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Post by roger on Jan 22, 2008 16:25:14 GMT
As I am starting to suffer from old timers disease I wonder if anyone can help me. I was told sometime ago of a website you could download onto your PC or laptop of a small recording facility (I have forgotten who told me and the website address) all you needed was a suitable microphone and you could make simple recordings of yourself playing. I also recall something about this on the Gadget show but I cannot find that on there website either. Can anyone help or am I going completely senile and have dreamt all this, thanks in anticipation. Regards Roger ;D
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Post by LouisianaGrey on Jan 22, 2008 20:35:52 GMT
Audacity is pretty good, and you can encode your stuff as MP3s afterwards. It's also got a nice facitlity to record from the soundcard, which means you can record radio programs broadcast on the internet and also other things that you can play but not download. audacity.sourceforge.net/Speaking of old timers disease, have you seen ?
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Post by robn on Jan 23, 2008 12:13:58 GMT
Hi Roger, I agree with Pete. Audacity is reasonably intuitive to use, and for a free programme it has lots of good features. I've recorded onto Audacity with a mic plugged into my laptop sound card on many occasions. However, the easiest way I have found to record is by using one of the small portable digital recorders. I have a Zoom H4 on loan at present, and I’m thinking about buying a Zoom H2 when I have to give the H4 back. www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/The Zoom recorders record onto an SD card. So I record a few takes on the Zoom, take out the card and plug it into the SD card slot on my laptop and open the files I want in Audacity, where they can be edited and saved as WAV or MP3. The whole process is very quick and very simple, and I have found these advantages over recording direct to my laptop sound card: a. There is no messing with mic leads. b. The sound from a Zoom is very clean compared to PC sound cards. c. There is no mic pre-amp system to worry about. d. You can record anywhere and download to your PC later. A good mic and pre-amp to record direct into your laptop soundcard will be about £100. The Zoom H2 is £150. I think that the flexibility of having a portable recorder is really worth the outlay. When I get home I’ll add a clip to this post, recorded on the H4, managed with Audacity and uploaded in MP3 format, so you can hear the quality that can be, quite literaly, achieved in your living room! Robn Here you go boomp3.com/m/5728562281e9Recorded in my lounge on a Zoom H4, turned into an MP3 on Audacity. No EQ, reverb, colours, flavours or preservatives added ;D
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 23, 2008 14:18:03 GMT
Hi Roger,
You been given good advice by both Robin & Pete. Most PCs don't have a good sound card. Mine has a professional quality card, so there is no hiss or reduction in quality. MACs are different, they do have pretty good sound cards....or whatever they call them in MAC-talk. A mini multitracker like the Zoom is an excellent system for home recording on a budget. Computers that are not properly set up for recording can be troublesome, whereas the Zoom is purpose built and doesn't receive emails while you are recording. I don't know much about the range of mini multitrackers available, but I have seen the Zoom and I think it is excellent. It is also very good value for money.
Shine On, Michael
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Post by roger on Jan 23, 2008 21:29:14 GMT
Thanks very much Louisiana, Robn and Michael. Robn the Zoom looks very interesting and I believe after hearing your recording is the way I shall go, nice playing Robn. Thanks for the link to the Tom Rush song Louisiana, anybody who is 50 plus can relate to virtually every line very funny, my wife said it could have been written about me, thanks again. Michael this is the great thing about this site you get answers to your questions, product information, music and humour brilliant. Regards Roger ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2008 10:27:50 GMT
hi roger i just happen to have a zoom portable recording device and i will bring it on sunday so you can have a little play. im not sure which one it is although it is about 4-5 years old.
see you sunday
Gareth
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Post by roger on Jan 24, 2008 10:37:01 GMT
Hi Gareth, thanks very much for that, I will see you on Sunday. Thanks again. Regards Roger ;D
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 24, 2008 10:40:06 GMT
4 to 5 years old in the world of Zoom recorders is an antique. The machine Robin & I are talking about is way ahead of anything that was made 5 years ago. Somewhere on this forum there is a thread all about Zoom H2 recorders.
Shine On Michael
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Post by growler on Jan 24, 2008 12:17:06 GMT
Hey Pete I have just watched the Tom Rush Youtube link you posted about the memory song, After that I had a look at the " No Regrets " clip, did he write this one, the only version I can remember is the one by the Walker Bros? also is he doing it in an open G and chording it . The shot of the venue looks fantastic in this clip, a typical lovely warm American summer evening down at the harbour ........ what a place to do a gig ....... have a look at it, if only to hear such a fantastic song
Regards growler
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2008 19:45:45 GMT
Hi Growler, Yes, Tom Rush did write "No Regrets" - on his album "The Circle Game". As well as Scott Walker, Midge Ure did a more recent cover (even better!?), but I think the original is best! Tom Rush has a good website with a FAQ section where he answers lots of questions about tunings - apparently "No Regrets is in open C (C,G,C,G,C,E - G bass to high E) www.tomrush.com/faq.htmlI've always been a big Tom Rush fan. Check out his album "Blues, Songs & Ballads" recorded in 1963, some of it recorded in someone's living-room! It's still available from HMV website. He's a really under-rated, and often forgotten, singer & songwriter, & a great guitarist! Cheers, Clive
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 24, 2008 20:27:23 GMT
My good friend, BJ Cole, played the pedal steel guitar on the Scott Walker recording of 'No Regrets'. It is a classic record.
There's one thing for sure - that wasn't recorded with a computer or a Zoom H2. ;D
Shine On Michael.
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Post by growler on Jan 24, 2008 20:41:50 GMT
Clive Thanks for interesting reply , I must have a look at his Website , C tuning , never heard of that before . I got on to i - tunes to download " No regrets" by him but it was'nt there so I had to make do with the Walker Bros version. I always get him mixed up with Tom Paxton
Anyway thanks for reply
Growler
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2008 10:06:20 GMT
Hi michael yes i know in the world of modern technology a zoom that is 4-5 years old is a bit antique, but the crank arm still works really well, although the real to real ocationaly sticks. but i thought it might give him an idea of the technology.
gareth
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Post by roger on Jan 25, 2008 12:42:14 GMT
Gareth, are you inferring I am not up-to date with modern technology. If that is the case I shall go straight home to-night get out my trusty pheasant quill and parchment and write you a stiff letter. Once that is done I shall light a fire in the grate boil the kettle and do me self some toast and probably listen to the Home Service on the Wireless. Regards Roger
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 25, 2008 13:22:08 GMT
Hi Gareth,
If the tape is sticking & not running correctly in the Zoom it is usually down to one of the KT66 output valves on the way out.
Shine On Michael
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