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Post by teafran on Apr 7, 2010 1:10:27 GMT -5
Out of curiosity, I've been looking around the web for something to use as a recording device where I can lay down a rythym, bass and lead and over dub them, add effects where needed, etc.
I've seen some foot operated devices that will do that, but I'd like some recommendations - nothing to fancy, just something that will do four/five tracks - for my own amusement.
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Post by Blues Dues on Apr 7, 2010 9:32:35 GMT -5
Audacity works just fine for that. I use it all the time at home, creating compositions. Then, I delete them.
I used to use a small mixer, but I recently made up a guitar cable with the 1/4" jack on one end and an 1/8' jack on the other. Plug the 1/8" into the mic or line input on the computer, open Audacity and record away.
Audacity is free. Here's the info I posted a while back in "Personal Recording":
"Audacity" is a free, open source recording program available for Windows, Mac and other operating systems. It's actually very good, with many of the same features and capabilities as "Garage Band", a popular Mac recording program.
Audacity allows multi-track recordings, dubbing, editing, "sound with sound" (meaning you can add tracks while listening to the existing tracks). It's quite powerful for a free application.
By default, it stores projects in it's own file format or finished files may be exported as WAV files. This may sound like a limitation, but you can also export them as MP3 files if you also download another complimentary encoder program called "Lame". Here's the reason:
Audacity cannot encode MP3 files by itself, because the MP3 encoding algorithm is patented and cannot legally be used in free programs. However, Audacity has been programmed to recognize other existing MP3 encoders that you can download separately. All you have to do is obtain the appropriate MP3 encoder for your computer and then show Audacity where it is located.
Lame is available for free as well. Once installed, Audacity will export files in MP3 format and will also load existing MP3 files.
This makes for some interesting and fun recording sessions.
Play along with Eric Clapton, recording yourself and export the
finished product as an MP3 file.
You can even export an MP3 in Surround Sound, assigning different tracks to individual surround sound speakers.
I've been using the newest Audacity Beta, version 1.3.10 for a while now and it works perfectly. It's intuitive, but there is also on-line help if you get confused about a subject. I also downloaded the Lame utility and it works fine. It may sound a bit confusing, but it was really very easy to do. As long as the Lame file exists anywhere on your computer, Audacity will find it and allow you to export files as stereo or multi-channel (surround sound) MP3 files.
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