All you need is a proper microphone and an adapter to feed into the mic input of your soundcard. If you have the cash, go to a local pawnshop, you may be able to score a half decent mic for cheap.
I'm all ready to go, I have secured a 4-track recorder for this project which I can use in conjunction with my computer in laying down drum tracks. It is really going to sound sweet using 4 microphones to capture my tracks.
I did a little bit last night mostly for myself and bettering the sound quality, but I can't really do anything until I have a rhythm to listen to. The most I can really do is come up with some drum patterns (which I will be doing), here and there which may inspire a riff or two.
It'll be a while, scuff. I spoke with my audiophile guru today, and he recommended some inexpensive products for me to start being able to record on my computer.
I've gotta get something. That's my only roadblock at this point is the inability to record.
ok thats cool. But i'd say screw the mic thing. get a 1/4" guitar cable and RECORD THROUGH THE PLUG then get a 1/8" adapter then plug it into the LINE LEVEL input on your sound card. I just got a Creative soundblaster 16 pci 4.1 for $30.00 and it has MIDI capabilty and reacts pretty fast. Up until this point I have been using analogue (a Tascam MK 2 and a Yamaha MT8X) so this digital recording is relatively new to me.
but I would imagine you need some sort of Cakewalk software or something. I have Cakewalk Music Creator 2003 ($40.00) but nobody seems to know much about this program(Guitar Center, Musicians Friend) I got it at staples
No, definitely no mic for me. That stuff's for drummers
I'm looking at Behringer products (www.behringer.com) - they come highly recommended from my clients (whom I build those fabled pro audio computers for). Now I'M the n00b, and they are giving me advice my how the tables have turned
lol.. Yeah, it takes some getting used to. My hand is sore in ways it's never been sore before. I'm stretching it out more, though. Eventually the pain will go away.
Whee came home from the road with a) one complete and 2 partial songs' worth of lyrics b) a Boss BR-8 Digital Recording Studio that I found second hand and cheap. 8-track, which can be bounced down to 64 tracks. It even came with a manual which I am going to have to read about 19 times. It records to Zip disks, which I found out are still expensive OUCH $40 for 2. I have no idea whether I can make this thing talk to one of my computers or not but it has digital out so I think I can make it talk to NF7-S Soundstorm, in any case I bought a digital optical to digital optical patch cord. Pics to come, will also post lyrics.
Keto - you might want to PM -tk as he has either the exact same model or something very similar by Boss.. I know for a fact that the format is proprietary and cannot be read by computers. He knows a lot about that thing.
W00t! Musician's Friend has the M-Audio Delta 410 on sale for $100 !! (This is a $250 PCI based recording solution) I've set up the Delta 1010 (the 10-track version) for a studio and this thing rocks. 4 tracks is plenty for me
Grrr I spent about an hour hemming and hawwing over that machine in the store. The store owner was pushing it because it was consignment from a guy who owes him $$. I explained to him and the (extremely helpful) salesman many many many times that I needed to be able to hook the unit up to a computer and that though I have 4 computers, I do not have a zip drive. The assured me but only when they gave me 21 days money back if I couldnt get it to work did I spend the $. Looks like it's going back - you CAN convert the files to .wav if you have a zip drive but, once again, I do not.
Too bad, just spent the last 4 hours playing with it. Has great effects, amp emulations, emulates a bass using guitar (admittedly, not that well), some really cool vocal effects, over 50 built in rhythm tracks that can be modulated for speed. My son and I did a 7 track version of 'Lithium' just messing around, was a riot using all the different sounds then setting up the panning, reverb, etc.
I had one of those for about 3 years before it took a crap on me, now it's completly non-functional. It turns on but thats about it. I basically paid $600 for a pice of junk, but when it worked it was great. I really hope you have better luck with yours. Just make sure you back your stuff up, unlike me :)The only thing I didnt like was that you can only do 2 simultaneous tracks, and they dont give you any XLR inputs. You really don't need the XLR if you're recording just guitar, but damnit I like to mic the amp because real tubes sound better than simulated ones!!!!!!
If you wanna get it to record to your computer, get a stereo RCA to 1/8" cable and run it from the line out on your BR-8 to the line in on your computer. Just make sure you set the source on your computers volume properties to line in. Also make sure you doing it in the recording properties. (Open up volume control, then go to Options -> Properties, and select the radio button that says "Adjust volume for recording", and select line in.)
You can also use it as a mixer if you want to record directly into cakewalk or whatever, just pan track 1 to the left and track 2 to the right, then tell your software to use the left input for track 1 and the right input for track 2.
Errm, made the 3 hour round trip this morning and took it back. I'm such a sucker, came home with a BR-864. But it has tons more effects and more importantly, USB interface plus storage on Compact Flash cards (comes with a 128MB). This one does have XLR input. Still max 2 live tracks but that doesn't matter to us here at the moment. http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/en/BR_864.html
Well OK here goes. I hate sharing this kinda stuff as it makes me very self conscious. Anyways, I have written 2 full sets of lyrics, titled "Mediaman" and "primesuspect". The songs are not necessarily biographical though both contain biographical references. More so it would be accurate to say that the names inspired the writing.
"Mediaman" came very quickly and almost fully formed. I don't have a melody for it but have some rhythm parts to contribute. Think very dark crunchy and dynamically diverse. I was listenting to Tool/Aenima today and I suggest it as inspiration to anyone looking to add to this song. Prime and Shorty's low B's will fit in very well here. I'm pretty happy with it so don't hit me too hard with the critisisms.
The "tech tech" vocal part is intended in part as harmony and in part as a rhythmic device. Say to yourself "tech tech tech tech" in a near whisper but hit the 't' and the 'k' real hard and you'll see what I mean.
Here are the lyrics and structure:
Mediaman
Lyrics by Kent 'keto' 02-18-2004
**Items in single brackets ( ) are harmonies or underlying vocal tracks
**Items in dual brackets (( )) are comments on desired sounds
VERSE1
He never sees the light of day
Burning bits and bytes and time
Tap tapping out tomorrow's history
Culling the average
(tech tech tech tech....tech tech tech tech)
VERSE2
Not quite an ink-stained wretch
In fact fingers turn to plastic
Through the glass layers he finds our lives
Guides our lives
(tech tech tech tech....tech tech tech tech)
BRIDGE
Where will he lead us
owns our eyes
owns our hears [not a typo, hears NOT ears]
owns our rating
here, have our vote
CHORUS
((HOWLING!!@!)) M-m-m-m-eeeeeeediiiiaaamaaaaaaaaannn (tech tech)
Take our minds and call it art (tech tech)
Boil down the science but (tech tech)
What is the motive of the light (tech tech)
VERSE3
Hands off the code use your crew
Scratch the surface bork the site
Back to work stop the ....presses?
He's got the lead to deliver
(tech tech tech tech....tech tech tech tech)
BRIDGE
CHORUS v2.0
Mediaman (tech tech)
Living three full lives and more (tech tech)
Silicon and circuitry filling (tech tech)
The bandwidth with the light (tech tech)
Heh. OK here you go prime. I will admit that I struggled and continue to struggle with this one more - to me it feels a little trite and overly direct (???) Suggestions for revisions will be more welcomed here.
The 'feel' is pretty much straight ahead hard rock, verse chorus verse chorus verse chorus verse. Uptempo, can be slightly 'punk' or loose. Or hell, it can be whatever anyone wants it to be, experimental avante garde jazz with cowpies thrown at barn doors for rhythm tracks for all I know - JAM AWAY.
prime suspect
Lyrics by Kent 'keto' 02-18-2004
VERSE1
Just because a man loves his dog Insert Snuffie pic *here*
Doesn't make the man humane
He'll slit your throat and
Quietly steal away, leaving
No prime suspect
CHORUS
They've got the victim
They've got the motivation
They've got the penalty
They've missed a step
No prime suspect
VERSE2
Hunted but only his essence
He walks without fear or remorse
The perfect crime he'll do no time
Too good to leave a clue
No prime suspect
CHORUS
VERSE3
A survivor of the mean streets
Alone and without trust
Taking what he wants or needs
But never in the spotlight
No prime suspect
CHORUS
VERSE4
But then one day an indictment
And he turns the wrong corner
Hounded surrounded no defense
There is only one
primesuspect
END
I'm about 1/2 done a set of lyrics on my next opus, "Shorty".
hurry up and get you're crap Brian, I wanna hear some of this stuff. I don't have much to contribute yet, but once I hear what youz guys are coming up with I'll be able to see the direction you want to take this.
Just an FYI: For those looking for a free FTP client so that we can get working on this, look no further than internet explorer.. Just type ftp://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx in the address bar and it will prompt you for the username and password.
About the music, anyone into Blues, I made a 60 second blues song, you all want to start with that?
fire it up there.
BTW: along with .wav's and such, anything we upload should probably have a text file with the chords/key/tuning thats being used. Unless of course you guys wanna make it fun and do it all by ear
Comments
You are the man!
I've gotta get something. That's my only roadblock at this point is the inability to record.
It's on the way, folks.
but I would imagine you need some sort of Cakewalk software or something. I have Cakewalk Music Creator 2003 ($40.00) but nobody seems to know much about this program(Guitar Center, Musicians Friend) I got it at staples
I'm looking at Behringer products (www.behringer.com) - they come highly recommended from my clients (whom I build those fabled pro audio computers for). Now I'M the n00b, and they are giving me advice
http://www.musiciansfriend.com
samash.com
music go round (used gear) if there is one in your area
guitar center " "
See if they sell a large hand too, to fit around that bad boy neck.
That one really backfired. No matter how I answer, I am :Pwned: :rolleyes2
Too bad, just spent the last 4 hours playing with it. Has great effects, amp emulations, emulates a bass using guitar (admittedly, not that well), some really cool vocal effects, over 50 built in rhythm tracks that can be modulated for speed. My son and I did a 7 track version of 'Lithium' just messing around, was a riot using all the different sounds then setting up the panning, reverb, etc.
I had one of those for about 3 years before it took a crap on me, now it's completly non-functional. It turns on but thats about it. I basically paid $600 for a pice of junk, but when it worked it was great. I really hope you have better luck with yours. Just make sure you back your stuff up, unlike me :)The only thing I didnt like was that you can only do 2 simultaneous tracks, and they dont give you any XLR inputs. You really don't need the XLR if you're recording just guitar, but damnit I like to mic the amp because real tubes sound better than simulated ones!!!!!!
If you wanna get it to record to your computer, get a stereo RCA to 1/8" cable and run it from the line out on your BR-8 to the line in on your computer. Just make sure you set the source on your computers volume properties to line in. Also make sure you doing it in the recording properties. (Open up volume control, then go to Options -> Properties, and select the radio button that says "Adjust volume for recording", and select line in.)
You can also use it as a mixer if you want to record directly into cakewalk or whatever, just pan track 1 to the left and track 2 to the right, then tell your software to use the left input for track 1 and the right input for track 2.
Hope that helps, happy recordings
"Mediaman" came very quickly and almost fully formed. I don't have a melody for it but have some rhythm parts to contribute. Think very dark crunchy and dynamically diverse. I was listenting to Tool/Aenima today and I suggest it as inspiration to anyone looking to add to this song. Prime and Shorty's low B's will fit in very well here. I'm pretty happy with it so don't hit me too hard with the critisisms.
The "tech tech" vocal part is intended in part as harmony and in part as a rhythmic device. Say to yourself "tech tech tech tech" in a near whisper but hit the 't' and the 'k' real hard and you'll see what I mean.
Here are the lyrics and structure:
Mediaman
Lyrics by Kent 'keto' 02-18-2004
**Items in single brackets ( ) are harmonies or underlying vocal tracks
**Items in dual brackets (( )) are comments on desired sounds
VERSE1
He never sees the light of day
Burning bits and bytes and time
Tap tapping out tomorrow's history
Culling the average
(tech tech tech tech....tech tech tech tech)
VERSE2
Not quite an ink-stained wretch
In fact fingers turn to plastic
Through the glass layers he finds our lives
Guides our lives
(tech tech tech tech....tech tech tech tech)
BRIDGE
Where will he lead us
owns our eyes
owns our hears [not a typo, hears NOT ears]
owns our rating
here, have our vote
CHORUS
((HOWLING!!@!)) M-m-m-m-eeeeeeediiiiaaamaaaaaaaaannn (tech tech)
Take our minds and call it art (tech tech)
Boil down the science but (tech tech)
What is the motive of the light (tech tech)
VERSE3
Hands off the code use your crew
Scratch the surface bork the site
Back to work stop the ....presses?
He's got the lead to deliver
(tech tech tech tech....tech tech tech tech)
BRIDGE
CHORUS v2.0
Mediaman (tech tech)
Living three full lives and more (tech tech)
Silicon and circuitry filling (tech tech)
The bandwidth with the light (tech tech)
End
OMG i can't wait for my stuff to get here.
hurryup hurryup hurryup musiciansfriend... Must... have.... stuff....
The 'feel' is pretty much straight ahead hard rock, verse chorus verse chorus verse chorus verse. Uptempo, can be slightly 'punk' or loose. Or hell, it can be whatever anyone wants it to be, experimental avante garde jazz with cowpies thrown at barn doors for rhythm tracks for all I know - JAM AWAY.
prime suspect
Lyrics by Kent 'keto' 02-18-2004
VERSE1
Just because a man loves his dog Insert Snuffie pic *here*
Doesn't make the man humane
He'll slit your throat and
Quietly steal away, leaving
No prime suspect
CHORUS
They've got the victim
They've got the motivation
They've got the penalty
They've missed a step
No prime suspect
VERSE2
Hunted but only his essence
He walks without fear or remorse
The perfect crime he'll do no time
Too good to leave a clue
No prime suspect
CHORUS
VERSE3
A survivor of the mean streets
Alone and without trust
Taking what he wants or needs
But never in the spotlight
No prime suspect
CHORUS
VERSE4
But then one day an indictment
And he turns the wrong corner
Hounded surrounded no defense
There is only one
primesuspect
END
I'm about 1/2 done a set of lyrics on my next opus, "Shorty".
Who, me? Range up here is $700 to $800 CDN, checking 4 local shops plus the one I got it at. So probably $450-500 street US.
fire it up there.
BTW: along with .wav's and such, anything we upload should probably have a text file with the chords/key/tuning thats being used. Unless of course you guys wanna make it fun and do it all by ear
"Folding Farm"