[Garry]

Originally Posted by nocat

Garry... If you don't mind my asking... What type of set-up are you using for recording...?
It doesn't seem like you are very happy with it...!!!

I believe that in another post you asked about direct recording, or plugging directly in
to your sound card... Actually, a very simple process which eliminates the use of a mic
to record any instrument that can be plugged in...!!!

Not knowing what you have, I'll try to describe what you might need in order to do this...
I will use my set-up as an example. Others might use different ways of achieving this, and
there are many ways, but I found that simpler is better... The quicker you can get your
idea recorded, in a way that pleases you, the better you'll feel about the whole process
and the more creative you'll be...!!!

Firstly, a decent sound card is a must... It must support ASIO, and be Full Duplex...
ASIO is a software driver that works with the sound card and to reduce latency (believe
me, it's nearly impossible to record any thing if there is any perceptible lag between when
you play a note and when you hear it). If your sound card does not include ASIO, you
can download a free program called "asio4all", which works well with most sound cards.
Full Duplex basically means the ability of your card to play and record simultaneously...
Most modern cards are Full Duplex, if yours is not, then it's definitely time for a new one...!!!
It may work well for all of your applications, but it simply will not do for a home studio...
If you want a decent card that is relatively inexpensive, and has these features built in...
take a look at Creative's Audigy 2 series... This is the card I use...!!!

(Tired of reading yet..?)

Now comes what may be the most perplexing problem... How to plug your guitar jack
into the Line-In on your card... Guitar jacks are normally 1/2 inch mono, and inputs
are generally 1/4 inch stereo... There are different ways around this.

You can get a USB or FireWire interface. A hardware device that is designed specifically
for home recording. You simply plug it into one of the available ports on your PC and
plug your instrument into the interface, and away you go... No muss, no fuss...!!!
M-Audio makes a decent and inexpensive one.

The alternate route is the one I chose...
I use an old Tascam 6 channel mixer with a stereo line out (most mixers have this feature),
that I plug directly into the Line In of my sound card... The thing I find useful about
this is, that the mixer has faders or gain controls and a built in EQ that allows me to
adjust the signal before it makes it's way to the sound card... So, if I'm using a microphone
to record an acoustic or, *GASP* my voice, I can adjust the levels accordingly...
Your local electronics store will probably have something on the shelf that won't
drain your budget too much...

(almost done... promise...!!!)

Last but not least, a solid recording / mixing program... There are many, ranging from
free to ridiculously expensive...!!! Simple, to just plain stupidly difficult to understand and
work with...!!!
This is where I decided to break the piggy bank and throw caution to the wind...
I purchased Steinberg's Cubase SX3... (hope my wife doesn't read this...)
It set me back nearly $800.00 (ouch.!). But I find that it works well for my
limited mental capacities...!!
Not a huge learning curve... I started recording 15 mins. after installing it...
Of course I'm still learning it's features, and there are a lot of them. Drum machine, bass synth,
100's of effects and ways to manipulate sound... In fact the only limitations I've found
are the ones imposed my my computer. (processor, memory and such)

Again, there are many recording programs out there, and the best way to find the one
that suits you best is to do a little research... Most companies allow you to download
a trial version of their software... A good way to play with the bells and whistles before
you lay down your hard earned cash...!!!

Anyway, I hope I didn't bore you to tears, and that this helps in some way...!!!

Take care Bro...!!!
Ben

Yo Ben, didn't bore me at all bro...don't mind a bit about ya asking about my recording set-up...it' quite extensive man...are ya ready?

Here goes, don't wanna bore ya now
1. 10 buck PC mic ( local Pc City)
2. Audacity ( free down load few weeks ago)
3. Dell Pentium 4 computer.
Now heres where it gets super technical

Acoustic Recording; place PC mic on desk, shimmy up to mic holding guitar, to the point your hand may come in contact while playing. (that's method A).

Method B: Slide chair slightly to right or if the mood strikes me, I may slide the mic to the left,,,yeah more towards the neck but yet still "close" enough so can't move back, forward or any way else while playing. This really gets my creative juices flowing dude. (It's pathetic man...really)

Ok...moving right along to electric recording,( this is a real joy and mood enhancer)

We'll begin with plugging guitar into amp. Get the sound I'm looking for without too much volume, a normal listening level lets say. Start Audacity, hit record, play a sample. sounds nothing like what I'm hearing live, now the 'fun" begins. Moving the mic around, farther...closer...decrease amp volume...increase volume..play with Audacity equalization progarm, increase bass, increase volume...on and on and on...to the point where I don't even waana play the damn song anymore, mood gets lost, emotion gets lost...I just 1/ 2 A$$ muddle through it. Yup, that about sums it up Ben.Sweet set-up or what!!!

So... I'm gonna look into what ya shared with and see what I can do. Until then, I'm cooked as far as trying to record for now...maybe acoustic..but see above.Method A & B.

Thanks for responding Ben,

Garry