Recording Newbie! expert advice needed

[Jotosuds]

hi guys! what's a good recording program for a beginner? something preferably free? i just want to record vocals and guitar for now. is the audiobuddy a good starter mic-pre? how do you connect it's 1/4" output to your computer's soundcard? do you need a 1/4" to RCA converter?what's a good computer software drum machine? i heard you can just download sounds and put them into acid. is that a good idea? where could you download drum sounds like that? would the m-audio audiophile soundcard be good for a beginner? or could i do with maybe an audigy? do you have any suggestions for computer parts? i would like to spend around 500 for the computer. i know that's REALLY cheap, but i'm strapped for cash. :( sorry for all the questions. thanks! :wave: :love: :thu: thx

[miroslav]

[quote]Originally posted by Jotosuds: ...sorry for all the questions.[/quote]Yeah...maybe one or two at a time would be better for you. What happened...got a sudden urge to get into computer based audio recording...and that's why all the questions...??? :p [b]what's a good recording program for a beginner? something preferably free? i just want to record vocals and guitar for now.[/b] Try this site for free/demo software. [url=http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/]Audio/Music Software[/url] [b]is the audiobuddy a good starter mic-pre?[/b] Most anything is good for starters... [b]how do you connect it's 1/4" output to your computer's soundcard? do you need a 1/4" to RCA converter?[/b] Yeah...something like that...go to Radio Shack...it's called an adapter not a converter. :D [b]what's a good computer software drum machine? i heard you can just download sounds and put them into acid. is that a good idea? where could you download drum sounds like that?[/b] It's not the "drum machine" that counts...it's your ability to program good beats. There are many freebies out there...just do some Internet searching... ...can't have it all easy. ;) [b]would the m-audio audiophile soundcard be good for a beginner? or could i do with maybe an audigy?[/b] Yes... Either or will do for starters... [b]do you have any suggestions for computer parts?[/b] Oh...so besides learning how to record...you also want to learn how to build computers...??? Don't take such big bites... :eek: [b]i would like to spend around 500 for the computer. i know that's REALLY cheap, but i'm strapped for cash.[/b] You can probably get a nice used computer for 500 that will serve your "starter" needs well...check eBay and other on-line auction/sales sites... :cool:

[Franknputer]

I understand that the Audiobuddy is considered a good choice. I don't have one, but I have heard several people express favorable opinions on it. For connecting to the sound card, you may actually need a 1/4" to 1/8" (also referred to as a mini-plug) adapter, if you're using a standard PC audio card. Look at the back - if it's a small hole like on a Walkman, then it's a mini-plug. If it's more like the ones on the back of your stereo equipment (or VCR, too) then it's RCA. To find sounds, do a search for something like "free WAV audio" to find audio files in a WAV format. There are other formats too, but if you're in PC land then start with WAVs. Also, if you get ACID you might try looking for whatever file format that is (I don't use it myself, so I'm not sure what it is, sorry). The M-Audio card is a good card, but since you're new to this I'd suggest the Audigy - I believe it's a bit cheaper, but it should do the job fine. Actually, any reasonable audio card should be functional, and you can always upgrade later if you start to do a lot if recording. For audio, you want to have a 2nd hard drive on the PC, large capacity (hard to get small ones anymore, anyhow ;) ) and at least 7200 RPM. Recording audio on a computer is a fairly intensive operation, and having a separate, fast drive will keep you from having skips in the sounds you record. Lots of RAM, too. :thu: Hang out on the boards here, and search around in the archives too - a lot of your questions have been asked and answered. Have fun!

[Jotosuds]

thanks a bunch guys! :D so two hard drives is pretty much essential, ehh? i tink the audigy would be better for me, since it's cheaper. what's a decent program to download from hitsquad??? thanks