Cheap Computer Setup, What Interface?

[Josh O]

Santa brought me a new PC for Xmas. I plan on bringing my current PC into my little guitar studio and putting it to good use. It's a pretty powerful machine itself and has DVD-R, ports up the yinger, etc. I already have a Boss DR-3 drum machine that I run into an inexpensive Behringer Eurodesk mixer and I run the output of that into my Kenwood stereo setup, i.e. my poor man's monitor system. What's the most inexpensive way of getting my mixer into my PC and what's out there for cheap, maybe even freeware, recording software?

[tedm]

I think you can find an audigy 2zs w/ wdm and asio drivers with cardbus interface w 2 line inputs that does 24/96 (x2) for about $39 on buy.com. Next would be some firewire or usb thing. if usb, go usb 2.0 if possible.

[coreybox]

I've gotten good results with the maudio firewire 410. It has two analog inputs (mic/instrument pre-amps or line level) that can be used together, which would work well taking the stereo outs of your mixer. It also has lots of options for outputs, either monitors or headphones. I'm actually selling it right now, PM me if you are interested ($200).

How much are you wanting to spend? Under $500? Under $200? The price will limit your options fast, but there is alot of great affordable stuff out there. Others here are much more experienced than i and will have some other suggestions.

I think audacity is an ok freeware program.

take care
corey

[David R]

EMU 0404

http://www.midweststereo.com/catalog/Screen=PROD&Store_Code=midweststereo&Product_Code=EMU0404

[Josh O]

I just remembered that my old PC (it's a Sony) has a set of RCA audio in jacks. Of course, I've never used them before in the three years I've had this computer and the owners manual doesn't really get into what they are used for, what software links up them, etc. I'm wondering if I can run the output of the mixer into the input of those jacks, hope that some recording software will pick up that interface and then run my audio out of my computer into the aux in of my stereo receiver?

[GuitslingerTim]

There's a lot of talk about a freeware (?--shareware?) program called Reaper.

Don't get a Soundblaster/Audigy card, spend a few more bucks and get something with decent converters and drivers. M-audio and Echo are good places to start.

[ultrevex]

The Sony's rca in jacks will most certainly pass audio into your PC, any recording program should see it as the 'legacy' audio in device, if it is the only one installed. Have a look at your control panel settings. As to the audio quality, feed it some and record it! Yes, Reaper is a superb audio program with free versions still available. Audacity is fine for simple stereo recording/editing. Yes, you can simply wire the rca in/outs as you describe and you should be able to record and monitor fine.... careful of feedback loops.

I have a firewire stereo audio interface from Behringer.... works flawlessly, sounds very clean. $79. They make a little usb bus powered one with rca in/out..... $29. I imagine it would sound just fine. You may not need to upgrade at all.

[Josh O]

Currently, I'm using a Behringer UB1202 mixer and I have the main outs going to my stereo setup for monitoring, mainly to hear my Boss DR-3. I also have my Shure SM-57 hooked up ready to roll. My plan for the time being, assuming it works with my computer, is to keep the main outs going to my stereo for live monitoring. Then, run the Tape Output jacks (RCA) from the Behringer to my RCA jacks on my Sony Computer for the input to whatever software I end up using. I'll then send the line out jack (1/8") of my Sony to the Tape Input jacks on my Behringer so I can listen to the recorded playback through my stereo as I don't even have speakers for this computer. Assuming I have no loop problems (according to the Behringer manual, I won't have loop problems if I use the Tape to Control Room feature), in theory this should all work for the price of a 1/8" to RCA cable and software. I might skip the whole Tape to Control Room thang and buy a cheap pair of computer speakers.

As far as software goes, it looks like Reaper is time limited and then a license needs to be purchased. They say a non-commercial license is $39.99 I used to use Cakewalk Guitar Tracks 2 a few years ago and I still have the CD but unfortunately it does not work on Windows XP machines so that does me no good. This had more than enough of what I needed. I just want the ability to record stuff in a multitrack fashion and turn it into mp3, I don't need any crazy plug-ins, effects, etc. Any other things to look at? It looks like the current Cakewalk offering is Guitar Pro 3 which is $100.00. I saw where an old version of Pro Tools was available for free download but it's only good for Windows 98/ME.

I guess I'm trying to stay on the ultimate cheap as I'm really only going to be using this to record some rough tracks/ideas for our band, I don't even do any recording right now so I'm trying to use as much I have currently available to me right now. Thanks everyone for the help.

[ultrevex]

The free versions( ending in 0.99) are there, you have to dig:

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download-old-0x.php

Find version .99, install, wire and tell us what you come up with.

[Josh O]

cool man, thanks

[kingsxman]

You sound just like me. I'm going to get back into doing some recording after not doing anything for 3 years. I have a Behringer mx602 for a mixer. I run my POD into that and was looking for some way to get the output to my computer. On my old computer I just ran into the stock sound card. It worked but wasnt great. I went out today and bought a Emu-404 as someone else had mentioned. It'll be interesting to have a few more options. I plan on running the main outs on the beringher to the 1/4 inch inputs on the emu-104. Left and right. Cool. I have a copy of Guitar Tracks 2 and also Cakewalk Home Studio (forget the version) but from abuot 3 years ago. I just use it for screwing around.

I have a cd of drummer samples that I used to use for drum tracks. Then I would lay down a bass line and put guitar over it. I'm excieted to see the difference a real sound card like the EMU makes. Its very confusing however as it looks like the EMU comes with some software of some sort that allows you to do some processing. I dont know how this all fits together..but I'll hopefully figure it out. Finding time is the biggest issue.

[Josh O]

Here's a quick update, didn't get too far but I've finally been able to get the mixer into the computer. The RCA jacks didn't work out, they appear to be part of the video card and I think they are only good for connecting something a VCR or video camera to record audio and video. I ended up running the Tape Out of the mixer to the 1/8" line into my sound card and voila, my drum machine was coming through at a precent decent sound quality, a little tweaking of the EQ on the mixer and it sounded great. Haven't gotten any recording software yet, may either try Reaper or I might just buy Cakewalk Guitar Pro 3. Anyways, I used good old Microsoft Sound Recorder just to try it. Sound quality on playback was pretty degraded. Sounded nothing at all like it did when running live through the sound card. I guess my big question is, is that the limitation of the Sound Recorder program and it will be rectified by using a good recording software package or will I get this same type or degraded recording using a much better software package and this is a sign that I need a better interface?