW software is a very personal choice. They all use the same mathematics in their software so all sound the same. Once you've chosen your software, you'll invest so much time learning how to use it that you'll be reluctant to try another one. I use REAPER - its cheap 60 euros, flexible, has a very helpful user forum forum.cockos.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20 and www.reaper.fm/videos.php. In addition Kenny Gioia has made loads of helpful videos. Reaper can be difficult to learn. Audio interface - I suggest a two input unit to start with. Focusrite make high quality affordable units such focusrite scarlett 2i4. Microphones: I suggest you start with a large diameter condenser (LDC) microphone as this can be used to record guitar and vocals. Something like a Rode NT1 or a sE Electronics X1. Later you can add a small diameter condenser (SDC) microphone (like a Rode NT5) to record the acoustic guitar in stereo. By the way, don't bother recording from the guitar pickup - the quality is nowhere as good as a microphone. Here's a typical starter bundle from Thomann that looks ok - www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_scarlett_2i4_recording_bundle.htm?ref=search_prv_1_2Take your time deciding, scour the web and recording forums Iain
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Post by lavaman on Jun 23, 2016 15:12:21 GMT
but it does really depend on what you wish to achieve, and how much trouble and cash you are prepared to spend. Keith Excellent summing up from Keith.
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BeardyAndy
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Tanglewood TW73 E
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Post by BeardyAndy on Jun 23, 2016 15:24:55 GMT
but it does really depend on what you wish to achieve, and how much trouble and cash you are prepared to spend. Keith Excellent summing up from Keith. Thanks guys
It seemed a lot simpler the first time I recorded myself playing, all you had to do was make sure you pressed the play and record buttons down at the same time!
I think I'm probably with Keith at the USB mic stage at the moment but i'll be sure to have a look at those links Iain, as that all sound like a lot of complicated fun (gadget geek alert!)
Andy
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Post by vikingblues on Jun 23, 2016 15:40:57 GMT
The other thing you'll likely need with recording on a PC is patience and a will to learn to (a) get it to work at all in the first place and (b) to get to grips with the logic and quirks of any particular DAW. Look at reviews of any particular DAW on Amazon and you'll find a mix of 1 star reviews for those who couldn't get it to work, or found it baffling, and 5 star reviews from people where it all fell together fine.
Keith and Ian between them have very clearly covered the two alternative approaches.
I'd agree with Iain regarding microphones, and if you get into using them, would certainly recommend stage 2. The small condenser microphone really captures acoustic guitar sound better (but is not so good for vocals). I would also recommend a small condenser with changeable capsules with different patterns including cardioid and omni.
It is also true that once you settle on a particular DAW it's very difficult to change to another - the time and effort to be spent re-learning everything is very off-putting.
I would agree with what has been said so far about pick-up sound being less than satisfactory, at least on the typical lower budget stock pick-ups on acoustic guitars. A mix of pick-up and microphone can work very nicely though.
Mark
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Post by michaelwatts on Jun 24, 2016 13:38:52 GMT
Ipad and the apogee mic has made for some great recordings...
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BeardyAndy
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Tanglewood TW73 E
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Post by BeardyAndy on Jun 24, 2016 14:46:10 GMT
Ipad and the apogee mic has made for some great recordings... I was looking at these last night, nice to hear a good review.
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Post by Cams on Jun 28, 2016 12:16:42 GMT
I just got an Apollo Twin Duo, but I suspect that's a bit beyond what you're looking at for now. For simplicity's sake, the Zoom would be a safe bet. If you're going deeper, I'd recommend research and not skimping on cheap gear. The preamps and converters I bought back in 2004 are still going strong! I just posted a recording and short review of the Apollo Twin in the recording section of this here site: acousticsoundboard.co.uk/thread/6427/apollo-twinlavaman - nice to see the Recording Revolution site's getting a mention. I've gone pretty deep into that site and just signed up for Dueling Mixes to get my skillz up to speed for mixing my first album for the bluegrass band. Check out the Simply Recording podcast if you haven't already - it's gold. Graham has a neat video on recording acoustic guitar - he prefers a single RØDE NT5.
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walkingdecay
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Post by walkingdecay on Jun 28, 2016 14:09:53 GMT
I like my G Track USB mic, which happens to come with a functional version of the very good Sonar DAW for free. You can plug your guitar right in, if you want, though I prefer to rely on the air, and it does delay-free monitoring over headphones. Amazon linkI had an inadvertent demonstration of how good the G Track was recently when recording two songs for a project in the Duck. The G Track had been left at a friend's house, so I recorded the first on a Tascam DP 004. The result was OK, but a bit reedy and noisy. The second, recorded on G Track, has great clarity and presence - only the performance was crap! By the by, if you register Sonar it entitles you to upgrades to the full product, which occasionally goes on sale at a low price.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
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My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Jun 28, 2016 14:57:00 GMT
I've been really happy with my old Zoom H4. Mine is the older, all silver version (not the H4n) and the mics are outstanding. I use it solely as a USB mic and plug it into Audacity. Usually I record vocals and guitar on separate tracks, but when pushed for time I have recorded them "live". It's hard to get the balance perfect that way, but it was good enough to get played on BBC Introducing around the UK.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Jun 29, 2016 3:24:19 GMT
Rode NT USB is way better than any other USB mic I've owned or tried.
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BeardyAndy
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Tanglewood TW73 E
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Post by BeardyAndy on Jul 16, 2016 14:01:04 GMT
Has anyone got any experience of the iRig acoustic gizmo, Seems pretty cheap for a non singer but is it too cheap?
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 17, 2016 13:01:52 GMT
I'd go for the Zoom H4 over the iRig!
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 17, 2016 13:08:08 GMT
To expand on the Zoom a bit. I've got two of their machines.
The Zoom 2 uses built in mics and that's it. But these are pretty good mics. Record to card and then import files into a computer DAW and you are away. I suspect this would be better than an iRig.
The Zoom H6 I bought in an emergency when another piece of kit died on me (and the store had no Z4s in stock). This is a bit pricey but astonishing in terms of quality. The Z4 does everything the 6 does but with fewer XLR Combo inputs - you probably don't need the Z6 4 inputs - I've never used them.
As Lynn said this is not the best option for vocals but it does the job from time to time.
I'd be inclined to look at the Z4 and then buy a Rode USB for vocals.
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