Home Recording, I'm Hopeless

[lobacklauriki]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. From what I have read, some of you guys are really good and willing to give advice on the new starters.

Here's my question:

I am new to recording music on PC, and know nothing about it. A friend of mind gave me Acid Pro 6.0 software and I have no idea where to start. I looked at Cakewalk Sonar as well and that's even more brain-damaging confusng piece of Software.

All I want to do is record my guitar and vocal on to the PC via Microphone. I need drum loops or samples since I don't have any drum kit at home. As for the bass, correct me if I'm wrong but you can use a software to create bass sound clips/ loops?

And here's my computer specs:

Pentium Core2Duo 2.4Ghz

4 GB DDR2 667 RAM

1 TB HDD Sata

HD Audio (onboard with my Gbyte Mboard) - there's I/O and mic input. I don't think it can do MIDI though.

Geforce 8800GTS (i don't think it matters)

Since I don't have electric guitar, I want to record my accoustic using a microphone. My sister is buying me a mic specialised for Accoustic Guitar which can be clipped on to the side of the hole and plug in to the amp. Oh yeah, I have no amp as well (Hopeless, I know). But I just need to know what do I need? My budget is very low and wishing that I don't have to purchase anything.

Any input or advice will be greatly appreciated. And my apologies in advance if I don't understand some of the terminology used in your answers.

[john]

Hey

Ok, there are a number of ways to do it. Simplest is:

http://recording.songstuff.com/articles.php?selected=138

If you have a terminology problem, try our glossary (link at the top of every page)

Have a quick read at the article and then we can continue from there.

Cheers

john

[lobacklauriki]

Cheers John! I got the PC stuff covered, just the software part. I will try downloading audacity tonight. Just wondering if audacity has any drums loops built in to use? Maybe I'll find out tonight.

[lobacklauriki]

Tried audacity, but doesn't look like it has the virtual instruments?

Is Cubase SX any good? And easy to use as well? I looked in youtube how cool what you can do with that.

Another question, do we have to have a MIDI keyboard in order to take advantage of the virtual instruments in programs such as Cubase? Can't we use just our mouse or maybe computer keyboard? (Silly question I know, but just curious)

[Steve]

Do you have a magazine over there called Computer Music? If so, go get a copy. They have all the software you need on the cover CD/DVD. Free! They also have some great tutorials available here! You can input drums with a mouse but it's easier with a keyboard!

[Lazz]

Sounds like exactly the need that Mudchild was looking to fill.

[lobacklauriki]

Thanks Steve. I should hit the local newsagency on lunch time to find that magazine.

I do have a midi keyboard, but the darnest thing is that I will have to connect the midi to usb since I have no midi port or game port on my PC. The cable from midi to USB is about $100 (for a cable, this is absurd!).

[Retrosaurus Rex]

I do have a midi keyboard, but the darnest thing is that I will have to connect the midi to usb since I have no midi port or game port on my PC. The cable from midi to USB is about $100 (for a cable, this is absurd!).

That is absurd, for only a little more you could get an really good interface with audio and MIDI inputs....

[JimL]

Dump the PC and get a dedicated 32 track all in one unit... Korg D3200 basic 32 track unit (no paired tracks & no cable/module/software headaches) and just start recording your tunes without having to figure out manuals and software programming...

PC's are not the end all/be all of recording tunes.

[lobacklauriki]

Got the magazine. Will try it tonight! There's a tutorial as well, which is awesome!

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/library/bb680807.aspx

You mean a good soundcard? Been trying to find a good one that can handle MIDI. Some suggestion? Mine's at the moment is just onboard HDAudio.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/library/bb680807.aspx

But this means that I will have to have all the instruments ? Because if I use the drum sounds on my keyboard it sounds awful...=(

[lobacklauriki]

Hah! I didn't even know how to quote.

That is absurd, for only a little more you could get an really good interface with audio and MIDI inputs....

Did you mean a better sound card retrosaurus? You have a good suggestion?

[lobacklauriki]

Dump the PC and get a dedicated 32 track all in one unit... Korg D3200 basic 32 track unit (no paired tracks & no cable/module/software headaches) and just start recording your tunes without having to figure out manuals and software programming...

PC's are not the end all/be all of recording tunes.

But that means I won't have access to the virtual instruments? The drums sound on my keyboard sounds like farts. =(

[Nightwolf]

Dump the PC and get a dedicated 32 track all in one unit... Korg D3200 basic 32 track unit (no paired tracks & no cable/module/software headaches) and just start recording your tunes without having to figure out manuals and software programming...

PC's are not the end all/be all of recording tunes.

At $1299.00 I doubt that's the solution he's looking for

[Steve]

A cheap soundcard with fair midi sounds would be Soundblaster live or an Audigy. Have a look on Ebay. This will have a midi input. Here's a track I made with a soundblaster live. Some Days Might give you some idea of the drum sound!

[john]

Hey

Is it Cubasis, or Cubasis VST you have? I don't think the standard (old) one supports VST (the synths and effects you are looking for)

That said, you can still get stand alone soft synths and still route the audio into cubasis, just not as eaily integrated or as flexible.

Cubasis is similar to both Cubase and Sonar, but a little simpler, a little less flexible, but it would be a good introduction to sequencing.

You could also look at Reason and Re-Birth. Ideally suited to creating moby like tracks.

Cheers

John

[Prometheus]

Dump the PC and get a dedicated 32 track all in one unit... Korg D3200 basic 32 track unit (no paired tracks & no cable/module/software headaches) and just start recording your tunes without having to figure out manuals and software programming...

PC's are not the end all/be all of recording tunes.

I wouldn't do that... I use both a dedicated all in one unit (for location work) and a PC for studio work, and I can testify the PC is infinitely more versatile...

[lobacklauriki]

Ok, got my hand on my mates' Cubase SX 3 and some cheap MIDI to USB Cables to hook up my Optimus MIDI keyboard to my PC. The cables does not work with Vista, it just says "Device cannot started (Code 10)" Great! Anyone ever encounter this kind of problem?

So far Cubase is ok. I think this is what I need, plus there's some tutorials on youtube. I was able to see the VST intruments.

However, I noticed some latency when monitoring. Did a search to find out that many people have this problem and it's originated from the Sound Card. I can't seem to find the solution though. Any expert with Latency issue who can point me to the right direction? Also, am I able to record VST Instruments without MIDI controller? (Since the cable does not work) and how can I do it on Cubase SX3?

JimL, I can't dump the PC since I'm on a tight budget. And with the PC at least I'm halfway there....=)

John, It's Cubase SX 3 and yes, I heard Reason is pretty good, but is it more suitable for Techno?

Thanks a bunch guys!

[Prometheus]

Ok, got my hand on my mates' Cubase SX 3 and some cheap MIDI to USB Cables to hook up my Optimus MIDI keyboard to my PC. The cables does not work with Vista, it just says "Device cannot started (Code 10)" Great! Anyone ever encounter this kind of problem?

So far Cubase is ok. I think this is what I need, plus there's some tutorials on youtube. I was able to see the VST intruments.

However, I noticed some latency when monitoring. Did a search to find out that many people have this problem and it's originated from the Sound Card. I can't seem to find the solution though. Any expert with Latency issue who can point me to the right direction? Also, am I able to record VST Instruments without MIDI controller? (Since the cable does not work) and how can I do it on Cubase SX3?

JimL, I can't dump the PC since I'm on a tight budget. And with the PC at least I'm halfway there....=)

John, It's Cubase SX 3 and yes, I heard Reason is pretty good, but is it more suitable for Techno?

Thanks a bunch guys!

If I recall rightly, the latency in monitoring is caused by a routing problem of sorts. I don't know much about Cubase SX, but on Cubase 5.0, I got around that by checking "global disable" for the monitoring in the system/audio setup menu and pluging the outputs of my sound card into two hard panned channels on the desk...

[lobacklauriki]

Hi all! Fixed the latency problem! I lowered the buffer size in ASIO multimedia setup and now I can barely hear the latency. =D

Cubase is a great software, I would recommend it if you have the money. I got mine from my mate who is a sound engineer. I have started recording a song using cubase, YAY!!

Fleximusic looks cool, but I need the VST plugins.

Thanks everyone for helping me.

[Steve]

Well we look forward to hearing the results!