"An Old Hobby"...

It's more a case of what equipment you have rather than what program you use. Personally I can't really say what's good or not, because I failed Audio Design last year and don't really remember much about the different microphone and mixing technologies or what's best in that field.

Audacity is quite a good simple and free program, it does a lot of the basic things needed for good recording, like compression and some of the simple effects. Not sure about any other free ones, but Audacity is good. Just don't expect it to be brilliant and it may or may not do things you may particularly want.

Awesome though that you're getting back into music, it is always my driving force and helps me when I'm down. Doing recordings at school have been really awesome this year and are (generally) rather enjoyable. I can try and help with anything program related if it's within my understanding.

EW approves.

No, literally.

~EW~

I DID write 'an'!

*looks*...whoops.

Oh and thanks a bunch. I had a feeling I will have to get my hands on a decent microphone/way to get clear recordings, I'm just sorta trying to figure out where to start. I have lots of lyrics, I know enough about music to make a song, I know a little about programs...just putting it all together gets me stumped.

EDIT: yaaaay EW approves. <3

KRISTAL is my favourite audio recording and mixing software, and it's free - a big advantage it has is multi-track recording. Also great reverb, equalizer, chorus, and other effects.

Audacity is also good and very simple - it's very easy to use. I keep both around and use them for different things. Both are free for download.

Be sure to post the things you record!

PS: I'm not a professional or anything but I record things frequently just for fun - if you have any questions about either of those programs, feel free to ask me; I use them all the time. Heck if you ever want to catch me on Skype or something and jam, hit me up - it'd be fun. ^^

1.

2. Right then, if you're willing to spend $200, give or take $20 or so, you can get everything you'll need. It is a bit much, yes, but a Shure SM57 and an M-Audio Fast Track, which includes a copy of Pro Tools. That would get every thing you need all said and done quite nicely. If you want to spend a little less though, for $120, you can get this set, which includes Sony Acid, a more basic-but still effective DAW, and a decent USB condenser mic, albeit you'll probably want to upgrade that soon.

There really isn't any way in under $100, but for not too much you can get some pretty good stuff nowadays. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me, I've been getting into recording lately and have become online friends with a few independent musicians, so have some people I can ask about the trade.

Music is wonderful, agreed. Good hobby to renew your interest in.

I use Audacity all the time with audio projects. Not so much music yet, though as soon as I get an adapter for my guitar and bass...

an old friend of mine used Audacity for music mixing before he moved on to the expensive programs (he has rich relatives) It should have all you'd need...I think it even has a built in metronome. Basic recordings are easy to throw together. The button with the red dot in the middle is a recording button, and it records whatever sound gets picked up by your mic until you turn it off . Very simple, Right? There are also hundreds of free downloads, so what effects didn't come with the original program, you can probably get in an effects pack. I was also at a media conference last January and the audio guy recommended this program, though it was just for general audio mixing. Basically, it's simple, but it gets the job done and has enough effects to do what you want.

I also downloaded the program that Smeagol4 suggested, KRISTAL. All I can say it is rather confusing to start with, and I had to use the help features just to figure out how to record something (you have to push two buttons). As I have only recently downloaded it and haven't really explored it, I can only really say that it seems much more professional than Audacity. Trust Smeagol's word on this part.

Also, like Smeagol said, if you are looking for somebody to jam with, feel free to PM me and maybe we can set something up. I play acoustic piano, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, and drums (Though I'm only medium level with most of them)...

I'll be praying you get that car.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions--especially you Smeag and Necro, I was hoping y'all would post. I'll go try out KRISTAL--but I doubt I'd want to play on Skype anytime soon, I'm rusted, and even then I'm not very good!

Thanks for pointing those out Necro; I doubt I can buy those anytime soon because of the car and all...but I'll definitely bookmark it if I ever make a few extra bucks next year. Thanks again--I had no idea where to start with this all, haha.

but I doubt I'd want to play on Skype anytime soon, I'm rusted, and even then I'm not very good!

My guess is you're twice as good as you say/think you are....

I used to be in a soccer club, it was a huge deal--the head coach used to be in the national professional team. I was in this club with kids who look like they'd played the sport every day since they were four--point is, they were good. I was the worst one on the team since I had only played the sport once or twice before my mom signed me up. Playing though, with the best of the best helped me improve a lot faster than if I had been just on my own. In a year I was good enough to beat a lot of people outside the club. Just hanging around and playing with experienced players helped my skill level go up.

...I say that just to encourage you to meet with other musicians, even now as you are "rusty." It could be somebody from BZP, it could be some friends in your local community, It could be Squanto Jones the Fourth and his heavy metal band....or not.

anyway, I personally believe that just practicing with other people helps a lot. It helps motivation, it helps skill levels, it helps the fun come out sometimes. Also it gets you to try new things on the spot, see what works, what doesn't. And if you make a few mistakes, don't worry, it's about having fun.

I would write more but I have a day to start... Hope that encourages you a little.

That's just -awesome.- Getting back into old loves is win. Kind of makes me want to pick up my drumsticks again and whack out something on my ridiculous big drum set.

And LK, I seriously doubt that you are rustier at guitar than I am at drums...if that makes you feel any better.xD

...you and Dani should play a duet.:333

-Raia-

That's just -awesome.- Getting back into old loves is win. Kind of makes me want to pick up my drumsticks again and whack out something on my ridiculous big drum set.

 

And LK, I seriously doubt that you are rustier at guitar than I am at drums...if that makes you feel any better.xD

 

...you and Dani should play a duet.:333

 

-Raia-

You know what we should do?

You use that drumset or sell it to get a smaller one...and WE CAN BE A AWESOME BAND. ;D

And that.

But still. AND KOMAS AND KAYLA CAN SING.

-Raia-

AND I'LL BE YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR. =3

Thanks for pointing those out Necro; I doubt I can buy those anytime soon because of the car and all...but I'll definitely bookmark it if I ever make a few extra bucks next year. Thanks again--I had no idea where to start with this all, haha.

Understandable, I can't afford both of those even when what I'm putting money towards is much smaller than a car, but if you do get some extra cash, then those are what I'd recommend putting it towards. Although if you understandably want something cheaper, if you have something for the bass and drum parts, then one of these, along with Audacity, if you're clever, should get everything done for about half the cost of the other USB mic package.