When picking a device to record from, make sure you’ve set up all the connections properly, such as plugging a microphone in to the Mic Input, and any other device in to the Line In of your sound card. Then check that the gain level knob(the amount by how much the input should be amplified) of the mixer of your soundcard is set right.

Since most soundcards can mix the inputs back in to the outputs, the easiest way to test your microphone is to speak in to it while playing with your sound card mixer. The sound card mixer is a piece of software either provided by the sound card maker, or by the operating system you’re using. The Windows mixer is pretty straight forward, though some soundcards bring their own along. The Mac’s mixer is controlled via the Sound Control Panel, and the Linux users have a variety of mixer applications at their disposal. Just make sure they work before yelling at your screen that nothing works.

Click on the red Record button to begin recording.

Click on the blue Pause button to pause the recording. Press it again to continue.

Click on the yellow Stop button to cease recording. The cursor will return to its previous position, before the recording was started.

Wav files can get rather large. And the other downfall of having so many programs is: It will break you. If you are like me, you won’t have the budget to buy all the newest programs, because they are not cheap to own. I only use three programs. I’ve had plenty of friends say, “Man you need to try this program” or “a new program just came out and I think you need to really try it out.”

I fell for that for a while but soon found out that they all get the job done. True, some had a few cooler bells and whistles than others, but I found myself not using hardly any of those cooler bells. Remember, the simpler the program, the faster and more efficient the program will work for you. OK, the first program we are going to look at is Audacity. Audacity is free. You can download it here.

If you do not have the money for software, this is not a cheesy free program. It is a nice little prize for free. Read on if you want to know what it can do.

Audacity can record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or digitize recordings from cassette tapes, vinyl records, or minidiscs. With some sound cards, it can also capture streaming audio.

• Record from microphone, line input, or other sources.
• Dub over existing tracks to create multi-track recordings.
• Record up to 16 channels at once (requires multi-channel hardware).
• Level meters can monitor volume levels before, during, and after recording.

Import and Export

Import sound files, edit them, and combine them with other files or new recordings. Export your recordings in several common file formats.

• Import and export WAV, AIFF, AU, and Ogg Vorbis files.
• Import MPEG audio (including MP2 and MP3 files) with libmad.
• Export MP3s with the optional LAME encoder library.
• Create WAV or AIFF files suitable for burning to CD.
• Import and export all file formats supported by libsndfile.
• Open raw (headerless) audio files using the “Import Raw” command.
• Note: Audacity does not currently support WMA, AAC, or most other proprietary or restricted file formats.

Editing

• Easy editing with Cut, Copy, Paste, and Delete.
• Use unlimited Undo (and Redo) to go back any number of steps.
• Very fast editing of large files.
• Edit and mix an unlimited number of tracks.
• Use the Drawing tool to alter individual sample points.
• Fade the volume up or down smoothly with the Envelope tool.

Effects

• Change the pitch without altering the tempo, or vice-versa.
• Remove static, hiss, hum, or other constant background noises.
• Alter frequencies with Equalization, FFT Filter, and Bass Boost effects.
• Adjust volumes with Compressor, Amplify, and Normalize effects.
• Other built-in effects include:
  • Echo
  • Phaser
  • Wahwah
  • Reverse

On the next blog I’ll give you tips on how to use this. Until then, go download the program and install it, and take a look at it.

It sounds like a complicated piece of equipment, but that is not the case at all. You can get one at Musicians Friend too. It’s what I use and I couldn’t be any happier. The guitar effects are great and easy to use. It plugs right into your computer with a USB cord.

Look up the full details at http://line6.com/store/

Next we will get started on the software.

Well if you are going to use only a mic, with no mixer, you will need to use the mic input, and you might need an adapter from Radio Shack to make the mic end small enough to fit in the input hole. Of course if you have a very cheap mic from Walmart, the size should be all right.

I know how it is not having the money for anything better, but I hope you didn’t go the Walmart way. If you did, I’ll cover on how to help the quality of those cheap mics later. Now if you have a mixer you are going to want to use the line in for your input selection. If you need to know how to do this, I will be working on a video covering all the cords needed and a step by step instruction on how to connect it all.

Now if you are going to use instruments, like a guitar or bass, you can use your guitar amp if it has a headphone output. You can use that output to plug into your computer. You can also plug your mic into the amp if you have no mixer. It won’t be the best thing to do, but if you do not have an adapter handy for your mic, it’s the way to go.

Next, I’ll tell you some good hardware options, if you have a little money to spend. Then I’ll get busy with the software that could change your mind about wasting money on a studio session.

What am I out to gain? I want to be able to record very good stable recordings to put on CDs that I can sell at the gigs where I play. I’m doing that today. And the best part? I can record anytime I’m ready without the worry of booking studio time or wondering if I’ll have the money to do it with because, I run the studio myself. I can tell you how to do this on a low budget.

And if you own the computer that you are viewing this on… you are already halfway there. The computer is the most expensive part of the process, so if you already own it, part of the payload is done. In each blog I will cover each software that can be used. I will tell you the pros and cons, and tell you the best way to get the best results. Don’t worry, you won’t have to be a pro to get good results in your recordings.