Help With Audacity Software

[bilbal]

Hey all. I recently started trying to get into recording. I downloaded and installed Audacity on my machine. While I'll know that there are probably tons of better software packages for recording and editing, I opted for it to get my feet wet because it's free and I thought it would be a decent starting point.

Is it possible to just get a decent, inexpensive USB mic (stereo) and proceed with it or what do you suggest I look in to? I basically just want to teach myself how all of this stuff works. Obviously I don't want to spend a bunch of cash (I don't have) before I decide if it's something I want to pursue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
b

[Birddog]

You can do a lot just with Audacity and with a USB mic, sure. I have Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro, a Tascam Neo 2488, and still find myself using Audacity fairly often because it IS simple to use.

Good luck!

[bilbal]

Yeah, I had fooled around with it a bit in the past and remembered how user friendly it was so it was my first thought when this all came to mind.

As I mentioned, I basically just want the ability to record rehearsals or whatever and enter into the whole editing thing. I also have a field recorder that I have been using but I want to have the the Audacity interface right on my laptop with a simple USB mic to go that direction as well. I guess it's just another way to do what I'm already doing but with the ability to do more and learn as I go.

Birdog, do you have any suggestions as far as a USB mic goes? What are you using with your Neo rig and is it USB? I looked at AMS and the Blue Mics Snowball package looks cool. With the USBs offered there, it seems to be a middle of the road item price-wise. I have zero knowledge of these types of mics and packages for them. I'm thinking the mic and it's software is all I need, correct?

Thank you Birddog, by the way, I appreciate your input!!!
b

[Birddog]

With the Tascam, I just use regular XLR mics. Shure SM57, or Sennheiser 609. Believe it or not, when I've recorded directly to the computer (I usually only use it for mixing / editing / fading now), I just used a regular mic, with an adapter down to 1/8 inch and directly into the mic jack on the computer! I didn't know any better at the time, about upgrading the sound card or USB mics or any of that, and I got great results.

You really can do it all very simply with surprising results.

Yes, the Neo is USB, and you can move files to and from your computer for backing up and editing, but it's a painfully slow process if you're working with any large sized project.

Oh, and I'm still not very familiar with USB mics, but I know that Guitarcenter.com has a bunch, with reviews. You could start there.

[bilbal]

Thanks much. You have helped big time. I'll go check out the GC reviews. As with everything else, there are sooooooo-friggin many options it's frustrating...but fun never-the-less.

thanks again,
b :)