Recording live for composers

[Thorolf]

Getting their live performances recorded, is generally a weak spot for classically slanted composers of today.

And believe me: What you learn from listening to your own works recorded live, is invaluable. So, if you want to improve, record a lot, both rehearsals and performances is good for finding out where the weak spots lie.

In general, you got two possible approaches to make this practical:

Buy a dedicated portable recorder, or use a laptop with a sound card.

Then of course you need mics: An x/y pair of cardioid condenser mics are always good, and gives the newbie best control, as you can just walk around and listen, and then let the mic pair be your “ears”, at the position where your head is when the balance and sound is right.

There is also the opportunity to drop the sound card and plug an USB mic like
http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...fm?prodID=1810
or use the built in mics with the portable solutions.

There are three entry-level quality stand-alone portable recorders out there to consider at the moment:
MicroTrack 24/96

Edirol R-09

and
Samson Zoom H4


As for laptop solutions, almost any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) will do: ProTools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Live, Digital Performer, Sonar, Tracktion, Ardour etc., as well as any simple recording program, like Deck, Peak or Amadeus for Mac.

Happy recording!



Regards

[reith]

Most interesting and thanks from me.

However, can you also recommend a "box" to connect to the laptop via usb2 that allows me to input any stereo line or mic source (with a mic power supply) AND monitor while recording (via headphones?). The laptop's soundcard is SigmaTel, doesn't let me monitor as I record.

It would have to be something that works with minimal fuss as I wouldn't have days on end to get it to work - sooner go with an edirol than all that - and I'd need to restore the computer to its signaTel thing so I don't have to carry this "box" around when just travelling.

I currently use Audacity for computer recording/editing and I suppose it's laziness that I can't guess the record level most times, but disconcerting after having a monitoring facility with harware.

Thanks if you can give it some thought.

Reith

[Thorolf]

^ For your specs, as well as budget pricing, I suggest that it doesn’t get much better than this:

M-Audio Fast Track Pro



Regards

[Boneman]

Great thread Thorolf I shall follow this regularly

[Jonty]

hi people,

What you don't mention here in this thread is the cost of each of the items you use for recording.

Any idea that this can be provided please?

[Thorolf]

There are indeed prices on some of the links, but as prices vary, I would google it for local variations. And it's just plain impossible to give a finite answer to "how much does a laptop cost?"

Regards

[Jonty]

Ok Thanks Thorolf,

Thought that might be the answer.

[reith]

Thanks for that, Thorolf. Looks like what I need. I'm pretty sure my local audio place sells it but doesn't have it on their site. They advertise other M-Audio products so let's hope!

Cheers

[Thorolf]

Originally Posted by reith

I'm pretty sure my local audio place sells it but doesn't have it on their site. They advertise other M-Audio products, so let's hope!

It’s the successor of M-Audio’s best-selling FastTrack USB, which they most certainly have, and will be able to order the Pro for you, anyway.

For making it work right out of the box, there was some initial problems when it was released, a little more than a year ago. If you have any problems, consult this thread, and you will most surely be relieved of them.



P. S. your posting activity has been noted here.

Regards

[Boneman]

Has anyone had any experience using wavepad or audicity?