Advice On Gear

The place for Cakewalk beginners to discuss everything Cakewalk.
Composer_Chick
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 5:20 pm
Location: Glasgow, KY

Post by Composer_Chick » Tue Oct 14, 2003 8:35 pm

Hello!
I have been a Pro Audio9 user for 2 years now using a keyboard. I have a 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars I want to record into cakewalk as midi, as the patches for guitar are lack luster. What gear do I need to get the job done? I'm very frugal (CHEAPSKATE) and would like a ball park figure on the cost of this want (Not Need).
Thanks
CC :wink:


andychap
Posts: 685
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2003 7:26 pm
Location: UK

Post by andychap » Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:07 am

There's nothing I'm afraid that will do what you want. The closest would be to record the sounds of your guitar as samples and load them into a sampler. Map the sampler across the keys of your keyboard and your real sounds will be triggered by midi input.

It's all quite complicated try a google search on sampling and sound synthesis to read up on it a bit.

Composer_Chick
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 5:20 pm
Location: Glasgow, KY

Post by Composer_Chick » Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:48 pm

Hello Andy!
Thanks for the info. I guess I didn't have my JAVA Fix :? and I miss stated what I was tring to do. OK I want to record AUDIO from my guitars, I tried using a hand Mic but it picked up to much background noise, is it possible to buy a acoustic guitar pickup and plug it directly into the mic input of the sound card :?: or do I have to get and amp or other thingy to get it to work, or a clip on lapel mic :?:
Looking forward to your thoughts on this :D

GretscGuy
Posts: 434
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Massachusetts USA

Post by GretscGuy » Sat Oct 18, 2003 1:31 pm

Well, it is possible to record your guitar in ProAudio 9. I have been using PA9 since it's introduction and it has served me quite well. I upgraded to Sonar 3 just this week.

At the simpleset level, you need a microphone (assuming your guitars are not electric) and a soundcard (I am assuming your computer has this).

Plug your microphone into your soundcard's 'Line In' (or mic in) jack.

In PA9, instaed of choosing MIDI, choose your soundcard as the source/port.

You will now be able to record your guitar. This won't give you high quality results, but it will work and proibably sound better than the patches on your synth.

andychap
Posts: 685
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2003 7:26 pm
Location: UK

Post by andychap » Sat Oct 18, 2003 8:15 pm

Whwn using a mic you have to make sure you are using the right type. I would think an instrument condenser mic like the Shure PG 81 would be good for straight acoustic guitar and the PG 57 for using an amp.

Background noise is always a problem but a good mic will often only pick up in the local proximity of the instrument only.

You good get an acoustic guitar pick up and plug straight in the sound card but I have always found this a bit harsh as it doesn't seem to pick up the tone of the guitar to well. I always play through an amp and either mic the amp or plug the output of the amp to the line in of the soundcard.

Here is a link for the PG 57 and 81 http://www.shure.com/microphones/perfor ... efault.asp

Hope that helps

Composer_Chick
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 5:20 pm
Location: Glasgow, KY

Post by Composer_Chick » Sat Oct 18, 2003 10:40 pm

Thanks AndyChap & GretscGuy,
I think I'll invest in a good mic, I wasn't sure if the pick-up would capture the tone as well, and by what you say it doesn't. Again Thanks Gents! :D

GretscGuy
Posts: 434
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Massachusetts USA

Post by GretscGuy » Sun Oct 19, 2003 12:55 pm

If you invest in a condensor mic you are also going to have to buy a phantom power supply. Condensor mics are great, but are rather expensive. I was giving my advice based on you wanting to save money.

If you do go the condensor route, check out the Rode NT1. It's a great all around condensor and it is fairly inexpensive.

Best of luck!

Composer_Chick
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 5:20 pm
Location: Glasgow, KY

Post by Composer_Chick » Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:36 pm

Thanks Again GretscGuy,
I found a moderatly priced gutiar mic at the best online auction site, it goes inside the guitar and is rated highly for sound pickup. (I sure hope so)LOL I paid under $25.00 with shipping cost :D It retailed for $90.00 so I hope it will do the job! I'll let you know if it was worth it! :lol:

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