Recording Myself

Larn · Aug 22, 2008

Hi all can anyone advise on what's the best way to record myself been playing about 18 months and would like to hear what I sound like :laugh:

Larn.

Taz · Aug 22, 2008

It all depends on your budget but I would sugest going onto youtube to see this site Craisydaisydoo is a contributor on this site, and very good at whet he's been doing.
Recording yourself is a great way to hear any improvement or indeed areas you need to work on.
When you've mastered it let us see the results on the Soundclip section...go on...you know you want to :laugh:

Mikec · Aug 22, 2008

You say the "best" way to record yourself. I'm not sure what you mean by that. High quality sound involves buying quite expensive gear as shown on craisydaisydoo's site, which is excellent. If you are not aiming for hi-fi and just want to hear yourself, it's most likely possible to simply plug a cheap mic into your PC's sound card and use that. Or a cassette recorder if you have one. There are many options.

Larn · Aug 26, 2008

Thanks for that Taz and Mike. I'm not after high quality so I think the best and simpliest way is to go for the mic into the PC.

Cheers Larn.

Mikec · Aug 26, 2008

If you're using Windows XP it has built-in recording software under Accessories/Entertainment in the All Programs section of the Start menu. Alternatively, download Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) it's excellent and free. Have fun!

Taz · Aug 26, 2008

Ok, having read your profile I fully understand how you have obviously ploughed all your available cash into the money-pit that is a classic car :laugh: (just kidding, I own a 1967 series 2 Land Rover)
So if you want to record yourself and not spend loads of cash, there are several ways. the method that I have chosen (and struggle to master) is as follows:
Sure microphone (607 not the more popular 57) into a behringer mixing desk, into the line in on your pc and then I use a second hand version of Cubase recording software. As Mike said though, Audacity is a free piece of software and does a great job. Alternately, stand in front of a digital camcorder and post it on youtube for us all to see ( :laugh: at)

jonf · Aug 26, 2008

Anyone tried using one of those USB mikes? They avoid the need for any intermediate desk, or even a proper sound card. You can record straight onto the PC and then play back through audio gear. Should be plug in and play. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who's used one.

c9off · Aug 26, 2008

I have a Samson USB mike - did a fair amount of group recordings into Audacity with very poor results. As I've mentioned in another thread it could well be user error, but to resolve I bought a Zoom H4 - no problems now!!

Anyone want a mint Samson mike??

Geoff

Taz · Aug 26, 2008

c9off wrote:
Anyone want a mint Samson mike??

Geoff

How much are you asking Geoff?

frankb · Aug 27, 2008

I had the same question coupled with the problem of a very (very) old USB 1 laptop.

I ended up with a Zoom H2 which records onto SD Cards or can be used as a USB mic. For me, it's a good solution and, as a bonus, is very portable.

If your PC is adequate and the additional functionality of the H2 or H4 isn't appealing then a decent USB mic and a free download of Audacity would probably be a good option.

Larn · Aug 29, 2008

Taz your not far off on the money pit (1968 TR250) always something to mess with but thats the fun of it. Will try along your method and if brave enough may post, don't know about the camcorder though! :w00t:

Larn.

Rogerb · Aug 29, 2008

I bought an H4 recorder about a year ago, but so far have been too daunted by the complexity of the instruction book to sit-down and figger it out 🙁

[What is a TR250?
I thought I knew all the sports cars from that era...I had a Renault R8 Gordini and a BMW 2002ti ....nearly got a couple of 2-seaters, but couldn't cope with the impracticality!
(My diesel Focus would see both of them off...that's progress!)]

frankb · Aug 30, 2008

The H2 has a much more intuitive interface. I didn't need the extra features of the H4... ...plus I'm cheap and lazy so it was quite an easy choice, really! 😉

Greywolf · Aug 31, 2008

I have a Zoom H4 which is great but the Zoom H2 which came out fairly recently is cheaper, smaller, less complicated and for just doing strraightforward recordings a better bet. I would definitely recommend one.

Several of my musician friends have the H2 and I sort of wish I hadn't bought the H4 when I did, but that was 2 or even 3 years ago now.

jazzzzz8 · Sep 1, 2008

The altimate way to record for now and to take you into the future has to be The Boss Range of home recording studios. Prices start at ?200 but for ?350 you can get a pro syatem BR1200CD. I have not the technicle knowlege with me but the sound is amazing. You can select jazz drum beats and improvise over scales and ii iv i chord progression till your hearts content. I have recorded some tracks I will post soon. Also put on your fav CD backing track and record to it. Do multiple coupies and give em to your mates. My friends thought I'd cheated it sounded that good.

Good luck

Larn · Sep 1, 2008

Rogerb wrote:
I bought an H4 recorder about a year ago, but so far have been too daunted by the complexity of the instruction book to sit-down and figger it out 🙁

[What is a TR250?
I thought I knew all the sports cars from that era...I had a Renault R8 Gordini and a BMW 2002ti ....nearly got a couple of 2-seaters, but couldn't cope with the impracticality!
(My diesel Focus would see both of them off...that's progress!)]

A Triumph TR250 is a carburettor version of the TR5 mainly for the USA due to their emissions laws.

Larn.

losaavedra · Sep 1, 2008

jazzzzz8 wrote:
The altimate way to record for now and to take you into the future has to be The Boss Range of home recording studios. Prices start at ?200 but for ?350 you can get a pro syatem BR1200CD.

Good luck

I've had a BOSS BR900CD for 3 years or so ... never regretted getting one as it's so straightforward to use and packed with useful features. Came with a 130 page manual. I haven't used it for sax yet but the early guitar stuff I did with it when I first got it is at:

http://www.soundclick.com/rojalesbluesband

I went for the BOSS, rather than the alternative 'do-it-on-the-computer' option, because its just so simple ... turn it on, select a track, hit record ... and off you go! Finally all the tracks making up the final tune can be mixed and dumped out to a CD if that's what you want. Great fun!

peedee · Sep 1, 2008

Larn wrote:
Hi all can anyone advise on what's the best way to record myself been playing about 18 months and would like to hear what I sound like :laugh:

Larn.

If you're not worried about the sound quality, get a Sony 'shoebox' cassette recorder from Argos for about 15 quid. Reproduction is awful, but at least you're not as bad as it sounds! Plug in a cheap mic instead of using the built in one and it may sound better!
Pete