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What do I need?

F

flakeh

Inactive
Apr 21, 2007
2,492
4
Ontario, Canada
#1
What do I need to record bass/guitar/other into a computer?

I can get software like fruityloops etc but like how do I get the instruments to plug into the computer. Basically what I am asking is, is there some kind of box that has instrument inputs, and then puts them into a computer via USB cable? What do I need to do that?

thanks for the help
 
#11
flakeh said:
I blame work ontop of my weight lifting program. I have work everyday form 6:15AM till 8AM, then school. then weight lifting from 3 till 5. I am pooched.
Click to expand...
:rollno:
You young whippersnappers...

My parents rented me to a coal mine for the night shift until I was 16. All night I'd haul rock and look forward to crawling 10 miles to school on my knees (so I didn't scuff the soles of my shoes giving my father a reason to beat me for, "Waisting my money boy!!"):bawl:

After all that, if I needed to look something up on Google I had to go to the library and find the Google book. Man is that thing heavy--and it was always on the top shelf.
 
#13
#14
MyUsernameHere said:
Oh well.

Perfection is like the image of a pearl at the bottom of a deep pond. One can recognize its glory through the water, but as soon as you reach for it the image shatters leaving nothing but a shimmering, unfulfilled promise and a wet shirtsleeve.

I am that noble shirtsleeve.:D
Click to expand...

forget the wet shirt sleeve, I'm going to take a rock to weigh me down and go after that pearl.
 
#15
As for the original question. Yes there is a USB interface.

But the best news is that everything you need is right there in front of you most likely.

If your computer has sound it most likely has a Line Input and Mic Input. Head down to your local Radio Shack, or the likes, get you some connectors that convert 1/4" to 1/8", plug something in (a non-amplified signal-something line level from a DI, aux outputs from a amp, mixer from an old 4-track, small mixer, or the likes), open up the sound control panel and fiddle with it until you figure out how to monitor what coming in, then find some software to record with and you're set. Some headphones of some sort will also come in handy for listening to playback and recording the next part.

If you've already got the computer with a soundcard (or onboard sound) you can spend less that $20 bucks and be doing better 4 track recordings than I was 20 years ago. You'll be limited to the stereo input (2 channels) of the sound card but who cares for doing your first simple one man band home recordings.

Search these forums for Audacity and you'll get a sampling of what programs you can find online.

It's best to start simple and build from there. So learn how to use what's on your computer before complicating the situation with recording gear. The education you get from doing this will make you a much more informed buyer when you decide to up the quality of your gear.

Some very impressive recordings were made on Soundblaster 16s when there was little else to chose from.
 

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