By Dan Monk
What's New?
Because the improvements in both audio software and pc hardware plus the fact there were several factual errors in the original article I have taken some time and rewritten the entire article.
Questions:
1.. I have a computer with a soundcard, can I record my songs on it?
2. I have a multi track recorder, how can I use it and my PC together?
3. What should I look for in a multi track audio card?
4. I have a standalone Hard Drive recorder and a boatload of effects (compressor, reverb, etc.) what would be gained by going to the computer and using a program such as Sound Forge over the effects and compression I have available to me at present?
5. Does the computer and/or software program take the place of my mixer and processors?
6. What hardware do I need?
7. Should I get a IDE or SCSI hard drive and or CD burner
8. How can I get demos of the programs you are talking about?
9. Who are you and how do you know this stuff?
1. I have a computer with a soundcard, can I record my songs on it?
Sure. How well depends upon several things. First, how fast is your computer? I recommend a Pentium class machine running at 450 mhz or better. Of course, faster is better. Also, you will need a large hard drive, wave files take a lot of space (10 meg for 1 minute of stereo). To connect your sound card with your sound source (mixer, recorder, etc.) you will need an adapter. Most consumer sound cards have 2 inputs, line in and mic in* and use stereo mini plugs. Normally, you will have RCA plugs from your sound source. Whirlwind, Radio Shack and others sell the adapters you need (1/4" mini plug to dual RCA jacks). Next, you will need a software program to use for recording. If you have Windows 95 you already have one, Sound Recorder, but I don't recommend it. You may also have a program that was included with your sound card. They can be very useful to start with, but most have basic or limited features. Instead I would download a program such as Goldwave or Cool Edit 96. Both are good programs, not just for recording but editing your sound files as well. An excellent retail program is Sound Forge by Sonic Foundry. There are many others, demo as many as you can and pick the one you feel the most comfortable with. Realize of course, that any recording is only as good as the weakest link in the chain. In this case it is probably the sound card. The most dramatic improvement in PC recording will come with a quality sound card (see Recommended Hardware Setups) .
*The mic in is essentially useless. Always use the line in when recording from an outside source.
2. I have a multi track recorder, how can I use it and my PC together?
Depends upon how you want to integrate the two. If you plan to use your PC as a mix down deck, first see the answer to question #1. Then use it as you would any other mix down deck. You can then connect a cassette deck to the line outs on your soundcard to make copies. If you have a CD writer you can make CDs. For more on how to get your audio from your multi track recorder into your pc see my article Recording Music on your PC
If you want to use the PC to mix with you will need some more stuff. First you will need a multi track software package. One that I recommend is Quartz Studio. You may also want to look at Pro Tools which is available on our freebies page. Next, you will need to download your tracks to the computer. Using a stereo sound card transferring your tracks can be a problem, especially if you have a tape multitracker (cassette or reel to reel). If you have a digital deck it is a lot simpler, but you will still have synchronization problems. Trust me on this one ~grin~. The basic idea is to first record tracks 1 & 2, then rewind and do tracks 3 & 4. If you punch play on the tape deck and record on the computer at the same time you can get very close. A better solution is a multi track sound card. There are several good ones, the one I have used is the Wave/4 card by Gadget Labs. Unfortunately they have gone out of business. Another card I considered when I purchased the Wave/4 was the Dman 2044 by Midiman. Which also is not made anymore. It has been replaced by the Audiophile 2496 which looks like a very good card at a very good price. Compare features and price and get one that will fit your needs and pocketbook. And read the answer to the next question.
3. What should I look for in a stereo or multi track audio card?
Resolution/Sampling Rate
The higher the better. A 16 bit resolution is the minimum you should consider, 24 is better. Also, Any card you buy should have at the minimum a 44.1 sampling rate. The newer cards have 96khz. For comparison the sampling rate for a cd is 16 bits at 44.1khz. Usually you will see this listed as resolution/sampling rate, look for the highest numbers.
Signal to Noise
Also reffered to as dynamic range it is a measure of how quiet the card is. Anything over 90db is good.
Full Duplex
If a card does not have full duplex capability you will not be able to listen and record at the same time. That can make overdubs really hard. Some cards will offer 16 bit recording but playback at 8 bit while monitoring. This will work and will be less of a strain on a lower powered pc but the sound quality of the monitored sound won't be very good.
Will it work with my pc and software?
Perhaps the most important. It also depends upon the order you buy things. If you get the card first then you need to make sure you get compatible software. Almost all audio multitrack cards have a list of minimum requirements and the better ones have a list of audio editing programs the card has been tested with. And vice versa, if you get the software first you need to get a compatible sound card.
Number of inputs and outputs for a multi track audio card
Inputs being the more important. For instance if you are recording drums you will need a mimimum of four inputs - kick, snare and two overheads. More inputs can also reduce the amount of cable switching you need to do. Outputs are less important, unless you wish to transfer tracks back to your stand alone multi track recorder. Digital ins and outs can also be handy but not required. Think of how you record and/or how you want to record. That should give you a good idea of what you need.
A Breakout Box
Not a requirement but a goodie. Unless you enjoy reaching around behind your pc and trying to find where to plug in everything.
4. I have a standalone Hard Drive recorder and a boatload of effects (compressor, reverb, etc.) what would be gained by going to the computer and using a program such as Sound Forge over the effects and compression I have available to me at present?
An extra bit of polish. It's kind of like the difference between taking your car to a carwash or to a detail shop. The carwash will get the car shiny and clean but the detail shop adds that last little bit of sparkle. There are sound cards that will transfer the data from your Hard Drive recorder to the computer digitally. Once in the computer you can manipulate the file in ways you can't on the HD recorder. For instance, say the singer has some serious popping p's going on. You can zoom in on the offending phrase and massage the waveform until it sounds perfectly pleasant.
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