Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 06:50 AM

Ok so i want to get some recording software, first off does any one have some suggestion on what to get. second i need to know what kind of cord goes from the amp to my laptop

thx~

Posted by: tonymiro Nov 7 2007, 07:26 AM

Software - first have a look at the recommendations in the stickies that Andrew has at the head of this forum. A large part of your decision will depend on what computer platform you use ie Mac or Windows or Linux. Next is your budget and what you want from a sequencer. Next is your own familiarity with them. As an example, if you have a limited budget and run Windows and/or aren't sure if recording software sequencers/daw are right for you then Reaper is a good option as it's a fully spec'ed sequencer but is shareware.

For the cable - we'd need to know the output type of your amp ie jack at line level/xlr/trs/digital and the input type/s that your audio interface has and/or whether the amp, or modeler has USB or firewire connectivity.

Sorry but I've ended up with more questions for you then answers but we need more info before sending you off down the wrong road.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 07:35 AM

my amp is the line 6 spider 3 and i think it just puts out the stuff you guitar puts out

also i am running windows vista

Posted by: Pavel Nov 7 2007, 07:46 AM

I think our gear/recording expert Tony will need some more info. As far as i know you have a Laptop, so it has a small input jack. What software do you use?

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 07:48 AM

what do you mean what software?

Posted by: Pavel Nov 7 2007, 07:54 AM

Reaper, Cubase? To record your guitar you must have some recording software.

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 08:07 AM

oh i currently dont have any software im looking to get some though

Posted by: muris Nov 7 2007, 09:55 AM

Well Reaper is FREE if I'm correct and fine tool for first recording steps.
Cubase isn't free tho.

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 10:22 AM

yeah i just downloaded reaper but i still dont have any kind of cord to go from my amp to my comp

Posted by: muris Nov 7 2007, 10:28 AM

I believe you should take a pics of jacks on your amp and laptop and post it here.
We are only guessing this way.

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 10:36 AM

well my laptop it an alien ware and im pretty sure its fully equiped with all the ports you would find and a laptop + a few extra but here is a similar laptop - looks very almost the same as mine : http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/area-51_m9750/area-51m_gallery.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M9750&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT#pdp-nav

and my amp is a line 6 spider 3 15 watt : http://line6.com/spideriii/15.html

Posted by: muris Nov 7 2007, 10:41 AM

Please take a pictures of your laptop and amp,focus on jacks and do a real close up.
These links offer too many infos.
OK?

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 10:44 AM

ok i'll get on that

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 11:07 AM

ok here they are - they're not the best quality and also the pic of the amp ports say "CD/MP3 IN" and "PHONES/RECORDER OUT"

-The images are kinda large lol

[attachment=2371:attachment][attachment=2372:attachment][attachment=2373:attachm
ent][attachment=2374:attachment]

Posted by: tonymiro Nov 7 2007, 09:05 PM

The laptop is a very good all round, and probably great for games, one BUT it's limited when it comes to use for recording.

Cheapest option:
Looking at the spec it may well have an on-board sound chip and the only mic input is on a minijack. Now you could possibly use this, at least in the short term, to record your amp via a microphone. You'll almost certainly need some form of adaptor plug though as very few mics come with a minijack connector.

There's no indication if the mic line in will take an instrument line level or headphone line in- I very much doubt it. If it did you'd need a suitable cable - probably 1/8'' to 1/8'' jack.

Intermediate option:
As an alternative to this you could possibly use a USB mic - there are several now on the market and they cost, I think, around 150USD or so. All you should do there is plug the mic into the USB port and set up the i/o appropriately in Windows and Reaper. Downside is you'll be recording your amp via a microphone and not direct and arguably that takes more effort to set up well. Upside is that most amps sound better that way.


Longer term and maybe best option:
TBH this would get you going best. I'd suggest that if you wanted to do any real recording and mixing that you look into getting a good external audio interface and use that for i/o to the laptop and disable the on -board soundchip. The interface could be either USB or Firewire and there are loads to chose from and go in price form around 50USD upto 1000s so there's plenty to chose from . If you go this route you'll need to think about what inputs you want and how many.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: JVM Nov 7 2007, 09:18 PM

I would suggest the interface route Especially when you can get one that can do microphones, you can always do the intermediate route as well. The interface will only make you sound better.

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 7 2007, 10:20 PM

so for short term use i can just get a 1/8" adapter and plug it into the mic slot?

Posted by: tonymiro Nov 7 2007, 11:35 PM

Probably - can't guarantee that it will work, depends on what level the line in is expecting. And I'm guessing a bit that they're both 1/8th - look like it to me but nothing definitive on the spec sheets.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Neosmithk Nov 8 2007, 03:45 AM

ok thanks for all the help

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Nov 25 2007, 01:37 AM

I would recommend a Toneport Device. In the bundle you get an ABleton Lite software t get you familiar with multitrack recording, MIDI programming and VSTs as basics. Toneport basically acts as a external audio interface (USB audio card). It has 4 mono inputs, guitar, mic two line-level ones (+ 2 monitoring ones - not recordable), two outputs, and a Gearbox software (similat to GR, AMplitube etc.). You can plug your guitar cord directly in it. THis is a very cheap and effective way of getting into world of PC recording.