I was going to post this on the “open letter to newbies” thread as it’s kind of relevant, but thought that it probably should have it’s own thread on not hijack that one.
I have been wondering the best way to cheaply record clips. I don’t want to spend money on a new recording machine if possible, I’d rather spend the money on whistles or music. Do people record directly to their computers (if so, what software and do you have any special microphones) or do people have a separate recorder?
And yes, I did a search first because I thought that this would have been discussed before, but surprisingly if you search for “recording clips” or “recorders” variations of this you get many many returns, but I could not find any that were relevant. Seems we like to discuss this topic!
As software, I use Audacity, it´s very good and it´s free.
As hardware - I´m a poor student, I use some mic for skyp-ing for 10 bucks, or the one integrated into my laptop - not huge quality (quite contrary) - but at least I can say I play better in reality, without telling lies
It somewhat depends on what you want to do with the reocrdings. But to hear/judge your own playing or to make a CD copy, etc., you will be pleasantly surprised by Audacity, a free download program, mentioned by the previous poster. I record both directly through my laptop built-in microphone and to a better-quality exernal microphone. Once recorded (and you can record a whistle, then go back and, while listening to your whistle recording, record another track with a different instrument (e.g. any instrument or voice). After you make a recording, you can go back and add echo (like reverberation), change volumes, bass, tenor, fade-in or fade-out, and on and on. Then, you can save it as an Audacity file for later adjustments and an mp3 file for copying to friends or on a CD.
In my opinion, there is hardly a better way to start/learn. There are plenty of folks on this wonderful site who know much more than I do about the processes and with recommendation. Good luck.
Ron
Let me know if you want to hear a sample. I’ll send directly to your e-mail address, as I do not know if you can attach to this reply.
Yes, I use a Shure SM57 microphone ($99 US) into a Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer ($60 US), then line out to my computer sound card, and an older version of SoundForge as my recording software.
For a less expensive solution, a decent USB microphone ($40 US) directly into the computer would work as well, though with slightly less control, and Audacity ($0) as the recording software. And in a pinch, a built-in computer mike ($0) or a regular cheapo computer microphone (~$10 US) would do.
And for hosting your clips, a free box.net account is a popular solution among C&Fers.
Honestly, with these simple and inexpensive tools, just about anyone with a computer can easily record and post clips.
I’ve been using Audacity and the built-in mic on my laptop. It works surprisingly well – at least for my needs, which are purely private. At any rate doesn’t cost a thing.
Like most I use Audacity. I tried Adobe Audition but it’s too complex and I don’t have the time to learn how to use it. Audacity is much more user friendly and simpler (it does have a lot less options though, but still all you need to record basic clips).
As mic I use the only one I have, my headset. It’s actually meant for voice chat and has an automatic ‘noise’ filter that clears out most sounds not directly going into the mic, so it usually makes my clips a bit muffled.
I use mac’s garage band that comes on mac computers and my built in mic. It works well enough for recording stuff for me to listen to again, or for emailing to my friends to show them my progress and it is very easy to use. So… If you want to buy a mac I would recommend it.
I record to my minidisc recorder (has the advantage you can get away from the 'puter!), but if you’re subsisting on ancient technology, a cassette recorder will do too as long as you have a mic for it. My minidisc has a stereo mic and records at stunningly good quality. (You can pick up 2nd hand minidisc recorders for about £30 these days!) I do any trimming of the clip on the MD and I then transfer it to the computer using freeware EasyMP3SoundRecorder via the computer’s Line In and sound card (you have to sort out the transfer volume levels…), save the resulting mp3 and then upload it to BoxNet (as MTGuru suggested) for sharing/linking. Very simple after you’ve done it a few times. The hard bit is getting a “take” you are satisfied with!
EasyMP3SoundRecorder can accept input from various different sources, including a mic direct into the computer, but you can’t edit the sound with it at all, or even trim clips, so Audacity sounds probably a better bet there, but I’ve no experience of it.
I have also recorded some video clips on my mobile phone and transferred them to the computer and uploaded and shared them via BoxNet.
Just a question: it might not be the best choise, but does anyone know if there is the possibility using the microphone of the cell phone in combination with software like audacity or other?
Thanks
Silvano
Thanks for the feedback everyone, I’ll go with the Audacity and a cheap computer mike until my playing outstrips my recording ability, then I may look at an upgrade.
For now, I just need the recordings to track my progress and get feedback (soon)
if you search for “recording clips” or “recorders” variations of this you get many many returns, but I could not find any that were relevant. Seems we like to discuss this topic!