I've been using a computer to make music for about the last 8 years. For most amateur or project studio recordists this is the best possible way to go. Digital technology has provided amazing tools for the home studio musician that simply can't be equaled (in terms of power and affordability) by traditional, analog equipment (i.e. tape).

However, like anything you've never tried before, there is a learning curve. If you've never done any home recording, and have never considered using your computer for it, there is a lot of terminology and a lot of concepts that you need to learn.

I was lucky enough starting out to find a great website that was put together by a truly great teacher:

http://www.tweakheadz.com


When you visit this site, look in the navigation menu at the top for a link called: The Guide

This is your doorway into understanding the world of computer music, from the complete basics up to more advanced concepts. There is a wealth of information here, all of it presented in an easy to follow format.

If you want to learn about digital home recording, I urge you to pay a visit and look around.

Geoffrey,

Are you reading my mind because that was my next question !

So are you saying it is possible for me to play my flute, record it on my computer, and save it - to listen to and to - say - document my growth and improvements for my own learning?

Get one of these: http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOTRANSIT

If you have a PC, download this software: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Get a decent microphone and stand or maybe the Pick up the Earth microphone here: http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/wind.htm

Thanks for the tip, Geoffrey. My new iMac has Garage Band on it, and I haven't figured out whether it was just a test drive or not, as yet. My old CPU didn't have a fast enough processor for working with sound files, so I am just now potentially capable of learning this stuff.

Rick,

I've heard great things about Garage Band--supposedly very useful. And your new iMac will handle any recording software you can throw at it. I have a PC that was custom designed to be the heart of my music studio, and it has the same processor as the imac. I just have a bit more RAM and some extra tidbits, but if imacs were a bit quieter, I would have gotten one of them for the studio--great machines, totally powerful enough to run even the most sophisticated, pro-level recording software (on a Mac, these would be things like Logic Pro, Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Cubase).

Those other recording apps sound expensive. That's probably way down the road on the learning curve.

Yes, most of the more serious, pro-level software applications (for Mac and PC both) are going to run somewhere between $400 and $1000. Total overkill for most people, I might add. There are enough really cool software apps for anywhere from completely free to $150 that will do it all.

My recent discovery on Scott August's website: The Beginners Guide to Computer Based Audio Recording

I have Garage Band and haven't really explored all that it can do. I have the 3.0 version.

I bought an MXL USB condenser mic that does not need a preamp. It is very cool. Just plugs right into the MacBook. You do also need a special shockmount for the mic stand because condensers are sensitive, and I also bought a "pop" filter to put inbetween the mic and my flute (or voice). I am very happy with my first few experiments.

But frankly if I'm going to do some serious recording I'm thinking about booking some studio time! I must admit that recording is my downfall. With my limited time I'm happier playing instruments and writing music and singing, and not spending even more time than I already do dinking around on a computer. Of course if I learn a little more about it some simple things will be no big deal, so Geoff and Cryss, thanks for the links.

We were in a studio yesterday on a friend's poetry recording (i.e. on their dime, I back them up on NAF and vocals) and it is amazing what the recording engineer could do with ProTools. I forgot to do a little sound effect (a monkey sound with my voice for a jungle effect) and he said, here, just do it again. And then we helped him find the part where it fit in to the poem and he just put it in there digitally. But it is also amazing what someone like you or I can do with Garage Band or Audacity if we have time time and patience! I did see a local MacHead who knew how to use it do a demo.

The man who did the demo said that he'd make electronic music for many years, and that they used to need a whole room full of computers to do what one little laptop with Garage Band on it can do now. And actually, the computer with Garage Band can do even more than that room full of computers!

There is a MacJams site for GarageBand folks where folks post their musical experiments.

peace and harmony,

Francesca

Hey,

One more thing I forgot -- Barry Higgins just put up some guides to microphone selection etc.

http://www.whitecrowflutes.com/New.htm

peace,

Francesca

A wealth of information in these posts.

Thanks, Larry

Wonderful information here. I just love the flute portal, have a question? come here and find at least one very good answer. I am so thankful that Geoffery and Jeff have this site for all flute people to utilize. Now I know what equipment I will need to get some sounds of my flutes out there for people to hear. Thanks again for the flute portal.

Bryant

Hi Rick,
I am just now starting to experiment with Garageband too. You probably have the full blown version with your new mac as it is included in the entire iLife suite.

Apple has great tutorials on their homepage for Garageband and I would suggest giving them a peek.

The song I post in the Share you Art thread the other day used Garageband. I am no expert with it yet but thus far it seems pretty easy to use. I have used Audacity and it is easy also. I have also taken just a bit of time with the Sonar Calkwalk Producer version and got quickly overwhelmed. I think it would just take some time investment to get it figured out.

Be Spirited,
John

The two primary recording apps that I use are Sonar 6 Producer and Abletone Live 6. Getting started with software programs like these is a major undertaking and will require lots of reading of manuals and watching tutorial videos. I actually chose to shorten the learning curve and I hired professional consultants to teach me how to use them (got a headset for my phone, and we each sat in front of our computers while the consultants walked me through it all).

However, I was building and learning to use a full-fledged studio that could do everything, which is way too much for the average hobbyist who wants to record themselves. Too expensive and way too time consuming (and potentially frustrating). Besides, you can do very sophisticated recording with Garage Band and Audacity.

I found a complete package for beginners at http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/produ...kage?sku=702525. This is probably the way I will get started in recording at home.

That is a nice little recording package! For that price I doubt you could find anything better unless you were buying a used rig for a bargain. Digital technology continues to be generous to the aspiring home recordist

Thanks Geoffery, I used to have a recording studio, sold it way back in time. Now I just want something to record for my own use and for a way for others to hear what my flutes sound like. Having thousands invested for those purposes just doesn't make sense to me. Since I am getting ready to jump back into recording at the "hobby" level I am doing the studies at tweakheadz and on Scott's site to make sure I get what I need and not what my old mind tells me I need.

COOL!

The only thing the MBOX2 Mini won't do is "MIDI". I just starting trying out an MBOX2 (with MIDI) with Sony Acid Pro and it worked fine except with my computer I had the following issues:

1) If I booted while the MBOX was connected it would blue screen (die a horrible death on startup)
2) even without it connected my PC would GPF at random times...
3) The other new stuff I had going at the same time was a new BLUE TOOTH receiver and drivers for a blue tooth keyboard and mouse.

I uninstalled all the above and I an running fine again (will try the MBOX II again and see if it was just an issue with the bluetooth reciever drivers.)

Everything was using the latest drivers I could find...
(I just love fighting with PC problems...., I should say this was all on WINDOWS XP HOME Service Pack 3)

A very good recording software is Reaper and it's free to try out. No restrictions!!

REAPER

I'm using both Sony's Acid and Soundforge. Other than eliminating the always annoying hums here and there (wiring was wrong...lol), the only problem I had was syncing it so I could hear myself and Acid at the same exact time. Amazing how 1/4th of a second can totally screw ya up.
Anyway, there's a setting to compensate buried in Acid, once I found it all has been cool...

Oh, I have a Windows Vista "Multimedia" tower; an HP. It's a 2.2gig Quad-core with 3 gigs of RAM. The soundcard is a RealTek High Def something or other... have to look. Every now and then it will bluescreen on me, but not recording. The problem seems to be internet related, and I shut that off recording, so as of yet no problems... knock on wood.

I use ableton live7 currently, and I think it is just incredible. However I find it so useful because I use it for several live performance applications. if you want something super simple for home recording, audacity I have heard is the bomb.

But if you have the intention of growing and expanding into pro/ semi-pro music work, I highly recommend ableton.

I use Ableton Live (version 6) myself, and I agree with you templewind--fantastic program.

Especially for working out arrangements. The work flow is smooth and intuitive. I record and arrange in Ableton Live and when I finalize everything and render the audio, I move it into Sonar 6 Producer to do the mixing.

Ableton Live is fully featured with mix capabilities, but I think that is it's weakest link. That is not a serious criticism, since I could easily do my mixing in Live, but some of the other DAWs are superior in that area (Sonar is a really nice environment for that).

"Cama'i" (Alutiiq) Greetings Everyone! Ok, Geoffrey- I'm here!!!! LOL *Whew* And that's coming from someone whose 17 Yr. old son had to teach her about navigating around MySpace!!!!
I can give you ALLLLL kinds of advice when it comes to the topic of "recording" -but maneuvering my way around the cyber world..... Yikes! "Quyanaa" (Thanks!) Geoffrey, for being patient with my finding my way to you and the Flute Portal... And a special "Quyanaa" (Thanks!) for being there Brother!!

MY

Hello sheflute, Glad You made it! Its an Honor to have you join us. Many Blessings...Robert

Great to have you back with us, Mary.