Computer Recording

bobhoulston · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject: Computer Recording

Dear GuitarSite.com, I submit this article for you to consider using in your newsletter and/or web site. I hope that it is useful. Best wishes. Yours sincerely, Bob Houlston.

Computer Recording
This is a basic method and explanation. Ensure all audio settings are set low to avoid overload of delicate equipment and speakers. Using a Windows 98 enabled Personal Computer or PC I recorded my guitar as a WAV file and then converted it into a MP3 file for upload to the internet using free www.musicmatch.com software. Most guitars whether electric or electro-acoustic use a standard ¼ inch or 6·8 mm jack plug which requires connection to shielded audio cable. At the other end you will probably require a 3·5 mm stereo plug wired for a mono connection which will be inserted into the line or microphone socket on the rear panel of the PC unit. With the speakers on you should be able to hear your guitar amplified through the PC. If not, ensure that relevant audio pathways are not muted by clicking once on the speaker symbol on the task bar to reveal volume setting and click twice to reveal line in channel settings. Go: START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > ENTERTAINMENT > SOUND RECORDER to record the WAV file and then use the free MusicMatch download to convert to MP3 and reduce file size as required. I use the 16 kbps setting when converting to minimise file size and ensure a fast loading for the listener although this does reduce sound quality. It may be possible to buy the lead ready made or use an adaptor with a regular guitar lead. A Cathode Ray Tube or CRT monitor may cause audio interference via the pickup of an electric guitar. Experiment with playing position to reduce hum. You may hear my work via http://clix.to/tips

Tim · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

I have to say the best thing I did regarding home recording is to get an after market sound-card, I think mine retails around £130 (I didn't pay that obviously!), but shopping around there's some good deals. The best thing about mine is the front panel, it just makes life so much easier as you've got all your inputs/outputs etc and a gain control on the front of your PC and it takes a full size jack.

Using this card also provides peace of mind as I'm generally recording a bass. I'm pretty sure that recording my bass on my old motherboard was what fried the onboard sound.

The other thing I find really helps is software, I use 'Acid Pro 4', which means you can run a click track or even program some drums to record over to stay in time. Using 'Sound Recorder' worked pretty well but I found I needed to either use a metronome or a third-party program for a beat, there's enough of these floating round on cover disks or for download, I found 'Fruity Loops' very simple to use for drum patterns.

Its definately been a worthwhile investment though as I can record the guy I write with when he visits then rehearse/write to this between practices or if I randomly think of a bassline or lyrics etc I can put them down there and then without any set up. Good for gaming and DVDs too!

Tim.

lee_UK · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:18 am Post subject:

I have a line 6 guitar port on one of my PC's which connects the guitar over USB, and has a very nice software package that emulates amp and effect settings, you can also go online and download lessons, for a monthly fee, and you can most definatly record with it.
On my other PC i have a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS platinum, a great peice of kit, comprises of a sound card for inside the PC and an external box which has all the 1/4" jack, firewire, optical fibre, and phono/USB connections, makes life very easy when connecting instruments up.
Both those solutions are arounf £100-£150 each, a very good investment.

Tim · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:15 pm Post subject:

Tim wrote:

...or if I randomly think of a bassline or lyrics etc I can put them down there and then without any set up. Good for gaming and DVDs too!

Tim.

But I do tend to make the mistake I just made...Ooh that'd sound good, plug in, pluckety-pluck-pluck, cool...

Notice the lack of 'tune bass'. I now have to rerecord it if I want to do anything with it! I am a fool.

bobhoulston · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:08 am Post subject: Re: Computer Recording

bobhoulston wrote:

Dear GuitarSite.com, I submit this article for you to consider using in your newsletter and/or web site. I hope that it is useful. Best wishes. Yours sincerely, Bob Houlston.

Computer Recording
This is a basic method and explanation. Ensure all audio settings are set low to avoid overload of delicate equipment and speakers. Using a Windows 98 enabled Personal Computer or PC I recorded my guitar as a WAV file and then converted it into a MP3 file for upload to the internet using free www.musicmatch.com software. Most guitars whether electric or electro-acoustic use a standard ¼ inch or 6·8 mm jack plug which requires connection to shielded audio cable. At the other end you will probably require a 3·5 mm stereo plug wired for a mono connection which will be inserted into the line or microphone socket on the rear panel of the PC unit. With the speakers on you should be able to hear your guitar amplified through the PC. If not, ensure that relevant audio pathways are not muted by clicking once on the speaker symbol on the task bar to reveal volume setting and click twice to reveal line in channel settings. Go: START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > ENTERTAINMENT > SOUND RECORDER to record the WAV file and then use the free MusicMatch download to convert to MP3 and reduce file size as required. I use the 16 kbps setting when converting to minimise file size and ensure a fast loading for the listener although this does reduce sound quality. It may be possible to buy the lead ready made or use an adaptor with a regular guitar lead. A Cathode Ray Tube or CRT monitor may cause audio interference via the pickup of an electric guitar. Experiment with playing position to reduce hum. You may hear my work via http://clix.to/tips

Subsequent to my words of 17 December 2005 I have found the Behringer PB100 Pre Amp Booster most useful for computer recording of piezo equipped electro-acoustic guitar that does not have an onboard pre amp, electric guitar and bass, matching low impedance microphone to high impedance input and for general enhancement of tone quality which you can hear at my Mental Health Survival Guide web site regarding demo MP3 of the group I presently play in "Lithium" URL: http://www.houlston.freeserve.co.uk/mental.htm
The Behringer PB100 also works as a heaphone amplifier. It does however make an audio "squelch" when input jack is connected so ensure computer or amplifier gain is set low to prevent damage to circuitry and/or speakers. Enjoy your music.
Best wishes,
Bob Houlston #==(o )

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