[DanKurt]

Hi all,
I was guided down to this section of the forum by some helpful fellow forum users.
The question I have is how to connect my guitar (electro acoustic with built in pre amp/pick up) to the creative X-Fi Musicextreme soundcard and what software should I be using to record and play back tracks?
I have only just started playing the guitar so I am fairly un educated as to what I should be using and how best to use it, so a simple to use software package would be a bonus.

[X4StringDrive]

Hi DanKurt, you need to go from your guitar out-put {via cable} with a 1/4" to 1/8" reducer adapter on the opposite end which will plug into your soundcard{line-in}, this will be the basic of basics as to connections for recording, and is in-fact quite enough for a lot of players. As you progress with recording you may want to upgrade into a somewhat more professional set-up with xlr,usb,digital spdif and tons of other options for expanding as well as improving your recording quality. Theres a lot of helpful threads here to get you familiar with more of this.

As far as simple to use recording apps, you have many choices available...from free{Audacity} to cheap but highly recommended{Reaper} to full fledged recording/editing programs{Adobe Audition} and theres plenty more than just these, again a lot of threads here to help you decide whats right for you. You will need to configure a few settings most likely, so when you decide let us know and someone{s} will be glad to help you get on your way.

Remember it's not just a simple matter of connecting and hitting a record button, but with the help and advice thats here you'd never know it....don't be afraid to ask if somethings holding you back or sounds confusing....Enjoy

[DanKurt]

Thanks for that, some excellent information, just what I wanted.
I will try out Audacity and pick up a lead asap.

[X4StringDrive]

Cool glad it helped somewhat...here's a link to a little more info that may help as well concerning Audacity.....
{click on link}
http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...ding-audacity/

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by X4StringDrive

As far as simple to use recording apps, you have many choices available...from free{Audacity} to cheap but highly recommended{Reaper} to full fledged recording/editing programs{Adobe Audition}

Ah, but don't let the cheap price tag on Reaper fool you because Reaper IS a full fledged recording/editing program... Just without the several hundred dollar price tag.


While Audacity may seem easier to use, it is really only easy up to pressing record and play. Beyond that Reaper has more features that actually make it easier to work with. So IMO Reaper is definitely worth taking a little extra time to learn in the beginning.

I have a tutorial that covers the basics that you need to start recording (in any recording program) and then each step is demonstrated in Reaper.
Computer Recording Software - Getting Started

-tkr

[X4StringDrive]

Originally Posted by Tekker

Ah, but don't let the cheap price tag on Reaper fool you because Reaper IS a full fledged recording/editing program... Just without the several hundred dollar price tag. ....-tkr

Yeah, I just downloaded Reaper last night for a look see pertaining to another thread. Must say it was very impressive, considering the price or not. It looks like a great app but, I always wonder about the "new to pc or new to software" users who may be put off from the looks alone of the more advanced recording/editor's than say.. Audacity or Esp. These full fledged programs are wonderful if you have the time/knowledge to figure out all that they offer, but the layout & terminology can be overwhelming IMO. Audacity on the other hand is probably the most basic of all around. Again just my opinion but I think that audacity gives a great intro into the world of digital recording and for those who wish to wring all they can out of recording will naturally drift to the more advanced editors in due time.

PS: I know I would of never moved on from Audacity were it not for your great tutorials. So this post is a "Thank you Tekker" post as well as a in my opinion post.

DanKurt...main thing, however you go, is to enjoy and to remember that like guitar, it's all about learning as you go.

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by X4StringDrive

It looks like a great app but, I always wonder about the "new to pc or new to software" users who may be put off from the looks alone of the more advanced recording/editor's than say.. Audacity or Esp.

That's what tutorials are for.

The tutorial I did covers creating a new project up to recording a track, which is essentially what Audacity is good for. Beyond that Audacity's usefulness decreases drastically as mixing, editing, arranging, etc. are all much more difficult tasks to do in Audactiy.

Every program is different so it's all about learning how that particular application does things. Reaper is actually one of the easiest programs that I've used... WAY easier than the Cakewalk program I started out on, which had a manual the size of four novels combined.

-tkr

[Ian McAllister]

I was using CEPro to record, and had just downloaded Audacity when I joined the forum. Tekker told me about Reaper and I downloaded it. Boy am I glad I did! Within an hour of getting it, I could do everything I could do in CEPro and Audacity, but then the possibilities are, to me as a novice, endless. Effects, live mixing to disc, constant updates and improvements, hosting for VSTis, (virtual instruments can be played in Reaper with a midi keyboard or the on-screen keyboard - I have everything from choirs to pianos to harmonica!) midi editing -easier than I thought, great support and much much more that I still haven't discovered.
My advice is to get Reaper, read Tekker's lessons, download the manual, learn how to insert a new track, arm it to record, select your input and go!
Multi tracking is as easy as inserting a new track, selecting it to record and so on and so on. As easy or as complex as you want, or need it to be. If you're interested, this was recorded with Reaper, using lots of instruments, voices etc, but it was in my bedroom with a guitar, a mic a midi keyboard/soundcard (Line6 KB37) and a desktop computer. I've had Reaper for about six months.
Sometimes You Know