How do I record my band with recording software and mixer

[AL3X.R.M]

Me and my band are trying to find a way to record without using a cheap mixer and the mic input on my laptop. This isn't a very good way and I am worried about it damaging my laptop (because of higher input voltage). We are looking for a higher quality recording and a way to edit and produce our music, but can't find an easy, suitable way to multi-channel/track record with recording software on the laptop. We need something with 3 or 4 1/4 jack inputs for electric drum kit and guitars with a MIDI input for keyboard and synths. We have no idea how to do it as we are all new to the 'band' thing and we don't have a lot of money as we're only 15

Any help PLEASE

Edited April 22, 2010 by AL3X.R.M

[Rimskidog]

There are a dozen ways to do this. Ultimately it comes down to how much you can afford?

[EdwardHimself]

How much do you have to spend, i would say that at the cheapest a new 4 input audio input is at least about £200 but i would reccomend you perhaps spend a bit more on a slightly higher quality interface. I remember when i was 15 i tried to "save" on cheap stuff but really if you skimp then you're just wasting money. As for your DAW software, well audacity is okay for free software. The chances are that if you get a decent audio interface then it might come with a light version of their DAW. See if that's any good, but don't feel you have to go for their software when you upgrade.

Edited April 22, 2010 by EdwardHimself

[Kiwi]

Best way is to buy a USB mixer/soundcard. They're not cheap though, even second hand but you will have independent control of each track after you record.

[Kiwi]

[url="http://ezinearticles.com/?About-Soundcards,-Audio-Interface-and-USB-Mixers-For-Computer-Based-Home-Music-Production&id=4122728"]http://ezinearticles.com/?About-Soundcards...&id=4122728[/url]

[AL3X.R.M]

Thanks for your reply's, i guess we're all going to have to save up for some quality stuff that will last. Do you have any recomendations on an audio interface we could use until we start earning a bit more money.

[s1ater]

[quote name='AL3X.R.M' post='815436' date='Apr 22 2010, 08:41 PM']Thanks for your reply's, i guess we're all going to have to save up for some quality stuff that will last. Do you have any recomendations on an audio interface we could use until we start earning a bit more money.[/quote]


you could use a behringer uca200 thingy that uses the tape ins and outs on your mixer. not exactly great but its what I used until I got myself a decent setup.

[Rimskidog]

[quote name='AL3X.R.M' post='815436' date='Apr 22 2010, 08:41 PM']Thanks for your reply's, i guess we're all going to have to save up for some quality stuff that will last. Do you have any recomendations on an audio interface we could use until we start earning a bit more money.[/quote]

At the moment we don't have a clue if you've got 50p or a hundred quid. Give us a clue and we might be able to help!

[AL3X.R.M]

[quote name='Rimskidog' post='815529' date='Apr 22 2010, 10:05 PM']At the moment we don't have a clue if you've got 50p or a hundred quid. Give us a clue and we might be able to help![/quote]

I would say that all of us could probabley put towards it about 50-60 quid each, so around 200-240 pound at a push.

[Rimskidog]

[quote name='AL3X.R.M' post='816544' date='Apr 23 2010, 06:45 PM']I would say that all of us could probabley put towards it about 50-60 quid each, so around 200-240 pound at a push.[/quote]

Unless you can get a bit more money together there isnt a huge amount between lower end interfaces. If you want something new then something like this: [url="http://www.dv247.com/mixers/phonic-helix-board-12-firewire-mkii-mixer--33713"]http://www.dv247.com/mixers/phonic-helix-b...ii-mixer--33713[/url] would be useable for rehearsal/live, provide a user friendly interface and has a daw bundled with it. It also gives you some money over for microphones, headphones etc.

There are a zillion options though. Here's about 5 pages of them: [url="http://www.dv247.com/search/0/0/ProductQuantity/Descending/firewire/1/"]http://www.dv247.com/search/0/0/ProductQua...ing/firewire/1/[/url]

Edited April 23, 2010 by Rimskidog

[Pete1967]

PM me... I may be able to help you out.

[BobVbass]

check out Kristal - freeware recording for the Pc - I use it with my PA desk

[BobVbass]

or to elaborate -

one of these - [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Behringer-U-Phono-UFO202-USB-Vinyl-Audio-Interface/AMM"]http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Co...o-Interface/AMM[/url]

and this - [url="http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php"]http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php[/url]

plug in the tape out from your desk

[s1ater]

[quote name='bob_pickard' post='817805' date='Apr 25 2010, 07:42 AM']or to elaborate -

one of these - [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Behringer-U-Phono-UFO202-USB-Vinyl-Audio-Interface/AMM"]http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Co...o-Interface/AMM[/url]

and this - [url="http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php"]http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php[/url]

plug in the tape out from your desk[/quote]


dont use that one!!!

thats for phono outs on a vinyl deck

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/79E"]http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Co...o-Interface/79E[/url]
thats the one.

If you've got around £200 to spend i'd go for the m-audio fast track ultra.

[EdwardHimself]

[quote name='s1ater' post='818813' date='Apr 26 2010, 07:28 AM']If you've got around £200 to spend i'd go for the m-audio fast track ultra.[/quote]

I agree with spending more of what you've got rather than some cheapo £25 jobbie without a doubt. You'll only end up regretting it if you don't. Having said that, i personally would never buy an M-Audio interface again because i was heavily dissatisfied with their customer service.

[cheddatom]

I bought 2 M-Audio delta 1010lt cards for about £60 each, and a sh*t 24 channel mixer for £30, which means I can record up to 20 tracks simultaneously for £150 (plus mics and cables, stands etc etc).

[AL3X.R.M]

[quote name='cheddatom' post='819064' date='Apr 26 2010, 11:13 AM']I bought 2 M-Audio delta 1010lt cards for about £60 each, and a sh*t 24 channel mixer for £30, which means I can record up to 20 tracks simultaneously for £150 (plus mics and cables, stands etc etc).[/quote]

This would be perfect for me, but i dont want to change my internal sound card. Do you know any external cards that would do the same as this but still priced around 150-200 pound? Thanks again

[EdwardHimself]

[quote name='AL3X.R.M' post='827592' date='May 4 2010, 04:04 PM']This would be perfect for me, but i dont want to change my internal sound card. Do you know any external cards that would do the same as this but still priced around 150-200 pound? Thanks again[/quote]

Well you won't be able to install a full size PCI card like that on a laptop anyway. Unforturnately you're not going to get 10 in 10 out for that sort of price with an external soundcard, unless you maybe see if you can find anything on ebay.

[ThomBassmonkey]

If you're using an electronic drum kit, it's pretty simple compared to an acoustic one.

To be honest, unless you're making a real go of it (in which case I'd probably use the £200 to hire a cheap studio/rehearsal rooms with recording facilities for a day rather than waste it on cheap gear) then you're probably better off just recording each instrument individually. Buy a cheap audio interface that has 1 XLR and 1 jack and a mic for guitars/vocals, then if you have money left over, buy some software or save yourself some cash.

[EdwardHimself]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='827686' date='May 4 2010, 05:37 PM']If you're using an electronic drum kit, it's pretty simple compared to an acoustic one.

To be honest, unless you're making a real go of it (in which case I'd probably use the £200 to hire a cheap studio/rehearsal rooms with recording facilities for a day rather than waste it on cheap gear) then you're probably better off just recording each instrument individually. Buy a cheap audio interface that has 1 XLR and 1 jack and a mic for guitars/vocals, then if you have money left over, buy some software or save yourself some cash.[/quote]

+1 there's no point in trying to be clever and record it all live because all you're doing is giving yourself less mics to play with on instruments, and ruining any chance of isolation between instruments.

[AL3X.R.M]

Well we have software but we just need to find a multi channel interface, firewire or sound card :/

[cheddatom]

have a look at dv247.com, they have a lot of interfaces, USB and Firewire. I'm not sure what your exact requirements are but you should be able to find something on there. If it's too expensive keep an eye out on the for sale forum. I've seen some really good deals on interfaces on here in the past.

[AL3X.R.M]

Thanks for all your help.
Finally found something that all my mates could use without asking me all the time. The M-audio Fast Track Ultra high speed 8x8 USB interface
This sould do just fine.