Recording Guitar To PC

gizmo

Right so with my new PC up and running I think its time to start recording some guitar. Now, I have the appropriate software for the task - Cubase, Amplitube etc... but as for hardware I'm not 100% sure what to go for. I was looking at the M-Audio products but I'm not really sure what I need in so far as inputs and features so any advice on what to look for would be appreciated...

The only thing I really know I want is a mobile device, either Firewire or USB really, whichever. I'm guessing a sample rate of 24-bit/96kHz is best but is there THAT much of an improvement over 16-bit/48kHz? Bearing in mind also this isnt designed for pro recording or anything, just me messing about at home.

feylya

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_artikel-185335.html

gizmo

Woah....€474?? :eek:

Thats alot for just messing about at home...any other suggestions?

kennier

My brother used an M-Audio Ozone I think and a shure mic to record from an acoustic. He was only messing about but made some pretty cool tracks. You can mess about on the ozone keyboard to get some mad sounds...really great for spending hours messing around. Pretty easy to use. I think that they go for about €200-ish (£120stg) on eBay.

Just my 2 cents (know next to nothing about recording except that this yoke was cool to put down backing, etc)

mdreeling

Ideally you'll want a low latency (or close to zero latency) sound card for recording you instrument, The latency is the time in milliseconds from hitting the string to it appearing it cubase or whatever youlre recording into.

I Use Guitar->BossGX700PreAmp->MAudio44-Input1->CubaseSX2

The MAudio-44 for €149 is the sound card and a "4 In, 4 Out" breakout box, Any old preamp will do if you are just messing about.

I use to have the sound blaster like yourself, but i took it out to get a lower latency.

You CAN get low latency drivers for the Sound Blasters but they are troublesome sometimes.

Hope this helps!

Mick

Kenny_D

I was gonna suggest what Feylya did.

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_digidesign_mbox_usb_audio_prodinfo.html

Thats what I have and its fantastic and very easy to use

Eoin Madsen

For what you want to do the MBox is a waste of money, imo. I'd say go with something M-Audio. Are you planning to mic a guitar or plug a guitar into the box? If the latter, you'll need something with an Instrument Input as opposed to a Line or Mic input. If you're planning on using a mic then you need a Mic Input (obviously ). For messing about at home the 44.1kHz/16bit vs 96kHz/24bit will make shag-all difference (quality of converters is more important than rates anyway).

Latency should only be a problem if you're monitoring simultaneous playback of the signal. Monitor your signal input instead and it won't matter. I used to do recordings with a card latency of 500ms.

danmcn

Tascam do a decent range too, the older versions can be really good value, especially on ebay. I got a Tascam US122 for 150euro 6 months ago and its got great sound for the price.

http://musical-instruments.search.ebay.ie/tascam_Pro-Audio-Equipment_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR8QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ15197

DiamondJQuimby

I have a Tascam US-122 also and have never had a problem with it.

Great Sound from the recordings with Two inputs it should do the trick for what you are recording.

Saw these a while back not sure what they are like though. Have all of the effects in Software though.

Might be decent Line 6 make quality products.

Also check out some of the reviews up there.

http://www.soundonsound.com/news?NewsID=7822

Paladin

If you are only messing about may I suggest an alternative:
The zoom Palmtop Studio (2002 version) - PS02.
You plug your guitar in. Set up a guitar effect (it has hundreds, chorus, amp models, distortion etc.).
Set up the built in drum track to whatever style, rock, jazz, straight 4/4 etc.
Press record and play.
Want a rythym bass and lead track? It has 3 channels for mixing. You can then 'bounce' these together and put down more lead or whatever. (Built in bass available also but that sucks).
It has a built in mic for vocal recordings (and vocal effects) or for recording acoustic guitar.
I have one and it is so cool. Got it for $60 on ebay. Cannot believe the amount of things it does. You can see the new version on Thomann but thats way too expensive in my opinion. See the link for the PS02 on ebay and buy it!

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_zoom_ps04_4spur_multitrackrecorder_prodinfo.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS-02-PALMTOP-STUDIO-MULTI-TRACK-RECORDER_W0QQitemZ7352742222QQcategoryZ15199QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

gizmo

I'd prefer to have the option to go direct or use a mic so I guess having both inputs would be a bonus... Trying to keep the price down since I'm planning on getting a Vetta Combo at some point in the nearish future...