PC HOME RECORDING
Getting started in pc home recordings.
One of the most frequent questions is, how do I get started in home recording? The answer varies, but in general, it is easy and pretty inexpensive. Some questions you should ask yourself... 1. What do you want to record? 2. What does your computer already have? 3. What audio capabilities and hardware do you need? 4. What are your software needs? 5. How do you set it up? We'll wade through the various computer recording interfaces and tools out there and help you discover which setup fits your needs best. But this is a drug. Stay away. It is cheap to start, but then you need better microphones, and then you need better mic preamps, and then better monitors, and then more microphones and then more preamps and then ..... You have been warned. To answer your basic question, you need a microphone and a sound card, some software (I use ACID PRO). and something to record. Most PC stores sell junky microphones that plug into your soundblaster. Nearly every PC has a soundblaster clone. Plug it in, use Windows Recorder and you are started.
You will probably soon decide that cheap junky mics sound terrible. The "standard" professional microphone for starting is a Shure SM57 or SM58. They cost about $80. Buy one. Everyone should have one or two.
To hook it up to your computer, you'll want a stand and a microphone cable. But you'll see that the connectors don't fit. This is intentional. Radio Shack should have everything you need here.
You will also need something to both change the connector and change the impedance of the line. Once you are serious, you can buy a microphone preamp. They cost between $85 and $4000. I use the Line 6 POD. Before that, you can buy a $15 impedance matching transformer at Radio Shack. But that will still have the wrong plug. So also buy a $5 cable convertor at Radio Shack.
Unless you know you want it, I'd start with something a little less expensive and less capable than Sonar. Cakewalk sells packages like Home Studio that are cheaper and easier. But Sonar isn't all that expensive, you can get it for about $300 if you shop around.
The impedance transformer will drive microphone input. To get line level input, you need a preamp. In a pinch, might have a tape recorder (cassette or open reel) that has a preamps you can use.
You don't have to record onto the tape, just use the preapms in the deck. Depending on the quality of the tape recorder, you may have to use your impedance transformers. Later on, swap out the impedance transformers for preamps. Start looking at things like the Art Tube MP, or the M-Audio Audio Buddy. They are about $100.
You will need something to hear the sounds. Cheap computer speakers can get you started. But they sound terrible. Headphones are better, but do not sound the way real speakers do.
Real monitors start at $500 and go up quickly. But by then, you'll be adicted to this drug. You have been warned. Just remember... you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to have a descent pc based home recording studio. Riffmaster More On Home Recording / The Guitar Port
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