I want to directly record on my PC
 

I heard that I can use my sansamp BDDI to record but I need help. Is there any free good recording programs. I've used garage band in high school but I don't have a Mac. I wAnt to know how to set up everything from my sansamp to the pc so i can record my bass.

The BDDI will get you a line-level signal, but you still need to get that signal into your computer. You can run it to the line-in of your soundcard (with an instrument cable and a 1/4" -> 3.5mm adapter) for now. If you stick with it then eventually you'll want a "real" audio interface, but the soundcard in the PC will generally be OK to start with.

On the software side, one of the best DAWs out there has an unrestricted free trial (and is incredibly reasonably priced). Start here:

http://www.reaper.fm

Be sure to get the Quick Start Guide and the big manual too. The first hour or two can be incredibly frustrating -- lots of new concepts and lingo to learn..

Thank you so much this is so useful

Get a mixer and get an M-audio sound card ... That will improve your pc recordings ...


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...I_Digital.html

Audacity is another free and easy to use program. If your shopping for an Interface, M audio Fast tracks work pretty good and can be had for 40ish bucks used.

Audacity! And make sure you turn the Stereo mix OFF on you sound control.

Any pedal or amp with a headphone jack
>>> use a 1/8" or 1/4" (whichever the headphone jack has) to RCA
>>>>Behringer UCA 202
>>>>>>USB on PC
>>>>>>>>use Audacity!!
VERY simple.

Great software.

I have a M audio Quattro USB INTERFACE but I don't know where to start. Is there more free programs?

Thank you all for replying

Just downloaded Audacity. In theory, I could plug this into the line-in Mic on my laptop, then plug my bass into an AUX cable via an adapter on one side and my iPod via an AUX cable on the other side. Is that correct? Then I could push "play" on my iPod and play along to tracks with my bass?

Why faff about with extra cables and ipods? Drop the audio file onto Audacity, create and arm a second track for your bass, and press record. The MP3 plays, the computer records what you play on your bass, and on playback they're in sync and you can adjust the relative levels, isolate your bass track, process it EQ and fx, etc...