Least expensive way to record to computer?

[Tony G]

I'd like to just record some bass lines and play them back for personal critique purposes, but have no idea how to get started, what gear I need, who can host them, etc... Any help would be appreciated.

[seamonkey]

Pick up a copy of Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
You should already have a mic input on your PC. You can record a passive bass into it. Or an active bass into the line in. The line in will be stereo, but you can just record on the left or right channel.

[hbarcat]

If you try to record with some budget mic into the sound card "mic" input the sound quality will be so bad as to be unusable. You can record into the "line in" in your computer sound card provided you match the impedence (you need "line level" impedence) by using the line out or pre-amp out (NOT speaker out!) on your bass amp and use adapters to make the cable go from the 1/4" mono out from the amp to the 1/8" stereo input on your sound card. Some amps have headphone outs and you may be able to use that as an alternative.


There are so many good pieces of software that are available that's it's impossible to pick one "best one" but you said you wanted cheap. You didn't say what type of computer you were using but Windows has a basic sound recorder built in and I assume that Mac and Linux do as well. I use "Goldwave" shareware a lot for simple recording and editing. It's a tiny but powerful Windows program that can be downloaded everywhere in just a few seconds.

http://www.goldwave.com/

[Papersen]

Software:
I´d suggest you to get a Multitrack editor software. I personally use Adobe Audition (FKA "Cool Edit Pro") and it´s pretty simple and user friendly.

I´ve found useful to lay a bass track over a drum pattern, or another bass track, it´s easier to analyze how your lines fit into a band context.

[mkrtu9]

I also use cool edit pro and it is easy to use. I use a regular computer mic and put it close to the cab. Sounds ok for something simple.

[BR Audio]

This may be the easiest way to go:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrackUSB/

You can use it with any software you like. Pick the easiest for you. Sonar, Cubase, Nuendo, DP, Logic.. whatever you want. I'm sure you can also find some freeware that will let you record a few tracks.

hope it helps
Gil

[Danimal00]

Originally Posted by xgabriel

I'd like to just record some bass lines and play them back for personal critique purposes, but have no idea how to get started, what gear I need, who can host them, etc... Any help would be appreciated.

Hi xgabriel,

You may want to also look at the new IK Multimedia StealthPlug.

http://www.amplitube.com/Main.html?prod_Stealth.php

I saw one Friday and it looks to be a very simple solution. From what I understand, it will come with a recording software (Tracktion 2.1) and a nice collection of plug ins.

Amplitube 2 Live
SpeedTrainer
T-RackS EQ
Sampletank 2SE
500MB of Guitar and Bass Loops and Drum Grooves from Sonic Reality

PM me for more information if you like.

Thanks,
Dan

[lug]

Bass->optional effects->converter (1/4 to 1/8)->sound card
plug into line in or mic in (whichever one is enabled, explained in a minute)
open start->programs->accessories->entertainment->sound recorder
select file->properties->convert now->and change attributes pull down to something decent (I use 16 kilobit, 16 bit, mono for a nice balance between size and sound quality) click ok, ok.
select edit ->audio properties->sound recording->volume
select input you are using (mic in or line in) You will go back here to adjust levels too.
go back two windows to first window and hit red button to record
watch level for flat spots on peaks of waveform (overdriving) and adjust level in previous window mentioned
you now have 1 min to rock the world
after you finish save as something (this is your wav file)
download a free wav to mp3 converter from the web and convert
post product to da clown
Accept the accolades from your fellow bassists (never happens for me, but maybe you will fair better!)

One extra trick. With no input, record 1 minute of dead silence, when it finishes, hi the record button again. this will add thirty seconds. Repeat until you have the amount of time you want. save this file as something like "blank.wav". When you want to record, call up this file instead of starting a new one and you can now record over the "blank.wav" file and have 3 min to rock the world. I use a Pandora, so I record a drum and bass line first. Then I play the resultant wav file back into the the CD input of the Pandora with Window Media Player and records a second part on top of it. I have some that are 3 layers deep, doesn't seem to hurt the sound quality much if at all.

It's easier to use Audacity and LAME together if you want to download and install them, they are both free.

[JMX]

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

[Bass]

Originally Posted by JMX

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

I couldn't agree more! I've been using Kristal for a couple years now, and find it to be very intuitive. I like the classic feel of the slider / dial controls.

I'm looking forward to Kristal 2 - it looks like it should be released soon, but it also looks like it'll be commercial. Kristal 1 is shareware (pay if you lilke it / use it).

[playmakerpr]

I also have a questions: I have a 1987 peavey microbass combo amp with a Spector Legend passive but with a preamp. I want to connect the headphone output of the amp to a soundcard into my computer, my concern is if I do that and plug it into the line in would that could cause that my soundcard burns up? Or it is a better idea to connect the bass directly to de soundcard? The fact is that I don't want to change the soundcard since it is very expensive. I wanted to hear music from my PC and play the bass along as practice and using my headphones I wont bother nobody. Later I want to record what I played to keep improving myself.

Thanks,

Mike

[Joe Nerve]

I picked up a zoom bt.1u which is a nifty little multi effects unit that doubles as a computer interface and comes bundled with cubase le. you can do a lot with all that and the price tag I think was around $200 or less.

[Tony G]

Thanks for all your great suggestions on this stuff! Out of all of it, I have to say that IK Multimedia StealthPlug is looking really cool for the money. I might have to put that down on my christmas list for Santa Claus this year....

[Spencer!]

Here's what I'm getting to record my band: Lexicon Alpha

It's $130, and it comes with Cubase for recording. I'm using a mixer and going stereo into it, so I only need 2 channels.

[RWP]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Pick up a copy of Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
You should already have a mic input on your PC. You can record a passive bass into it. Or an active bass into the line in. The line in will be stereo, but you can just record on the left or right channel.

This is a great free program, thanks for posting it.

[machine gewehr]

I'm using Groove Agent as the virtual drummer.What are the ways to record the drum patterns of it and my bass on it?Which programs would do such a thing.I have a few chops but can't record with thr drums.

Sorry to hijack the thread,but it would be usefull for you too.Thanks!

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Danimal00

Hi xgabriel,

You may want to also look at the new IK Multimedia StealthPlug.

http://www.amplitube.com/Main.html?prod_Stealth.php

I saw one Friday and it looks to be a very simple solution. From what I understand, it will come with a recording software (Tracktion 2.1) and a nice collection of plug ins.

Amplitube 2 Live
SpeedTrainer
T-RackS EQ
Sampletank 2SE
500MB of Guitar and Bass Loops and Drum Grooves from Sonic Reality

PM me for more information if you like.

Thanks,
Dan

That looks like a phenomenal deal. That price is less than Tracktion (which I own) costs by itself.

[csholtmeier]

$29 Behringer interface and Reaper (great shareware daw).

[Double E]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

I'm using Groove Agent as the virtual drummer.What are the ways to record the drum patterns of it and my bass on it?Which programs would do such a thing.I have a few chops but can't record with thr drums.

Sorry to hijack the thread,but it would be usefull for you too.Thanks!

I believe Audacity will do it. I know it can capture all your computer audio and I think it's capable of multi-tracking as well. I just haven't gotten of my butt and tried it.

Any input from Audacity users out there?

[j-bass-kreep]

I just connect my bass directly into the computer (my computer has an audio input) and I use audacity . It didn't cost me a cent and if you have a decent bass you can pull it off.