Recording setup

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:00 pm

I'm looking for recommendations on equipment to record myself. I just want to hear myself for feedback purposes and will not be sending the recordings to anyone, so I don't need a high-end set up.

Two options, I thought of are attaching a microphone to my computer or using a digital recorder. Any advice on specific equipment or other suggestions are much appreciated.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:40 pm

I do this myself, and I find it very helpful. What I use is the Mixcraft recording software, and an omni-directional microphone that I bought at radio shack. It makes really good recordings, but I also use it to make CDs for friends and family.

So, for just the purposes you are looking for. IF you have a system with microsoft software, then it comes with an audio recording software [go to START Accec. then entertainment]. Any decent microphone that will hook up to your computer should be fine.

In my expieriance with portable tape recorders, I have found them to often times be detrimental to one's progress. Usually, unless you really invest in a quality tape recorder, the sound quality isnt usually desirable, and wont give you a good idea of how you sound. So, be careful when going with portable tape players.

But, just keep in mind, that this is my opinion, and others will probably have other information to offer, so keep your options open.

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:10 pm

I do have Microsoft software at my computer. Is there a specific microphone that you recommend?

I am actually curious about a digital recorder, not a tape recorder. I really have no idea how much a "good" recorder costs or which specific digital recorders are recommended. This option would allow for more flexibility of recording location.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:08 am

I personally havent had any expieriances with digital recorders, so sorry that I cant be of much help. However, if there is a radio shack in your area, I can definately reccommend a mic that will not only give you a decent sound quality recording, but the sound is good enough to make home made CDs.

It is a omni-directional microphone sold by radio shack [ I think they actually make iit]. It sells for about $24 and you have to buy a $3 adapter for your computer. The sound quality is excellent. It is designed to be used in conferance room situations, and also to be used for instrumental recordings. So, I thought it was pretty good. However, because it is sometimes difficult to transport a computer, I can see how a digital recorder would be more useful to you.

apicultrice · Post by **apicultrice** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:55 pm

Hi!

I use a Sony MZ-N707 NetMD portable MiniDisc player/recorder, with a Sony ECM-DS70P electret condenser microphone. It's a pretty nice setup, definitely very easy to use and it produces a nice quality recording. I think that I got the whole thing for under a hundred bucks on ebay. Minidisc.org has a lot of helpful advice and reviews in choosing a player. I think Sony is probably one of the best minidisc brands that you can buy.

I can record on the MD and then dump it all into audacity, a free downloadable audio editing program. That allows me to take out gaps, change levels, add sound effects, etc, and then I can burn it to a disc from there, or import it into Itunes.

My husband has a fancier setup that he uses for making worktapes and demos (he's a songwriter), so if you're interested in something fancier, let me know and I can get him to give me more details.

Hope this helps!

Celine

apicultrice · Post by **apicultrice** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 1:00 pm

PS: If you're planning to go the ebay route, be sure to read descriptions carefully. There are a lot of shops on there that offer "refurbished" items - the electret condenser microphone that I'd purchased from ebay originally was "refurbished" and it didn't have the best sound quality. I married into a new one, thanks to my sound tech geek of a husband, but I was not impressed with the refurbished mic from ebay. The MD was gently used and remains a workhorse, even three years later - I don't really see a reason to pay 300 for something like that when there are genuinely good deals to be found on ebay.

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:03 am

Thanks for the advice.

I've decided to start with just the microphone and Windows software, as it was the cheapest option. I'm quite happy with the quality of the recording, that least given the quality of the speakers on the computer. Now I just need to figure out what settings to use so that one minute of playing doesn't produce a 10 MG file.

I will definitely consider the MiniDisc option in the future.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:33 am

c_otter

The reason you are using 10mb a minute is you are recording is stereo. CD quality audio is 44khz/16bit, which will generate a file that large. If this is too mnuch for your hard drive space, you could either go Mono, or lower the sample rate to 22khz. THis will work, the only problemn is you need software capable of doing this. There is a multitrack program call NTrack at http://www.fasoft.com that has a fully funtional trial. It is a little bit of a learning curve, but may give you what you want.

Any other questions, just let me know.

Phineas

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:31 pm

I use the program "Audacity" to do simple recordings -- it's free and open source. You can do more than one track with it as well.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

I use the instrumental microphone that SmartMusic sells. It's only $10 right now (usually $15, but on sale until the end of February)

http://www.smartmusic.com/order/accessories.aspx

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:46 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I've found how to change the recording quality; I just didn't know what all of the numbers meant.

I've also found out that there are some pricey recorders, such as Edirol, which are supposed to be pretty good.