I did a search using "computer" and didn't find this specific info, if it is redundant then don't read it, or sys administrator please delete.
The following is just for those who don't know how to hook up their "PC" computer for recording. I'm sure most do, but for those who don't it may help eliminate some frustration: You could send me a PM
but I am both delinquent and irresponsible and being such, of course I assume no responsibility. Mess with it at your own risks.
Regardless of which mixing program you use this covers the basic hardware setup to connect an external device/mixer/amplifier/microphone to your computer sound card. What you need is an amplifier or microphone of some sort, even most patch boxes would work for this, like the Zoom G2, micro cube, or some sort of mixer. A computer with a decent grade sound card. For good quality it should be able to record 44100 Hz stereo. It should have a "line in" and microphone ports, most decent ones do. You will need a cord with a stereo split of some kind to record in stereo. When I say stereo plug I mean the real small ones like you use for MP3 player headphones, which should be obvious because most sound cards don't have 1/4" jacks. Most music equipment sites have these as so does Best Buy, Radio Shack etc. I use a stereo plug to separate RCA adapters on the output for my mixer. Obviously if your microphone uses an XLR jack and/or requires phantom power, then you'll need something to power and convert it first. Unless you have some sort of specialized sound card, most do not have that ability.
With the power OFF ON BOTH THE COMPUTER AND EXTERNAL DEVICE, plug the external device you are going to use into the appropriate port of the sound card. Microphones, into "microphone", amplifiers/mixers into "line in". Once the device is plugged in then turn on JUST THE COMPUTER, Leave the power OFF on the external device for now.
The basic setup for windows:
In XP:
Double click your volume speaker in your system tray and, the mixer should pop up. Click on the "options" tab then click on "properties". Playback devices should be displayed, click on the recording or recording devices, I forget the exact name. Anyway here you can select your recording sources, the ports you will use. In some cases you can't record "line In" and "Microphone" at the same time. After you select your recording devices click apply or OK whichever, I forget it's been a while. You should now be looking at a mixer with several volume sliders. The microphone usually has an extra little button on it that you can click, I think it says "options". In most cases this is to turn on/off the microphone boost. I usually turn off the "boost", which never does anything for me but introduce noise. Make sure the recording source/port you're going to use doesn't have a red "x" below, which means it's disabled. If it does click on the "x" to enable it. Turn up your recording source about 3/4 of the way. NOTE: On some sound cards the ports will automatically detect whether or not something is plugged in and will not enable that port unless something is. Which is why I suggest WITH THE POWER OFF, you plug in the connection to the external device first.
In Vista:
Right click the volume speaker icon in the system tray, then click on recording devices. Click on the recording source you want to use and then click on the button that says "set default". If you double click the device you selected, "line in", "microphone" etc you will see a properties page and have another option called "level", here is where you adjust the level for your recording device. Start with it about 3/4 of the way up. If you want to also adjust your "Playback" volume, you can by clicking on the "Playback" tab on the top of the first window. Click "Apply", then "Ok" until you exit out. NOTE: On some sound cards the ports will automatically detect whether or not something is plugged in and will not enable that port unless something is. Which is why I suggest WITH THE POWER OFF, you plug in the connection to the external device first.
Ok so now the hardware is connected and hopefully the correct port is enabled and at 3/4 volume. Double check the external device mixer/recorder/amplifier and make sure it's volume is all of the way down, if it is then go ahead and turn it on. Very important when first starting to record make sure the external device, whether it's an amplifier or mixer is turned all the way down and slowly increase the volume. If you don't you could fry something and in best case you'll get nothing but clipping anyway. Clipping is when the sending device is sending more voltage/sound then the receiving device can handle. When the record levels peak at dark red, it will be real noisy, something in most cases to avoid at all costs. For more mixing info search the forums, there is a lot more posted here then I'm sure then I'll ever know.
Open your mixing software and record, you should be good to go. IF you use Audacity then read the post called "Audacity" http://forum.bandmix.com/viewtopic.php? ... t=audacity I only include it because it's what I happen to use and know anything about. Any corrections and/or additions are sincerely welcome.
♦
The following is just for those who don't know how to hook up their "PC" computer for recording. I'm sure most do, but for those who don't it may help eliminate some frustration: You could send me a PM
but I am both delinquent and irresponsible and being such, of course I assume no responsibility. Mess with it at your own risks.
Regardless of which mixing program you use this covers the basic hardware setup to connect an external device/mixer/amplifier/microphone to your computer sound card. What you need is an amplifier or microphone of some sort, even most patch boxes would work for this, like the Zoom G2, micro cube, or some sort of mixer. A computer with a decent grade sound card. For good quality it should be able to record 44100 Hz stereo. It should have a "line in" and microphone ports, most decent ones do. You will need a cord with a stereo split of some kind to record in stereo. When I say stereo plug I mean the real small ones like you use for MP3 player headphones, which should be obvious because most sound cards don't have 1/4" jacks. Most music equipment sites have these as so does Best Buy, Radio Shack etc. I use a stereo plug to separate RCA adapters on the output for my mixer. Obviously if your microphone uses an XLR jack and/or requires phantom power, then you'll need something to power and convert it first. Unless you have some sort of specialized sound card, most do not have that ability.
With the power OFF ON BOTH THE COMPUTER AND EXTERNAL DEVICE, plug the external device you are going to use into the appropriate port of the sound card. Microphones, into "microphone", amplifiers/mixers into "line in". Once the device is plugged in then turn on JUST THE COMPUTER, Leave the power OFF on the external device for now.
The basic setup for windows:
In XP:
Double click your volume speaker in your system tray and, the mixer should pop up. Click on the "options" tab then click on "properties". Playback devices should be displayed, click on the recording or recording devices, I forget the exact name. Anyway here you can select your recording sources, the ports you will use. In some cases you can't record "line In" and "Microphone" at the same time. After you select your recording devices click apply or OK whichever, I forget it's been a while. You should now be looking at a mixer with several volume sliders. The microphone usually has an extra little button on it that you can click, I think it says "options". In most cases this is to turn on/off the microphone boost. I usually turn off the "boost", which never does anything for me but introduce noise. Make sure the recording source/port you're going to use doesn't have a red "x" below, which means it's disabled. If it does click on the "x" to enable it. Turn up your recording source about 3/4 of the way. NOTE: On some sound cards the ports will automatically detect whether or not something is plugged in and will not enable that port unless something is. Which is why I suggest WITH THE POWER OFF, you plug in the connection to the external device first.
In Vista:
Right click the volume speaker icon in the system tray, then click on recording devices. Click on the recording source you want to use and then click on the button that says "set default". If you double click the device you selected, "line in", "microphone" etc you will see a properties page and have another option called "level", here is where you adjust the level for your recording device. Start with it about 3/4 of the way up. If you want to also adjust your "Playback" volume, you can by clicking on the "Playback" tab on the top of the first window. Click "Apply", then "Ok" until you exit out. NOTE: On some sound cards the ports will automatically detect whether or not something is plugged in and will not enable that port unless something is. Which is why I suggest WITH THE POWER OFF, you plug in the connection to the external device first.
Ok so now the hardware is connected and hopefully the correct port is enabled and at 3/4 volume. Double check the external device mixer/recorder/amplifier and make sure it's volume is all of the way down, if it is then go ahead and turn it on. Very important when first starting to record make sure the external device, whether it's an amplifier or mixer is turned all the way down and slowly increase the volume. If you don't you could fry something and in best case you'll get nothing but clipping anyway. Clipping is when the sending device is sending more voltage/sound then the receiving device can handle. When the record levels peak at dark red, it will be real noisy, something in most cases to avoid at all costs. For more mixing info search the forums, there is a lot more posted here then I'm sure then I'll ever know.
Open your mixing software and record, you should be good to go. IF you use Audacity then read the post called "Audacity" http://forum.bandmix.com/viewtopic.php? ... t=audacity I only include it because it's what I happen to use and know anything about. Any corrections and/or additions are sincerely welcome.
♦
