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Starting from scratch

Macch5

Macch5

Nov 8, 2014
84
63
50
Hudson Valley
#1
What would i need to start recording bass tracks? I have no recording gear. I don’t even have a computer. But with all my gigs gone I’d like still be able to make music with people. Is it foolish to try and buy it all and figure it out at the same time? Would I be spending a lot of money just to get started?
 
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#2
Not at all foolish--just need a few components, really. Here would be my suggestion:

Most any standard mac, pc, or linux desktop or laptop these days can work as a recording environment (not a Chromebook). Doesn't have to be an expensive machine. For basic recording, it just needs to have usb connectivity for your audio interface, and you can use free or nearly free DAW software and do just fine.

Here's a simple guide:

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Keep in mind that you don't even need to get studio monitors at first, if you pick up a decent set of closed-back headphones.

Oh, and if you are only recording bass--you don't need to bother with mics, either!
 
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#4
You certainly don't need to spend a fortune to get started. Let us know your budget, and we can provide some recommendations for you. There will be a learning curve with whatever option you chose – unfortunately, there's no way around that.

skwee said:
Here's a simple guide:

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Click to expand...
Excellent reference for a newbie – that's one of better online guides I've seen lately.

I've gotta agree that if one is already an iPhone user, GarageBand + iRig is probably the easiest, cheapest way to go. However, since the OP mentioned wanting to make music with other people, the lack of a computer could pose a potential obstacle. The native GarageBand exporting format is AIF, which produces huge files that can't be shared easily over a cell phone connection.
 
#6
I would absolutely get a computer. Get a cheap one if cost is an issue. I bet there's lots of people trying to sell used ones on Craig's List right now. If you can afford new, you can really get a lot of computer these days in the $500-$1000 range. If you're feeling really flush, order yourself one of those brand new 27" iMacs. Feel free to PM me if you need help determining what's the best bet for your budget and skill level. I've been working in technology for 20 years.

Whatever you get, you'll need software. Apple computers come with a freebie called GarageBand. Another low cost option is Reaper. It's a free trial and it only costs $60 should you decide to keep using it. I'm learning how to use it right now so I went ahead and paid up.

So. Computer. Software. Then you'll need a USB interface to get audio into your computer. I got a cheap used one off Ebay for about $60. It has one 1/4-inch input for guitar, and one XLR input for a microphone. Your mileage may vary, but I went ahead and ordered myself a cheap mic and a boom stand and even a pop filter. I'm not much of a singer, but these are desperate times. Besides, I could use that mic to record my cajon or my acoustic guitar, too.
 
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#7
I have used recording software since the mid 90's. Recording software, even Garage band somewhat, have a pretty steep learning curve. However, you are living in an age where you can always get an answer almost immediately. It wasn't always like that. I am just stating this to prepare you. My advice, don't get bogged down with what the recording software can do just press play and record. There is so much info about VST's, mixing, recording levels, compression, mastering etc. People get so overwhelmed with the tech that they end up recording nothing. I work with a guitar player who does just this.

Good luck and check in with us. I think somebody here can direct you in the right direction.
 
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#8
Speaking of people who don't know how to do this stuff... Last night I downloaded an unmastered track from Endless Blue Labs (our band's studio). It's vocals, guitar, and some kind of drum track that they threw in. They wanted me to record my own bass part, here at Isolation Station (aka my apartment). So I plugged my bass into my USB interface, USB into my trusty MacBook Air, into my freshly downloaded Reaper, and...

For starters I can't figure out why my bass isn't stereo. It ends up playing in just my right ear. And it's just got the single meter instead of two, like the track they gave me does. I can't figure it out, so I forge ahead and record just on one side. I do a couple of takes, figure out what I want to play, and then I get a take I like. I solo my part and export it as a WAV file.

I send my bass part. They like my composition quite a bit! But they say it's a bit "lumpy" and could I please run it through my pedal board which has an always-on compressor?
 
#9
there should be a button on the Reaper track your bass is on to switch it to stereo .. or at least dual mono L and R. It looks like this in Reaper:
images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcSqrnRKdMNJWFJQuNNIgMIdouG3OPrrp4tzKhGnngDw3Vcw7S4P&usqp=CAU.jpg
 
#11
Can't they add compression on their end? I only say this because coloring a signal to tape is not ideal.

I don't use Reaper but that is odd you can't hear it in both ears. If it was recorded as a mono track it should be center in the mix and you should be able to hear it . Maybe the input was set to stereo in 1/2 rather than just stereo? When you exported the track could you hear your bass in L and R?
 
#12
Thanks for getting me started guys. So if I want to play along with an mp3, and record my voice, and my bass along with the mp3 that's on my hard drive, how many inputs do I need on the Audio Interface? One for the mic, one for the bass, but does the mp3 need a separate input?
 
#13
eagle67 said:
Thanks for getting me started guys. So if I want to play along with an mp3, and record my voice, and my bass along with the mp3 that's on my hard drive, how many inputs do I need on the Audio Interface? One for the mic, one for the bass, but does the mp3 need a separate input?
Click to expand...

I do this a lot. The studio sends me an mp3 file. I drag and drop it into my DAW and it's track 1. No input needed. Then you make an input for your bass and record it as track 2. Then do track 3 for your mic and record that.
 
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#14
scottfeldstein said:
I do this a lot. The studio sends me an mp3 file. I drag and drop it into my DAW and it's track 1. No input needed. Then you make an input for your bass and record it as track 2. Then do track 3 for your mic and record that.
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That is a perfect answer Scott. (And the one I was hoping for). So the Audio Interface that I need to buy only has to have a mic input, and one Instrument input for my bass. And when I'm all set up, can I record my singing and bass simultaneously? I'm real new at this, can you tell :)
 
#16
eagle67 said:
That is a perfect answer Scott. (And the one I was hoping for). So the Audio Interface that I need to buy only has to have a mic input, and one Instrument input for my bass. And when I'm all set up, can I record my singing and bass simultaneously? I'm real new at this, can you tell :)
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I'm not that experienced, myself! My USB interface has one instrument input and one mic input and I think they can both be used at the same time. But there's no reason to do that if I don't want to. I would probably prefer to play my instrument, record that, and then record a vocal track after. It's easier than doing two things at once. Might get better performances doing them separately.
 
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#17
One advantage to recording bass and vocals separately is that the ambient sounds of playing the bass won’t bleed into the vocal track. Also, when tracking bass alone you can do it with or without headphones. Vocal tracking pretty much requires headphones in most cases.
 
#18
scottfeldstein said:
I do this a lot. The studio sends me an mp3 file. I drag and drop it into my DAW and it's track 1. No input needed. Then you make an input for your bass and record it as track 2. Then do track 3 for your mic and record that.
Click to expand...
I also am just starting on this. My DAW doesn't recognize mp3s (I'm using Presonus StudioOne). May I ask what DAW you are using? I have to find one that will work with mp3.s Thanks in advance.
 

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