Recording Rehearsals

[JazzyFunkyKool]

Hey guys,

I am a complete and utter noob at recording.

I want to be able to record my band's rehearsals.

I have a powerbook mac with the old garageband on it. I also am borrowing my friends MBOX interface with 2 inputs.

however, when I tried to record tonight, i couldn't get anything to record.

what would be the easiest, least painless way of recording our rehearsals to either my mac or a pc notebook?

these recordings will be 2-3 mics max and will be used strictly for writings, arrangement purposes.

any help/advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Antero]

Er, do you have any mics? That's a good help ;)

I recorded my band's rehearsals and shows with an MBox and a pair of Naiant MSH-1 (http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/microphones.html) omni condenser mics, which were about the most useful gadget I ever dropped cash on.

[igloo0213]

You can only use the MBOX if you also have a copy of Pro Tools. Digidesign's hardware and software are designed to only work with each other.

[JazzyFunkyKool]

so if we start from the beginning without my previous setup or problems, what would be the best option for recording rehearsals

[Tallhorses]

I use basically the same setup but I use a PC. The Mbox needs it's version of Protools LE which you can probably get on the Digidesign website cheap or free. (The Mbox comes with Protools LE) It can be a little quirky and you've got to learn a little about Protools. I bounce tracks the next day and post mp3's to a rehearsal site online for everyone to download. You coudl just as easily bounce tracks after rehearsal and hand out CD's.

IBM P4 2 GB ram
Windows XP
Mbox w/ProToos
2 x Rodes NT5 stereo mics

[clothwiring]

If you want real basic you can get a XLR > USB cable and then use garageband to record. Then just throw a 58 or 57 out there...if you want more you'll need a few mics and use the mbox and protools. Million ways to go...cheapest probably would be to get that cable.

[tedzepplin]

Record with a Zoom H2 and transfer it to the computer.

[jehza8]

I'm sorry, but it is inaccurate that you need protools to use the MBox. I've used my old one just fine with Logic, Live, Garageband, and other programs.

Most likely, you simply need to configure the audio I/O in garageband to be coming from the Mbox.

[orogeny]

Most likely, you simply need to configure the audio I/O in garageband to be coming from the Mbox.

What he said. The mbox is your in and your out. . . . find out how to tell your software. . . .

Sorry, but i can't help with THAT part.

Someone SHOULD be able to step up on that end though.

[franksguitar]

I agree the Zoom H2 is great for practice since you only really need 2 tracks and can upload to computer for MP3's and sounds great. Plus you can just stick it in your gig bag and not have to carry a bunch of stuff. Unless you are recording for discreet individual tracks and miking everything for mixdown then you need a multitrack setup.

[bdegrande]

Zoom H2. Has front and back mics, you can stick it in the center of the room and capture everything.

[mrmega]

Zoom h2 for sure.