Karaoke Forums

Hi Technical Wizards,

I don't know if I can be helped or not, since I thought I submitted a lengthy post the other day, but it's not here, so I must have not put a stamp on it. I know, groan.

I need some guidance on how to successfully record songs.

Here's what we were doing (and won't be repeating since the quality was so bad)
1. Using karaoke CAVS 203 to sing
2. Recording to cassette tape
3. Using InstantMusic to transfer cassette music to laptop via usb to laptop.
4. Using Audacity to normalize and convert to wave or mp3 files.

I know there's many better ways of accomplishing this. Don't need a home studio...just suitable equipment for singing/parties and excellent recording quality.

I don't have to use audacity....or any of the stuff I mentioned above.

Tell me what should get and I'll do my best!

Totally appreciate the assistance!

Elaine

Lose the CAVS and the tape.  Record directly to Audacity using a quality mixer and a good mic.  Mix down from there.

Thanks!

Is it necessary to have the line in jack? Lap top doesn't have that. Just the mic and headphone jack.

preferable to use a usb sound module then. There are some very reasonably priced ones about that allow you to record and play via usb port. The sound is clearer than using the laptop onboard sound card

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Thank you Morgan!

We made some major purchases today, hope we can get it all together!

Cheers!

Elaine

I am looking forward to hearing

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

For MorganLeFey,
I need to know. Havn't read about it.
Are usb sound systems better than onboard.
Not bothered about midi, I have a good midi sound module.
Just need to know if they really do give a better audio out.

I am not Morgan.. She is FAR better looking than I am, I can assure you.  However, I can answer your question.  Yes, the quality of an external USB device  is going to be much better than the sound card built into your motherboard (laptops and cheaper desktops).  IF you have a nice saound card in your desktop, then the tradeoffs diminish, of course.

I have this one hooked up to my home PC for recording (and available to take on the road when I gig, but I rarely use it for that) and it has been quite nice, and was fairly inexpensive.   There are less expensive units with similar quality, if you don't have to have XLR inputs. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=701368

Hey Meep I would dispute that I was better looking! By the way dude does your M-audio have the annoying mono only feature that mine has? I am so losing enthusiasm for having to convert and muck around with it. I have heard there is a setting in Adobe/CEP that will get it to step down (phantom stereo) or at least plonk it in the middle instead of the left channel. But I am not sure where to go looking. Any ideas?
Meanwhile I am back to using my sb live external till I get the other one sorted

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Speaking of recording for dummies, THERE IS a "dummies" book that's been out for several months (I think the full title is "Dummies for the Home Musician" or something like that)....very useful, but as with any of these books, there will be areas you will probably want to skip over.  Very helpful book with CD ROM. There's also a Dummies book for singers that is good as well.

Hmmm...I am using CEP 2.1 and haven't had that problem.  What I do is choose which input I am recording from (usually Channel 2 or Right), assign that to whatever track I am recording to, with the Pan set at 0.  That centers whatever I am recording, in teh mixdown.   Now I Am not sure about what comes out of the headphone output while the recording is being done---that may still be either right or left-only--that would be annoying.  I monitor through a small mixer so I have never really paid attention beyond that.

See if this helps: In CEP, if I go to Options, Device Properties...
Choose the Wave Out tab
Make sure the M-Audio Mobile Pre is selected.
Under Limit  Playback to: choose Mono, then OK..

I THINK this should fix the problem you describe.  At least it is worth a shot, right?

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/F ... -main.html

that is what I am using and nope it doesnt help hon

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Darn, I was hoping that might make a difference.  :-( Well, at least I got to shamelessly flirt a little.

not nearly enough shameless flirting sir, lift your game

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I offer my sincerest apologies....  I shall work on it.  **Winks, lifts his game and saunters off...**

hmmmm first time I have ever heard a kilt referred to by the name "game"

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Perhaps it wasn't a kilt to which I was referring?

So...How's the weather there in NZ?

the weather is (@$%&#!)...no summer to speak of

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I believe the weather is kind of mixed up over there also?

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Along these same lines, I'm running an RSQ triple tray through a Yamaha 212x mixer w/ Yamaha 12" PA speakers in my basement.  I tried using the Rec Out to the Mic in on my laptop and used Audacity to record.  I had a lot of clipping, and had to reduce the gain to get a semi-decent recording.  
Could I use the linked product mentioned above to product recordings w/ better sound quality?  
Just use the record out from my mixer to the external sound card device, and then connect to my laptop via USB?  

Also, I'm using standard mic cords into my mixer; should I purchase XLR (female and male) for better sound or does it make a huge difference?  
Thank you!