Recording with my setup?

grifff · #1 08-07-2009, 05:16 PM

I'd like to be able to plug directly into my sound card because I hear it's one of the easiest and best ways to record. The thing is, I don't know how to plug into my sound card. I have a Sony Vaio FW series laptop with these inputs/outputs:

Headphone Jack
Microphone Input
HDMI Output
VGA Output
i.LINK connector
3 USB 2.0 ports

I know that several of those things are useless, but I'm really clueless here. I heard that recording through the microphone input sounds like absolute **** and that I should avoid it completely. I'm leaning towards doing something with the USB ports, but I don't know what I would need to record my bass through the USB.

My amp has an XLR direct out, and my bass is passive. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Foamy · #2 08-07-2009, 05:18 PM

I use a Monster cable - they make one for the Mac, it's white. But it goes directly into the mic input on my MacBook Pro. I'd guess that it'd work for your laptop too.
Or, you can get (on craigslist, used) a USB interface for probably $20-30.

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=2440

VroomVroom · #3 08-07-2009, 05:23 PM

I'd strongly recommend a USB audio interface. I use the M-Audio Fastrack USB, although there are certainly many others out there. With that, you can use the DI-out on your amp and I think you'll be much more pleased with the result than simply going from your bass to the mic input on your laptop.

grifff · #4 08-07-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

I'd strongly recommend a USB audio interface. I use the M-Audio Fastrack USB, although there are certainly many others out there. With that, you can use the DI-out on your amp and I think you'll be much more pleased with the result than simply going from your bass to the mic input on your laptop.

Do you like the M-Audio? I have no experience with this type of thing. I don't mind learning how to use it.

VroomVroom · #5 08-07-2009, 06:36 PM

I do - for my needs, which are very, very basic, it's a good solution. I only use the 'Session' software that came with it, so I can't speak to how - or if - it works with other packages. Now that M-Audio has stable versions of both the drivers and the application, I've got no complaints and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. For $100, and again for my requirements, it's a fine product. Here are some samples...

Demos of my Lakland and Sadowsky basses against a drum loop.

A little Latin deal with my Roscoe sixer - using the canned samples in the 'Session' software.

All three were recorded via instrument > Radial JDI > M-Audio Fastrack > laptop.

grifff · #6 08-08-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

I do - for my needs, which are very, very basic, it's a good solution. I only use the 'Session' software that came with it, so I can't speak to how - or if - it works with other packages. Now that M-Audio has stable versions of both the drivers and the application, I've got no complaints and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. For $100, and again for my requirements, it's a fine product. Here are some samples...

Demos of my Lakland and Sadowsky basses against a drum loop.

A little Latin deal with my Roscoe sixer - using the canned samples in the 'Session' software.

All three were recorded via instrument > Radial JDI > M-Audio Fastrack > laptop.

Thanks for the samples, that will really help.

My needs are also pretty basic, and I'll have to wait to get off my laptop to hear those samples through some decent speakers. I'm going to be using Audacity because I'm moderatly familiar with the program. What's the Radial JDI do?

EDIT: Nevermind, I just googled it and found out what it was. So instead of me using a DI box, I would just be using the DI from my amp?

Foamy · #7 08-08-2009, 12:33 PM

Musician's Friend's Stupid Deal of the Day has something that may suit your needs.

grifff · #8 08-10-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foamy

Musician's Friend's Stupid Deal of the Day has something that may suit your needs.

Ahh, I missed it. What was it?

Bardley · #9 08-10-2009, 02:18 PM

You just need a USB audio interface. There are many to choose from at all price points. Shop around and read reviews. Buy used if you have to.

grifff · #10 08-10-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bardley

You just need a USB audio interface. There are many to choose from at all price points. Shop around and read reviews. Buy used if you have to.

How would I sync it up with video? Just use Windows Movie maker or something like that?