[carol m]

I want to fix my computer so I can record. I've been reading threads for a couple of hours and would like some guidelines before I take the plunge.

I have already tried using the soundcard that came with the computer with a headset + mic in a USB port, and a relatively cheap mic into the 'mic in' port, but both methods result in 'gale force wind' effects so you can hardly hear the guitar, and nomatter how I try I cannot get the recorder to record for more than 60secs (I'm not taking it personally).

I don't have a pre-mixer or pre-amp but would buy one if I needed it.

I downloaded Audacity version1:2:4 about a year ago and haven't used it yet. When I go to Audacity site there is a version 1:2:6 available.

I can see it's going to take a good deal of effort to learn about a software program, so I should decide before I start if I should go with Audacity or Kristal. I see there's a sticky for Audacity (Hi Kenny), and a lesson on Kristal (Hi Tekker) and now would be the time to make a good choice rather than later. It needs to be as simple as possible as I know zero about levels, clipping, mixing etc. Also I found a Yamaha keyboard in the attic that was used about twice by the kids a few years ago so it would be good if I could tie that in later too.

I have my CD player and speakers linked to my computer already (for listening). I also have an audio tape deck (remember them?) hooked up to the CD player and computer so they are all linked.

My questions are,
1.should I go with Audacity or Kristal?
2.which is 'easier' for a beginner?
3.and if I go with Audacity should I ditch the older version and download the latest version before I start?

Any info and opinion would be appreciated

[Tekker]

I suggest starting with Reaper.

While it does have a lot more stuff in it, doing basic recording is pretty much the same regardless of the program as all of the same steps need to be done in any recording program. It's just a matter of learning how that particular program does things.

If you plan on adding effects, you'll want Reaper. Audacity is very difficult for adding effects as you can't change them later (they are destructive). Kristal is better than Audacity as it uses real-time effects which can be changed at any time, but it only allows two effects per track, which is very limiting. Reaper allows an unlimited amount of real-time effects (as many as your computer can handle) and you can easily change the order, which Kristal can't do without removing the effects completely and adding them again in the new location.

We can help you get setup in Reaper, it's actually very user friendly. Reaper's built in effects are more difficult to use, but there are many free VST effects that you can use in their place that are very user friendly.

Kristal looks more suitable for plugging the guitar into a separate soundcard/device or via 'line in' and not an acoustic with mic, is probably more for effects & multitracking, and Tekker's lesson on Kristal starts right off talking about things I haven't got a clue about (my ignorance, not Tekkers lesson).

Kristal is just as suitable for plugging in an acoustic with a mic as any other program. My lesson is just on one of the things you can do with it, but it works just as well for acoustic. All the software does is record what you give it. From a basic "record and play" standpoint, they are all the same.

Reaper might be better but I'll start out learning the basics on Audacity and move on later if necessary once I know more about what I want/need.

IMO, you could probably learn the basics better on Reaper. As you won't be running into program limitations while trying to learn, you'll just be able to do it.

-tkr

[carol m]

Hi Tekker, what do you mean by 'effects'?
If you plan on adding effects, you'll want Reaper. Audacity is very difficult for adding effects as you can't change them later (they are destructive)

I will probably only want to clean up the sound, add a bit of echo (maybe) and make it sound as good as possible (no pedals, wah wahs or distortion etc). I would like to be able just record acoustic instrumental (one track), to add tracks on top of a basic strum/picking pattern, or add vocals separate to the guitar part and get them accurately synched. Maybe experiment with loops etc. Eventually I would like to use the Yamaha for 'Kenny type' additions but not for a while yet. I would also like to add guitar/voice over downloaded backing tracks too. Do you still think Reaper is a better choice than Audacity or Kristal for that?

Clearly its a good idea to start off on the 'right' one for me so I won't have to learn about different software programs later on, as it seems that the basics are pretty much the same on all.

By the way, thanks for your 'techy' lessons. They certainly give info to get a beginner started with some sort of a clue.

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by carol m

Hi Tekker, what do you mean by 'effects'?

Effects can be any type of processing such as EQ, reverb, delay, chorus, distortion, pitch shift, wah, guitar amp simulator, acoustic guitar simulator (for electrics), etc... These all fall under the same category called "effects".

Do you still think Reaper is a better choice than Audacity or Kristal for that?

I think that Reaper is a better choice than Audacity or Kristal for pretty much anything that is related to music recording. It is very simple, yet extremely powerful.

Clearly its a good idea to start off on the 'right' one for me so I won't have to learn about different software programs later on, as it seems that the basics are pretty much the same on all.

Absolutely. While it would probably be a little easier to switch over to a new program after learning another one, there will still be that awkward adjustment period while you learn the quirks of a different program. The functions may be similar, but they can be called different things and be in completely different areas (or under different menus) in the program. So even if you know what you have to do, you will still have to learn "how" to do it all over again.

The best method is to start out and stick with one for as long as you can, that way you get to know all the ins and outs of the program.

I started out on Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 (the manual that came with this thing was as thick as a novel! LOL) and I used that for about a year, then I found Samplitude and have been using that ever since (about 6 1/2 years). The more time you spend with one program the better and faster you'll get with it.

By the way, thanks for your 'techy' lessons. They certainly give info to get a beginner started with some sort of a clue.

You're welcome. Glad you found them useful.

Also, if you'd like, I could do a more basic "how to" guide for Reaper.... With as minimal "tech talk" as I can get away with.

-tkr

[dejankuki]

Let's put it this way...


Imagine some of programs (Kristal, Reaper, Cubase, Sonar,... whatever) as Simple virtual mixng console. You recorded some guitars on tape (a.k.a. tracks), then play tape and turn on and off effects (pluginns) you want.
Then you can record 2nd, and 3rd or 24th track and set on them some efects (so called plugins) and now you can mix all this 24 tracks together takeing care that they all have similar volumes and levels to all tracks be heard in one big song. Whole and completly song. In this way you have your own "studio" at your home with your computer.
In Audacity (Sound forge, or any other wav editor) you can record this same track and aply effects, but this effects will be "imprinted" in this wave and they cannot be removed.

I hope that you uderstand me what I try to tell you (since English is not my mother language)

Oh, yes... it is not matter what source you use as input to computer. It only count how you recorded this tracks.
Microphone is a little problem, but it can be solved.

[carol m]

I've tried out Audacity (because I have it) and I'm having problems with volume. I've worked out that I have to increase the 'gain' in the window on the left, but this window doesn't appear until after I start Record so I can't increase it for Record. If I turn up 'gain' after I've recorded, the interference is magnified too. I'm also having trouble erasing the track to record over it. If I click undo it doesn't get rid of it, and if I click double arrow left it doesn't go back to the start. If I click the X in the small box on the left it gets rid of that track but I lose that box with 'gain' in it as well. Also, sometimes if I click in the window it goes blue which I can't get rid of except by exiting the program and starting again.

The waveform readout barely registers vertically, and the meter toolbars (top right) register about halfway along. I have the input and output sliders (left hand side under the Play/Stop buttons) on max. Any ideas?

[carol m]

Thanks for the help Dejankuki (wow, that name is quite a tongue-twister). I aim to be a one-person orchestra within the decade, so any help is appreciated. Your English is fine, and I'm glad you found GFB&B - hope you enjoy your time here.

[namiguShin]

Originally Posted by carol m

I've tried out Audacity (because I have it) and I'm having problems with volume.

You have to tell us what you were recording (microphone, guitar directly plugged into soundcard, guitar => amp => soundcard...)... What was the combination?

Originally Posted by carol m

Thanks for the help Dejankuki (wow, that name is quite a tongue-twister). I aim to be a one-person orchestra within the decade, so any help is appreciated. Your English is fine, and I'm glad you found GFB&B - hope you enjoy your time here.

Dejan is my man... And his nick doesn't twist like that in Serbian... And btw that's my dream, too... Good luck, Carol...

[dejankuki]

Originally Posted by carol m

Thanks for the help Dejankuki (wow, that name is quite a tongue-twister). I aim to be a one-person orchestra within the decade, so any help is appreciated. Your English is fine, and I'm glad you found GFB&B - hope you enjoy your time here.

Glad to help you...and to be in this forum.
As for the name try "Deyan (it's my name) coockie" (it's my nickname) maybe it will help not twisted your tongue.


As for Audacity and similar programs concern those are WAV EDITORS. In theese you can record only one track per project, then save if you like. (Further procedure is to import this takes in multitrack programms and do the mixing. ) When you finish recording you take, you can save it or just simple close this verry window. Program don't save recordings that way.
You can increase volume in properties of your sound card, options for recording. When wavform is big and fat this is good take. But be carefull that peaks be about -0.5 Db. I can't provede pics in this momment, as soon I can I will show you.

You have topic " Members' Recordings - Let's hear you!". In this topic you can have songs that members recorded and posted. I don't mean to teach you how to use forum (since you are member quite longer than me), it's more like "here is what all you can do with programs like I mentioned (Cubase, Reaper, Kristal, Audition, Pro Tools, Ableton, Sonar, Guitar pro etc...etc...etc). Don't be cofused if you hear someone else call this programs diferent names. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), Sequencers, Multitrack editor, Music software.... all this have same meaning. Software that you can record music with your computer.









P.S. My own songs

My homble works in the verry same way you will do.

[carol m]

Those tracks sounded really good, dejan. I liked 'The Sun' best too.

namiGushin, I'm using a uni-directional mic into the computer and playback through speakers (or headphone in CD player).

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by carol m

I've tried out Audacity (because I have it) and I'm having problems with volume.

Have you adjusted the volume in your soundcard's mixer window?

If not, try going through this tutorial and see if it helps.
Soundcard Mixer

-tkr

[carol m]

Hi Tekker, I already read that lesson so I have record level max for everything with 'microphone' selected, and for playback everything is also on max. I also have mic boost ticked in the Advanced settings.

[carol m]

He He He!!!! I've cracked it. I had the mic too far away and not directed acurately enought to the sound hole. All I have to do know is to work out how to clean it up, and I know I saw how to do that somewhere in 'Help'.......and the Wallabies have just scored a try!!!

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by carol m

Hi Tekker, I already read that lesson so I have record level max for everything with 'microphone' selected, and for playback everything is also on max. I also have mic boost ticked in the Advanced settings.

Is there a way you could test the line input?

Do you have the proper cables and adapters to plug a guitar, CD player, or something into your line input to test it?

If this works, then I'd suspect the mic itself. Do you have another mic you could try?

-tkr

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by carol m

He He He!!!! I've cracked it. I had the mic too far away and not directed acurately enought to the sound hole.

Excellent!

-tkr

[carol m]

Couldn't (and wouldn't) have done it without my friends here at GFB&B - thanks everyone.