What do I need?

[SilliusSodus]

Please excuse my ignorance, but I am trying to figure out how you guys record yourselves and then post your audio files on say, Suncloud. I do not have any programs on/for my computer that would allow me to do this. But, if this is what it takes, what program(s) should I be looking out for? I bought a new video camera to record some stuff with the baby (and hopefully some noise to put up on YT), but beyond that, I am a complete newb.

Any help would be appreciated...?

Oh, I have a pc that is running Windows XP (eff Vista), if that matters.

[Ghost Hip]

I use Adobe Audition 3.0 which was recommended by devi. I like it's features much more than other programs I've used and ended up not using my Cakewalk program as much. I plug in a mic direct in and record whatever I need to into that program.

[SilliusSodus]

So you connect a mic to the computer that is then linked to the program and then record your audio on that mic? I don't even have a clue as to what Cakewalk is...of course, the name is indicative that it is super easy to use...?

Talk to me about this like I'm a third grader...seriously.

[Ghost Hip]

Cakewalk is another recording program. Usually once the recording program is installed and you need to configure it so it recognizes the microphone. Most programs will try to this automatically. I usually use a mic with a quarter inch jack (like you use with guitars) and use a 1/4-1/8 converter and plug it into the "mic in" on my computer. It's usually found right next to where you'd plug in speakers/headphones. Beyond that it depends on the program, but you click record whatever you have in front of the mic making sound should be able to be recorded.

[SilliusSodus]

Cakewalk is another recording program. Usually once the recording program is installed and you need to configure it so it recognizes the microphone. Most programs will try to this automatically. I usually use a mic with a quarter inch jack (like you use with guitars) and use a 1/4-1/8 converter and plug it into the "mic in" on my computer. It's usually found right next to where you'd plug in speakers/headphones. Beyond that it depends on the program, but you click record whatever you have in front of the mic making sound should be able to be recorded.

Ahh...now I can see the picture in my head of what you were writing about. Is Cakewalk a good program for someone just starting out with trying to record? I want to put my noise on SoundCloud. That Adobe program looks awesome, but is waaaay out of my financial range right now, given the new baby and all!

[Ghost Hip]

Yeah I pirated the Adobe program. Cakewalk is good but there's no graphic equalizer, so it's difficult to mix. Although there might be a plug-in or a graphic EQ download somewhere. However the reverbs are pretty fun to toy with. I'd recommend it for sure.

[effetebomb]

there is a free ware program called audacity that you could check out. It is decent, if not a little crude. there is also ableton which is ridiculous and certainly pretty complicated and expensive, but you can demo it for free.

[SilliusSodus]

Thanks for the info. I'll check both out.

[smile_man]

Yeah I pirated

ableton

>.>

<.<

[SilliusSodus]

>.>

<.<

You pirated ableton?

[Nychthemeron]

If you just want to record clips, you can do fine with most free programs out there. If you really want to make a song, you could still get by with some of these programs, but I know a lot of people that use Pro Tools. Expensive as all get-out, but worth the dough if you really want to mess with recording.

[SilliusSodus]

If you just want to record clips, you can do fine with most free programs out there.

Such as...? (besides Audacity of course)

If you really want to make a song, you could still get by with some of these programs, but I know a lot of people that use Pro Tools. Expensive as all get-out, but worth the dough if you really want to mess with recording.

At this stage in the game, I'm not really looking to make a song per say. I just want to do something besides record a video with my camera and post it on YT (<though I haven't even done that yet, so maybe I'm really getting ahead of myself. )...

[Nychthemeron]

I love Audacity since it's just so simple to use. Just plug in and record and presto, it's done. I don't really know most movie programs (especially for PC), though I would suggest just googling something up and see if that works.

EDIT:
Also, wiki. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fr ... nd_editing

[SilliusSodus]

I love Audacity since it's just so simple to use. Just plug in and record and presto, it's done...

Do you favor one mic over another? Or, which mic do you use? I'm assuming it must have some type of USB plug in order to connect to your computer - or perhaps there is a separate plug in for a mic (I'll have to look at the back of the old behemoth I call a computer...)

Or, do you plug everything into a mixer and then plug into the computer from that?

Clearly, ignorance isn't bliss.

[Nychthemeron]

Yeah most things are USB these days. My friend uses a Blue Snowball Microphone straight into his computer and uses Sony ACID for editing. I'm a fan of condenser mics myself (requires Phantom Power) and really liked using the Rode NT5 set at school, but now I'll have to make do with the built in input on my macbook pro. Most people would suggest getting a dynamic mic like the Shure SM57 or SM58 since they're not extremely expensive and sound pretty good in general. Aen knows more about doing all this recording with a camera, so hopefully he'll show up and give his opinions.