newbie trying to get into computer based recording

[subhashls]

Hi,

My dad is a singer, and I am trying to come up with a semi-professional way for him to record his songs on the computer.

Just to give some background information, he is an Indian singer, and all the songs he would record would be karaoke tracks, so, the only two inputs would be the CD with the track, and one or two microphones.

Right now, he has a Vocopro Gigmaster unit which he got, and I outputting from that to the ADS InstantMusic interface to send it to my laptop via USB. I am using Wavelab 4 for recording.

The biggest problem is that I cannot control the volume of the recording coming in, and it is incredibly loud. The voice clips out and has a bad metallic sound to it.

Also, he is looking for something that he can operate with a little more independence. He is not computer savvy, and the only time he can record if is I am there.

Basically, I am looking for a more professional way of recording his songs. I am new at all of this, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Subhash

[bob anderson]

Are you importing the tracks off the kareoke cds, or through the audio "in" on the computer?

If it's importing direct off the cd, wave lab has all kinds of "normalize volumes" and dynamic compressors, which will solve your problem.

If you are coming in analogue, you need to adjust the record input level on the computer until you get it worked out right. (start/settings/control panel/sounds and audio devices... under windows xp)


Hope this helps,

Bob Anderson

[subhashls]

Hi Bob,

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, the interface I am using does not have any settings that can be controlled.

When I try to see the recording controls for the device in Control Panel, it just shows nothing. The same things happens when I try to press the "Mixer" button in WaveLab.

Right now, I am getting the karaoke track and the vocal track as one mixed input.

Do you know of any good quality audio interfaces I could purchase that would be better? I am trying to find a better way of recording the songs.

Thanks again. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Subhash

[subhashls]

No thoughts at all? Does anyone have any advice on what might be a good interface to purchase for my particular needs?

I would appreciate any thoughts!

Thanks,

Subhash

[tech1]

The PreSonus FireBox would be a good choice. It has 2 mic preamps and 2 line-levels input for a CD player's output. But really, any similar interface, provided it has enough channels, should work. Call and talk to a Sales Engineer to discuss it a bit more, and also to go over specs and compatibility with your computer.

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764516345/102-9059220-3248917?v=glance&n=283155&amp%3Bn=507846&amp%3Bs=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html


Plenty of software around to record for free to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com

Be sure to get that on-board soundcard (at best $1 worth of chips) replaced:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

[subhashls]

Thanks to both of you for your reply. I will definitely start with a couple of books, and continue from there!

Subhash

[neorican]

I am attempting to do the same thing ---Record via karaoke and then turn into a CD--

Instead of the computer alone , I bought a DGX- 109 ACESONIC KARAOKE player which you can sing with KARAOKE CDG or VCD and record your voice on it it - all on to an SD card ---
Which you can then convert to Mp3 with your computer and finally to a wave form on a CD-- All a lot easier to do , I believe than what you are doing -- The machine costs $179 at Acekaraoke and it;s well wort the money -- The quality is excellent --- The Mics that come with it are basic and I am looking for something better-

This is the first machine of it's kind, I believe

Hope this helps -----Ralph