i need a cheap way to record music

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

11/15/2007 03:53:31 PM · #1

My husband and I went to Nashville recently to play at an open mic night and have some fun in our favorite city. Apparently we played well 'cause two different people (one claiming to be from BMI and one worked for/with NSAI) gave us their addresses and asked that we send a recording and lyrics of 5 of our songs. Well, I'm not one to get my hopes up too high about selling a song, but it's worth a try.

Problem is we don't know the first thing about recording. I really don't think they are expecting anything professional. Does anyone know of some cheap or free software that I can download so I can record off of my computer?

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

11/15/2007 03:55:10 PM · #2

Check out Audacity, it's a free program my friend uses. You might want to pick up a cheap microphone from radioshack or something, might cost about $10-15.

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

11/15/2007 03:56:07 PM · #3

Originally posted by kyebosh:

Check out Audacity, it's a free program my friend uses. You might want to pick up a cheap microphone from radioshack or something, might cost about $10-15.

Now that's pretty cheap! Plus its easy to use.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/15/2007 03:57:20 PM · #4

If you have Windows, a sound card and a mic, you can use Sound Recorder in Windows.

11/15/2007 03:57:22 PM · #5

I've got the microphone. It's a Shure and I've heard good things about it, but obviously it doesn't get much use. I'll check out Audacity... thanks!!

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

11/15/2007 03:58:51 PM · #6

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

If you have Windows, a sound card and a mic, you can use Sound Recorder in Windows.

LOL... I don't even know what a sound card is. It's a good thing I'm cute!

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

11/15/2007 04:08:03 PM · #7

One more plug for Audacity here. It does what it needs to do. You can find better and more capable, but at a price.

I know that serious podcasters and musicians prefer USB micrphones, as they encode the audio signal before it get into the computer. It supposedly provides superior audio with less interference. I don't know what those run for, however.

Message edited by author 2007-11-15 16:10:47.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/15/2007 04:20:28 PM · #8

N-Track Studio provides a moderately-priced way to turn you PC into a multi-track recorder.

Of course, if you buy a Mac these days, you get Garage Band (complete recording studio for both analog and MIDI) built-in, along with movie-editing and DVD-authoring software. Might seem all that first, until you realize how much you get done in not-so-much time ... ;-)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/15/2007 04:25:06 PM · #9

Originally posted by cynthiann:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
If you have Windows, a sound card and a mic, you can use Sound Recorder in Windows.

LOL... I don't even know what a sound card is. It's a good thing I'm cute!

Does your PC have speakers?

11/15/2007 04:25:19 PM · #10

Thanks everyone! I downloaded Audacity and am looking forward to getting off work and playing with it with my husband (did that sound funny?). Another score for the DPC forum. Had I not asked you guys I'd still be googling and downloading a bunch of crap I didn't need.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/15/2007 04:26:02 PM · #11

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by cynthiann:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
If you have Windows, a sound card and a mic, you can use Sound Recorder in Windows.

LOL... I don't even know what a sound card is. It's a good thing I'm cute!

Does your PC have speakers?

yup...

Spork99

OM System OM-1

11/15/2007 04:31:35 PM · #12

You should have a spot to plug in a mic next to where your speakers plug in.

Though as someone mentioned, a USB mic is better.