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If you aren't going to be hooking up a MIDI instrument to your computer, and you already have a good stereo receiver/amp with speakers, it isn't absolutely essential that you use a mixer or audio interface. However, you'll probably want to invest in that piece of hardware eventually to have more options for connecting audio equipment, or for live instruments and mics.
Click on the links below to see various methods of connecting audio components to your computer:
Stereo System Only | Interface Only | USB Interface & Stereo System | Analog Interface & Stereo System
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Stereo System Only | Interface Only | USB Interface & Stereo System | Analog Interface & Stereo System
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Additional Info
Check that your sound card mixing software is correctly set up
for recording. Go to Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices
and click the Advanced button on the Volume tab. Next, click on
Options, then Properties, then click on Recording. Make sure
that mic, line-in and cdrom are all checked for later use.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with your particluar recording
software. Most programs are pretty straightforward and you
can be recording in very little time. It may take a while to learn
all the intricacies of the software such as applying effects, so
be prepared to do some reading and experimenting.
After recording, you can save the song as a .wav file (or .mid if applicable). Both file fomats will play in pretty much any jukebox software or media playback program, such as Winamp or Microsoft's own Media Player. You can burn a music cd from .wav files using your cd burning software and a CDR/W drive. The software will convert the .wav files to .cda (cd audio) music files which will play in most home or auto cd players. MIDI files will need to be converted to .wav before burning to cd audio. You may need a .wav to .mid conversion program for this purpose.
You can also convert the song files to a compressed music file format known as MP3. MP3 files take up much less disk space due to the compression. MP3s are very popular since you can copy them to a tiny, portable MP3 player and take them with you anywhere. Some new home cd (and dvd) players will also play MP3 files.
Why not start enjoying this fascinating hobby today?
Check that your sound card mixing software is correctly set up
for recording. Go to Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices
and click the Advanced button on the Volume tab. Next, click on
Options, then Properties, then click on Recording. Make sure
that mic, line-in and cdrom are all checked for later use.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with your particluar recording
software. Most programs are pretty straightforward and you
can be recording in very little time. It may take a while to learn
all the intricacies of the software such as applying effects, so
be prepared to do some reading and experimenting.
After recording, you can save the song as a .wav file (or .mid if applicable). Both file fomats will play in pretty much any jukebox software or media playback program, such as Winamp or Microsoft's own Media Player. You can burn a music cd from .wav files using your cd burning software and a CDR/W drive. The software will convert the .wav files to .cda (cd audio) music files which will play in most home or auto cd players. MIDI files will need to be converted to .wav before burning to cd audio. You may need a .wav to .mid conversion program for this purpose.
You can also convert the song files to a compressed music file format known as MP3. MP3 files take up much less disk space due to the compression. MP3s are very popular since you can copy them to a tiny, portable MP3 player and take them with you anywhere. Some new home cd (and dvd) players will also play MP3 files.
Why not start enjoying this fascinating hobby today?
Introduction
One of the most enjoyable aspects of computing is the ability to use audio/MIDI software to record, create, edit and burn music. It's a very creative process, which is what makes it so appealing to so many people. You actually get to listen to your work after you're finished and you can even play the results in you car or elsewhere if you have a CD or MP3 player.
You can record from cassette tapes and even those old vinyl LP's, all the while removing the hissing and the scratches. And, if you play a musical instrument and/or sing, you can use the audio software to record your own live music, either by itself, or on top of an existing recording. The possibilities are nearly endless.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of computing is the ability to use audio/MIDI software to record, create, edit and burn music. It's a very creative process, which is what makes it so appealing to so many people. You actually get to listen to your work after you're finished and you can even play the results in you car or elsewhere if you have a CD or MP3 player.
You can record from cassette tapes and even those old vinyl LP's, all the while removing the hissing and the scratches. And, if you play a musical instrument and/or sing, you can use the audio software to record your own live music, either by itself, or on top of an existing recording. The possibilities are nearly endless.
What you'll need to start:
▪ A good computer system - see Minimum PC Specs
▪ A good sound card or integrated audio on your computer
▪ Quality audio software for recording and audio editing
▪ A mixing board or computer audio interface (recommended, but not absolutely necessary for audio only) or a MIDI interface if you want to use a midi keyboard, etc
▪ Stereo cables (configuration depends upon the mixing unit)
▪ A good quality dynamic microphone(s) with XLR connectors (if you want to record voices)
▪ A high quality set of amplified speakers or a stereo amplifier/receiver with good speakers
▪ A good computer system - see Minimum PC Specs
▪ A good sound card or integrated audio on your computer
▪ Quality audio software for recording and audio editing
▪ A mixing board or computer audio interface (recommended, but not absolutely necessary for audio only) or a MIDI interface if you want to use a midi keyboard, etc
▪ Stereo cables (configuration depends upon the mixing unit)
▪ A good quality dynamic microphone(s) with XLR connectors (if you want to record voices)
▪ A high quality set of amplified speakers or a stereo amplifier/receiver with good speakers
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pcMusicStuff.com
Basic Audio Recording Info
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 pcMusicStuff.com
Audio Recording
This is the capturing of signals from audio devices such as microphones, musical instruments, tape decks, cd players, and turntables. These captured signals are stored in tracks which can then be combined and have various effects applied to them if desired.
The signals can be recorded directly to a digital audio recording workstation (computer). Most existing home computers can be turned into powerful recording studios for minimal cost.
Live recording is best accomplished on multi-track software, as this allows for the "layering" of instuments and voices using a different track for each. Each of these tracks can have various effects applied, and can then be combined into one stereo track, where any final effects and compression can be used.
Live recording can also be accomplished on single stereo track recording software by running all the instruments/mics through a mixing unit with effects. Here the individual gains can be adjusted and the output can be sent as a stereo signal to the computer. Effects can then be applied using the software application.
MIDI Recording
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard which allows electronic musical instruments such as synthesizer keyboards and drum machines to be connected to other MIDI devices and computers.
Depending on your MIDI instrument and sound card, you can produce many different kinds of sounds and record them to your computer. You can compose and record your own songs and be the entire band or orchestra!
MIDI recording capabilities are seldom included in audio recording programs, however n-Track Studio does include this feature.
This is the capturing of signals from audio devices such as microphones, musical instruments, tape decks, cd players, and turntables. These captured signals are stored in tracks which can then be combined and have various effects applied to them if desired.
The signals can be recorded directly to a digital audio recording workstation (computer). Most existing home computers can be turned into powerful recording studios for minimal cost.
Live recording is best accomplished on multi-track software, as this allows for the "layering" of instuments and voices using a different track for each. Each of these tracks can have various effects applied, and can then be combined into one stereo track, where any final effects and compression can be used.
Live recording can also be accomplished on single stereo track recording software by running all the instruments/mics through a mixing unit with effects. Here the individual gains can be adjusted and the output can be sent as a stereo signal to the computer. Effects can then be applied using the software application.
MIDI Recording
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard which allows electronic musical instruments such as synthesizer keyboards and drum machines to be connected to other MIDI devices and computers.
Depending on your MIDI instrument and sound card, you can produce many different kinds of sounds and record them to your computer. You can compose and record your own songs and be the entire band or orchestra!
MIDI recording capabilities are seldom included in audio recording programs, however n-Track Studio does include this feature.
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Mixer/Mixing Board:
This is your least expensive solution for connecting various audio components to your computer.
You can connect tape decks, cd players, guitars and microphones to these consoles. They typically have gain (volume) controls for each channel as well as 3 band equalizers for the mono channels. There's also an overall gain control for the entire board. More expensive boards may also have built-in effects, although these aren't necessary if your software has the effects you want.
Computer Audio Interface:
There are numerous kinds of these devices, including PCI Sound Card's with inputs specifically for recording purposes, devices that plug into USB or Firewire ports, and as shown below (Rolls GCI404), a unit that can used as a standalone mixer or installed in a 5-1/4" drive bay in a computer. Again, you can connect a variety of audio equipment to these.
Computer MIDI Interface:
If you want to record from a MIDI device (that has a MIDI plug instead of a USB plug) you'll need a MIDI interface to enable the plug from the device to connect to either your sound card 15 pin joystick connector (many newer sound cards and PC's don't have these) or to a USB port. Of course, your software must be able to record midi tracks. There are also various configurations of these from simple cable interfaces to consoles with effects.
Computer Audio/MIDI Interface
These units have inputs for both audio equipment/instruments and MIDI instruments/keyboards.
They are basically a combination of the two components listed above.
This is your least expensive solution for connecting various audio components to your computer.
You can connect tape decks, cd players, guitars and microphones to these consoles. They typically have gain (volume) controls for each channel as well as 3 band equalizers for the mono channels. There's also an overall gain control for the entire board. More expensive boards may also have built-in effects, although these aren't necessary if your software has the effects you want.
Computer Audio Interface:
There are numerous kinds of these devices, including PCI Sound Card's with inputs specifically for recording purposes, devices that plug into USB or Firewire ports, and as shown below (Rolls GCI404), a unit that can used as a standalone mixer or installed in a 5-1/4" drive bay in a computer. Again, you can connect a variety of audio equipment to these.
Computer MIDI Interface:
If you want to record from a MIDI device (that has a MIDI plug instead of a USB plug) you'll need a MIDI interface to enable the plug from the device to connect to either your sound card 15 pin joystick connector (many newer sound cards and PC's don't have these) or to a USB port. Of course, your software must be able to record midi tracks. There are also various configurations of these from simple cable interfaces to consoles with effects.
Computer Audio/MIDI Interface
These units have inputs for both audio equipment/instruments and MIDI instruments/keyboards.
They are basically a combination of the two components listed above.
1/8" stereo
stereo RCA to 1/8" stereo
stereo RCA
1/4" phono to stereo RCA
The cables you'll need vary depending on your mixer or interface. You'll definitely need a couple of sets of stereo cables with RCA plugs, for sure.
Beyond that, you can put together just about any kind of combination you want. For example, you may need a cable with a 1/8" stereo mini plug on one end and two RCA plugs on the other; or two 1/4" phono plug to RCA plug adapters.
There are many different types and configurations of adapters available, only a few of which are shown.
Beyond that, you can put together just about any kind of combination you want. For example, you may need a cable with a 1/8" stereo mini plug on one end and two RCA plugs on the other; or two 1/4" phono plug to RCA plug adapters.
There are many different types and configurations of adapters available, only a few of which are shown.
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Computer Sound Card or Onboard Audio
At right is a computer sound card with it's input/output jacks. The jacks on your card may be in a different order and you may not have a MIDI connector. USB has nearly rendered the traditional sound card MIDI connector obsolete.
At right is a computer sound card with it's input/output jacks. The jacks on your card may be in a different order and you may not have a MIDI connector. USB has nearly rendered the traditional sound card MIDI connector obsolete.
Blue - Line In ------>
Pink - Microphone ------>
Green - Line Out/Speakers ---->
Joystick / MIDI Connector ---->
Music Recording Software and Mixing Hardware
Before we begin here, please note that the information below is pretty basic and is geared toward giving the beginner a better understanding of how to get started recording audio on a computer system. Since most beginners don't want to spend a lot of money on equipment, we provide some diagrams showing how to hook up various components to your computer using a home stereo system and/or an audio interface or mixer.
Anyone wanting to get serious and actually put together a home recording studio can find more information on the hardware and software needed, as well as methods of hooking it up, by checking this page: Home Recording Studio
Anyone wanting to get serious and actually put together a home recording studio can find more information on the hardware and software needed, as well as methods of hooking it up, by checking this page: Home Recording Studio