Easy recording

[merlhagstrom]

I want to record some riffs as I come up with them and was wondering what you fellows suggest. I 'd like a USB thing, that I can plug my guitar into or plug a mic into so I can record.

Thanks

[Thinline_slim]

That's a fairly broad request so I would ask, just to narrow it down, what do you currently have as a computer, operating system, and digital audio workstation (DAW)?

[merlhagstrom]

Ah I am using Windows 7 64 bit. I have USB ports and that is all I know. I want to record guitar and send thee files to a drummer friend who will record drums on another track using what I send him.

Thanks!

[Gray]

How much time are you willing to devote to this, how good do you want it to sound, and how much money are you willing to spend.

[Spaceboy1]

SM57 and Apogee One would do the trick and be decently high quality.

[ScottyDanger]

SM57 and Apogee One would do the trick and be decently high quality.

It would if he wasn't using a PC.

Check out Focusrite stuff, that's the best bang for the buck. This is a great starting point, with some features that will last you a little while: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... -interface" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anything else in that range is good for you. You should realllly consider monitors if you can afford a decent set (~$300). Let me know if that's in your budget and I'll recommend some stuff. At the very least you need to have a GOOD set of headphones.

The SM57 is a great mic for guitar amps. It's not the end-all-be-all that some people make it out to be, but for $90 you can't go wrong. Don't spend less than that though, the quality realllly drops off if you're buying new stuff.

[merlhagstrom]

I dont want to spend much time, I dont want to learn anything really, I want to plug into pc, plug into a box and record. Thanks

[Spaceboy1]

If you happen to have a FireWire port I might have a solution for you.

[RickenBangler]

I'm with ScottyDanger here - something llike the Focusrite 2i2 will give you all you need. There are cheaper alternatives out there but as you want

a USB thing, that I can plug my guitar into or plug a mic into

you'll be looking for something with a pre-amp and those on the Focusrite are very good for the money.

I think anything less than this sort of thing may be OK initially but you will soon get frustrated by lack of flexibility and sub-standard quality. Been there got that shirt...

Hope this helps.
RB

[misterfolkertsma]

You might also want to check out this thread: http://forum.orangeamps.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=48576

These days I still use the Zoom H2, but use external mics into a small cheap mixer and output the combined stereo signal to the Zoom H2.

[jontheid]

I wouldn't recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

I say this with good reason, I bought one recently and then sent it back the same week.
I'll tell you why.

1) The instrument input has way too much gain, and turning the knob to zero doesn't reduce the gain to zero!
This means that if you plug an electric guitar into it (even with passive, low output pickups) the signal will distort horribly. This is a well documented design fault.

2) Poor headphone output volume. Really not enough juice there at all.

3) Poor latency from the drivers on my setup. This interface seemed worse than a Zoom R16 or a Zoom H4 or other USb interfaces using Asio4all

I've now got A Roland Quad Capture. I really can't fault it. Yes it cost a little bit more but it is way way better than the Focusrite.

If you want to go the simple, low budget route why not try something like the Alesis Guitar Link Plus?
You have to plug your guitar straight into it, you can't use a mic, but it is dead cheap and comes with guitar amp simulator software.

http://www.westenddj.co.uk/Product/ALES ... tAodq1kAJw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[baytamusic]

Well, if you need to send files to your drummer to record over, you'll probably want to be playing to a recorded click so I'd say at minimum you'll need:

1. DAW application to multitrack (I'm a Logic user but you may want to look into Reaper since it's free and works on PC)

2. Microphone, cable, mic stand - Probably for your first mic a SM57 or Sennheiser e609. Or for something a little more useful for multiple purposes a Large Diaphragm Condensor such as one of Audio Technica's lower end options (AT2035 is a good mic)

3. Interface w/ USB - Not sure what to suggest here. I'm a Mac user so a firewire interface is what I use. (Echo Audiofire 8 ). I'm sure something from Presonus would be ok for you.

4. Decent Headphones - There's lots of options out there.

Or you could look into a recording package that includes everything, although you don't get to pick what you want and the mics and monitors aren't going to be all that amazing, but will work for your purposes while you learn:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... ng-package" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... ng-package" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DiabloS]

A zoom H2 or H4 is relatively affordable and really easy to use, but it won't get you the same quality and flexibility as an audio interface and DAW. Depends if you're going for quality or ease of use I guess. If I just want to record new riffs I'm writing so I don't forget them, I use the Zoom H2 or H4. But if I want to make a real home demo of something, I'll use an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB with Reaper and an SM57. Both do the trick for their own purpose, but you just won't get studio quality out of it or anything. Learning to use any kind of DAW for the first time is a little daunting, but a Zoom H2 or H4 is pretty easy to use... it just won't sound quite as good. If you want to multitrack you're better off going with an audio interface and your PC though.

[Belzebuth]

A zoom H2 or H4 is relatively affordable and really easy to use, but it won't get you the same quality and flexibility as an audio interface and DAW. Depends if you're going for quality or ease of use I guess. If I just want to record new riffs I'm writing so I don't forget them, I use the Zoom H2 or H4. But if I want to make a real home demo of something, I'll use an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB with Reaper and an SM57. Both do the trick for their own purpose, but you just won't get studio quality out of it or anything. Learning to use any kind of DAW for the first time is a little daunting, but a Zoom H2 or H4 is pretty easy to use... it just won't sound quite as good. If you want to multitrack you're better off going with an audio interface and your PC though.

+1
I'm really happy with my M-audio (10/10LT) and Reaper and i'm a plug n' play kind of guy. Easy to use...great results! I Don't recommend it with Vista on the other hand. XP or 7 is the way to go with a PC for DAW

[bmxbandit]

Honestly dude, I know this sounds ridiculous, but want to know the easiest/cheapest/fastest way to record your guitar through usb? Download Audacity for your PC (its free recording software) and record a guitar track with this http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROCKSMITH-OFFIC ... 35bceedd80" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Believe it or not, I got sick of playing the video game itself for a while, and got curious with the cable so I plugged it into my mac and actually ended up tracking guitar for one of my songs on my bands EP. This is the quality you can get (obviously with mixing) with a guitar track from just that USB cable meant for a video game:
http://therestlessdays.bandcamp.com/tra ... -down-here" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

so yeah, for 50 bucks buy the rocksmith cable and hit record on a new track in audacity, and export the wav file so you can send it to your drummer guy