PC recording

Soooo many choices in the gadget arena. Lots of them are good enough to get stuff done. Depends on how cool you want to be about it.
Do you want to be tied to a computer, or do you think an iPad might be something else to play with?
Lots of interfaces are compatible with both, and there’s something to be said about being moderately untethered, and mobile, when recording.

As far as DAW software... Look around and see what makes sense to you.
I like REAPER for a computer DAW. it’s flexible, configurable, as simple as you’d like to keep it, but capable of deep, and complex tasks.

For the iPad/iPhone I like MultiTrack DAW. Super simple multitrack recorder, capable of up to 24 tracks on a phone, or tablet....I think it was like $15.00 all I with the track count upgrade.
I use a few different interfaces with it, but my ART Dual Pre USB is the most flexible.
Two mic preamps or instrument inputs, headphone, and monitor outputs. It runs on the phone/tablet/computer usb power(using the apple USB adapter for phone/tablet).

Other devices that some folks seem to like are the Scarlet interfaces.

Other software to look at...
Some people have lots of good things to say about Audacity, another DAW that’s actually free.

Presonus studio 1 is another one that has a free version to try out and see if you like.

It’s a rabbit hole to be sure.

Best of luck other Don with an extra O.
 
Thanks Don No O :D I knew this was going to be a What’s your favorite red wine, type of question. But I want to do the research on things you guys have tried to narrow my search.

I took possession of an old Strat today that has the best tone in my stable and I thought I should start recording and seeing what really works. So,this is my current quest of getting gear to do that.
 
There's a world of choice. The hardware built into every PC as standard is surprisingly good; you just have to spend more than 20 bucks on a microphone to make it sound good. Next up the list would be a USB microphone. The real, high end companies make these. Just search and you will find plenty. Expect to pay about $50.

The problem with those is that you are then tied to the pc - you can't just plug it in anywhere else. My favourite method is a USB mic preamp, which lets me plug in any mic. I use the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

For software you can go anywhere from the industry standard (and nasty to use) ProTools to Soundforge which is free and much friendlier to use.
 
Don O said:
Thanks Don No O :D I knew this was going to be a What’s your favorite red wine, type of question. But I want to do the research on things you guys have tried to narrow my search.

I took possession of an old Strat today that has the best tone in my stable and I thought I should start recording and seeing what really works. So,this is my current quest of getting gear to do that.
Click to expand...
Do you own any microphones at all?
I have a couple of different USB mics, but they’re (the ones I have) both better suited to acoustic instruments than amplified guitar... so I’m no help in that arena.

If you’re only going to record yourself, that other Don, with an extra P, mentioned the 2i2 interface. That’s a fairly popular bit of kit that will get the job done. It will work with a lot of different input sources, and computers.
Good mics to have around would be Shure SM57/or 58, Audix i5, amongst others.
 
I’m just looking to record through a Mesa amp to see how various guitars sound. This is a new adventure for me.
 
Don O said:
I’m just looking to record through a Mesa amp to see how various guitars sound. This is a new adventure for me.
Click to expand...

Oh, it will be an adventure. You'll put a mic straight in front of the speaker, record it, and then wonder what amp you just recorded, because it sounds nothing like yours. The rest of the day will be spent moving the mic around trying to find the sound.

Jimmy Page always used a pair of mics - one close in to the amp and another several yards away in the room, then blended them together.
 
DonP said:
Oh, it will be an adventure. You'll put a mic straight in front of the speaker, record it, and then wonder what amp you just recorded, because it sounds nothing like yours. The rest of the day will be spent moving the mic around trying to find the sound.

Jimmy Page always used a pair of mics - one close in to the amp and another several yards away in the room, then blended them together.
Click to expand...

Interesting, Don P. I still remember the first times I heard my own voice recorded while I was in school. We had to do that in our foreign language classes. My reaction was, OMG, I sound like that?!!!!!!!
 
DonP said:
Oh, it will be an adventure. You'll put a mic straight in front of the speaker, record it, and then wonder what amp you just recorded, because it sounds nothing like yours. The rest of the day will be spent moving the mic around trying to find the sound.

Jimmy Page always used a pair of mics - one close in to the amp and another several yards away in the room, then blended them together.
Click to expand...
Oh this sounds like a trade study. Try various mic placements and mics. Compare notes , try a different setup and repeat. I’ll be done in 2032.
 
I used to ponder mic's a number of years ago. But the closest I came to intentionally buying some was to mic drums. Then one night at an auction, I wound up buying a box full of guitar related items like a few pedals, some guitar cables, and a couple of Peavey Mics. I have never used to mics, but now maybe I can find them and see what info you guys can tell me about them.
 
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