The Unwound Third > Phonograph Blues
How to make MP3s of you playing
a2tom:
I hope there isn't another Weenie thread of how to go about making recordings of yourself playing, for posting or other purposes. If there is, point me to it please.
I think it would be useful for people to share their own setup - how they skinned the cat (the similar thread on transporting guitars on planes was great).
Here's my recent experience. It's where I've ended up after some initial unsatisfying efforts with cheaper approaches (cheap mic into standard soundcard, e.g.). Take it with the understanding that I am a strictly amatuer musician in the privacy of his bedroom office with a low end PC. The goal was to be simple and inexpensive but effective. Also, understand that I haven't yet completed the setup! I still have questions maybe folks can help me with.
Microphones:
The word on the street seemed to be that for "studio" recording a condenser mic is best. Maybe someone can explain why - I really don't know much about mics. I decided to go with a Shure KSM-109, mainly on name recognition and info from the company. It's their low-end condensor "instrument" mic. I paid $180. I have no doubt that I could have gotten a less expensive mic, but I figured that with the money in the guitar and time in what I've trained my fingers to do, I didn't want a cheap mic killing the sound.
A question I have on mics - so far I have only really been trying to record guitar. When I go for guitar + voice, should I get 2 mics (one for guitar, one for voice)? Or do people just back the mic off and catch it all in one? Obviously, if you go back to the barebones recording rooms where much CB was recorded, you get one kind of answer. But modern recordings are made sometimes with several mics for a single instrument. Thoughts?
Computer interface:
Like I say, the soundcard experience was not good, so I went ahead and bought a Tascam US-122 inteface. I paid $199. This was not bought without considerable trepidation, as it seemed to get very mixed reviews on the web! But it seemed tailor made to the CB purpose. It has two channels with phantom power - perfect for a condensor mic each for guitar and voice. So far (after a week or so), it seems my worry was not warranted. It works beautifully. Setup wasn't necessarily as transparent as it could have been, but not too bad. Now that it is hooked up, it couldn't be easier to use. Just plug into the USB port and go, pretty much.
Recording/mixing software:
So far I've been using the Cubasis program that came with the Tascam. Too early to say what I think, really, but it seems to be a cumbersome interface. I may search for something more streamlined. But I don't want to be sinking unnecessary $$ into software, since my needs are simple.
MP3 conversion:
I imagine this one is easy, but how does one make MP3s once a WAV file is recorded? Is there a Windows utility, or does one need a separate converter?
So, at this point, throw in a pair of cheap headphones I had lying around, and I am in for $380. Not free, but not enough to send me to divorce court. And the sound is great. I've learned at this point in my journey that it really is a blast to record yourself. And very educational from a playing perspective, I must say.
tom
frankie:
I'm the last person qualified to give advice about mics and recording gear, but conversion from .wav to .mp3 is something that a number of utilities (free and otherwise) can do.? Googling on the terms (wav mp3 conversion) will probably bring up a number of hits.? I use CoolEdit (which is now Adobe Audition) to record audio on the computer end.? It converts to a number of audio formats, .mp3 included, and is generally a good tool for editing.? CDex, a free utility designed primarily for ripping CDs, can also convert audio from .wav to .mp3.? It might be worth investigating as a free conversion tool.
As an aside - when I bought my copy of CoolEdit, it cost $80 to register.? ?Can't imagine what else the Adobe version could do that would be worth charging $299!
Richard:
I'm obviously going in the wrong direction then :o as I've just been playing with a Tascam 144 4 track which I have been virtually given.
No doubt about it, this machine was several pairs of bees knees 20 years ago and as a bonus it's so big it also doubles as a helipad ;)
a2tom:
Richard - why is that the wrong direction?? Some people say that analog will always give better sound than digital.? I considered it, but figured since I was starting from scratch and my ultimate goal was to get into the computer, why not just record straight into the computer.? I had access to a Tascam 4-track years ago for a bit (wasn't recording guitar at the time).? I think I'd say the biggest thing I like better about the digital recording is random access.? It is SO easy to just jump into any part of the recording, set up play loops, etc.
Frankie - yeah, I'm trying to avoid another couple hundred $$ for software.? $299 sure seems excessive.? For that, I'll just stick with the packaged software.? Also, while you may not want to give advice, I'd still be interested to know what you are using re: recording gear, especially on the voice + guitar issue.
tom
frankie:
--- Quote from: a2tom on November 22, 2004, 07:02:00 AM ---I'd still be interested to know what you are using re: recording gear, especially on the voice + guitar issue.
--- End quote ---
I'm using a Sharp m/d recorder and an inexpensive Audio-Technica stereo mic:? this one.? I'm not really interested in getting a *great* recording - just capturing my playing at the moment in the simplest way.
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