I would like to try my hand at recording, but am not sure where to start

[yngwie666]

If you're one Windows and on a budget, you can use Reaper as a recording platform for free (small fee).

What I would do, if you're familiar with tabs is to use guitar pro to write your song structure, then export the bass/drums tracks as midi. Then import the bass/drums into your recording software and use some plugin like EzDrummer to make it sound realistic and record the guitar parts with a SM57 mic on your amp. It seems difficult but it's easier to edit tabs (including drums) in Guitar Pro as you can see the different tracks in tab format.

[iGouger]

If you're one Windows and on a budget, you can use Reaper as a recording platform for free (small fee).

What I would do, if you're familiar with tabs is to use guitar pro to write your song structure, then export the bass/drums tracks as midi. Then import the bass/drums into your recording software and use some plugin like EzDrummer to make it sound realistic and record the guitar parts with a SM57 mic on your amp.

That sounds like an interesting prospect. I've worked in creating .midi files in the past, so this might be the most familiar platform for me.


Also, I should mention that I do have some Audio Technica headphones. How well do those rate up compared to some of the other brands, such as the Sony MDR-7506 Headphones that Dinosaur David B listed?

[Haffner]

If you're one Windows and on a budget, you can use Reaper as a recording platform for free (small fee).

What I would do, if you're familiar with tabs is to use guitar pro to write your song structure, then export the bass/drums tracks as midi. Then import the bass/drums into your recording software and use some plugin like EzDrummer to make it sound realistic and record the guitar parts with a SM57 mic on your amp.

That sounds like an interesting prospect. I've worked in creating .midi files in the past, so this might be the most familiar platform for me.


Also, I should mention that I do have some Audio Technica headphones. How well do those rate up compared to some of the other brands, such as the Sony MDR-7506 Headphones that Dinosaur David B listed?

Audio Technica makes good headphones. I must say though, I've had my Sony MDR-V900HD headphones for many years and to this day they sound freaking spectacular. As Dave said, the MDRs are a great investment, period.

[Seven Moons]

What I would do, if you're familiar with tabs is to use guitar pro to write your song structure, then export the bass/drums tracks as midi. Then import the bass/drums into your recording software and use some plugin like EzDrummer to make it sound realistic and record the guitar parts with a SM57 mic on your amp.

I second the recommendation. That's what I'm doing too. Guitar Pro is a wonderful piece of software (if only I could have had something like that when I started playing !)


http://www.guitar-pro.com/en/index.php


http://www.toontrack.com/product-catego ... ummerline/

[Dinosaur David B]

The new EZdrummer 2 I think is also slanted toward songwriting, and is structured to let you create specific song forms, and select the beat variations for each part.

[Haffner]

The new EZdrummer 2 I think is also slanted toward songwriting, and is structured to let you create specific song forms, and select the beat variations for each part.

Toontracks is terrific, I have EZ Drummer, Superior, Metal Foundry, Extreme. Once you have the base plug-in there's a wide selection of (often inexpensive) expansions, so another great investment there.


I got super tired of dealing with drummers, from now on I might just deal with human percussionists on a pay to play basis.

[Dinosaur David B]

Yeah, and Andy Gavin says the new EZD is really super for songwriters to putting songs together. But the new Logic drums are even more intuitive, and you can use them to trigger the EZD sounds if you want.

[Bytor]

iGouger,


I've hesitated to respond because I may ruffle some feathers here.. But it's my Bday so WTF


I've spent a few yrs not only doing my own humble stuff but also doing internet radio before everyone and their brother did it.. Focusing on indie acts most often that operated on shoe string budgets.


I've gladly promoted MANY artists from right here,, and more from elsewhere on the interweb.. I've spoken with sooo many artist about how they did things on the cheap that ultimately smoked big money artists at the end of the day that I think I have a grasp on how to cheap out and achieve a decent sound


What levels the playing field, is that everyone ends up on an MP3.. :sad:


What sucks is,,, that everyone ends up an MP3


Based of what I've had sent to me for airplay.. And what the exceptionally good CHEAP artists use..



You will need.................


Reaper......

http://www.reaper.fm/

The DL trial version never expires.. Did I say that out loud? :036:


EZ drummer2


Line 6 UX2.. for an interface and soundcard all in one.. Not to mention bass patches and vocal mic use..


Your headphones..


YOUR TALENT & IMAGINATION!!!!


Now, I'm going to acknowledge that some people past the entry level aren't real down with the amp sims on the UX2 or Pod Farm that comes with..


A very inexpensive plugin that has blown me away on a number of,, no,,, a LARGE number of submissions for airplay is http://www.scuffhamamps.com/


Yeah Yeah Yeah I know.. The purists want to mic an amp................

And convert it to an MP3 :wall:


It's funny, over the yrs I've had people send me stuff that was high dollar production and higher even $$$$ mastered stuff that was laughable.. Moist ass stuff... And I've had people send me stuff that was done with the bare bones elements I've mentioned earlier that kicked ASS.. Talent, and ear.. And remembering that at the end of the day, we're all n MP3 :sad2:

[iGouger]

Bytor, thanks very much for your advice. And happy birthday, man!


I don't really intend to be competitive or anything--I don't want to try to prove if I'm "better" than some others, and I think all music, if it's good and comes from the heart, has equal value and has a place somewhere.


I will have to spend a bit more time checking out options. Multiple people here have mentioned Reaper and Ez drummer, so I'll have to research them more.


All the info and links you guys have been sharing has been a tremendous help. I'll look more into all of this tomorrow. Currently tired and headin to bed.

[EugenicScum]

Bytor is on the ball. It'll help if you can eventually save up for a lunchbox amp, an SM57, and a decent pair of active monitors like Dave mentioned. A handheld recorder helps if you want to quickly document riff and solo ideas - zoom makes great ones. Also spend a lot of time listening to your reference music and improve your arranging skills and this will also help you arrive at approx tones.


But the biggest motivation for me is playing with real people, so in my opinion, anything you do in terms of a recording set up should be geared towards playing with a real band. Finding good musicians to play with makes me improve for sure, and the end product with the collaborative effort is that much better.