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[Stripey]

Originally Posted by Blingking

Okay, success!

I managed to get a lead etc, but the record volume is very very low. I'm just plugging straight into my PC mic socket. Do I need some thing to do between my guitar and the PC. I tried a mic up to my cab, but it needed too much volume to get a flicker on the VU meter.
What next!!!!!
Help.
BK

You will need a preamp to make it useable, but you could just get something like this Behringer GUITAR LINK UCG102 at DV247.COM for 30 quid.

In the long run you would be better off buying a budget audio interface like this Tapco Link USB at DV247.COM which gives you more flexibility and isn't much more expensive.

[soundian]

Originally Posted by Blingking

Okay, success!

I managed to get a lead etc, but the record volume is very very low. I'm just plugging straight into my PC mic socket. Do I need some thing to do between my guitar and the PC. I tried a mic up to my cab, but it needed too much volume to get a flicker on the VU meter.
What next!!!!!
Help.
BK

The mic should work, maybe not studio quality but it should work.
Make sure you're getting the correct side if you're putting a mono signal into a stereo mic input.

[Blingking]

Do I need one of these?

AdrenaLinn III or is there a software package which does the same?

Thanks for the info so far.
BK

[HairyScaryMark]

Some good advice so far.
This is what I would do....

Download reaper. It only costs £20 and has a free trial that never runs out, apparently. It is also said to be better than many of the ones you pay real money for, in some ways at least. REAPER | Download

Download this pack of plugins for free digitalfishphones.com - free audio effects plugins

Get an SM57 or similar and some form of condensor mic.

Also get an interface with built in microphone pre amps.

This one will do the job to start you off TASCAM and is little over £100.

If you have a bit more money, baring the future in mind you might be better off getting something like a Presonus FP10 (previously known as firepod) for under £350 PreSonus It would allow you to record a drum kit and possibly even an entire band (with some compromises) at once.

[HairyScaryMark]

Originally Posted by Blingking

Okay, success!

I managed to get a lead etc, but the record volume is very very low. I'm just plugging straight into my PC mic socket. Do I need some thing to do between my guitar and the PC. I tried a mic up to my cab, but it needed too much volume to get a flicker on the VU meter.
What next!!!!!
Help.
BK

That is because it is at the wrong level. Line level is about +4 DB whereas mic is -40db. You need to record at line level so you need a microphone pre amp to bring it to the correct level.

The PC 'mic' socket really wont be up to the job.

Originally Posted by Blingking

Do I need one of these?

AdrenaLinn III or is there a software package which does the same?

Thanks for the info so far.
BK

I have not heard of AdrenaLinn III before. The popular software amp modellers are IK multimedia Amplitube and Native Instruments Guitar Rig. You are better off saving up your money for a good 'real' amplifier and recording it but these amp modellers sound better than a low quality 'real' amplifier.

There is also some free amp modellers around that you could try out. I have never used any but some of them are meant to be good. This would be a good starting point to look Who needs pirating...Best free stuff - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

[scottST]

for cheap easy recording, i'd recommend the line 6 toneport UX1.

it's cheap, and easy. and doesnt sound toooooooooooo bad.

[Huw]

Originally Posted by HairyScaryMark

Also get an interface with built in microphone pre amps.

If you have a bit more money, baring the future in mind you might be better off getting something like a Presonus FP10 (previously known as firepod) for under £350 PreSonus It would allow you to record a drum kit and possibly even an entire band (with some compromises) at once.

Right , i understand the interface with built in preamps, but if i had a mic preamp eg. SM Pro Audio EP84 what interface would you use to get that working with the computer? ie. are there firewire interfaces without preamps?

The presonus looks good.

[HairyScaryMark]

Yet again, it depends how much money you have and if you have enough pre amps for all the microphones you want to use at the same time.

As far as I understand. The SM Pro Audio EP84 can either be used as as a set of mic pre amps, connecting the line outs to another device used as an AD converter. More likely you would use the ADAT option then plug it into the ADAT input of another interface

Some posibilities with ADAT connections are;
Presonus Firestudio
MOTU 828
MOTU traveller
RME hammerfall
RME fireface
Mackie Onyx 1200

Apogee make stuff that is a step up from that, but it really depends how much money you are willing to spend.

You are looking at quite a subtancial amount of money if you get this stuff so you need to make sure you are going to get enough use out of it to make it worthwhile. Also, buy yourself a good book about recording, as you will get better results if you learn more about what you are doing. I cannot recommend a specific book but I have been quite impressed by what I have read by 'Bob Katz'.

[Huw]

Originally Posted by HairyScaryMark

Yet again, it depends how much money you have and if you have enough pre amps for all the microphones you want to use at the same time.

As far as I understand. The SM Pro Audio EP84 can either be used as as a set of mic pre amps, connecting the line outs to another device used as an AD converter. More likely you would use the ADAT option then plug it into the ADAT input of another interface

Some posibilities with ADAT connections are;
Presonus Firestudio
MOTU 828
MOTU traveller
RME hammerfall
RME fireface
Mackie Onyx 1200

Apogee make stuff that is a step up from that, but it really depends how much money you are willing to spend.

You are looking at quite a subtancial amount of money if you get this stuff so you need to make sure you are going to get enough use out of it to make it worthwhile. Also, buy yourself a good book about recording, as you will get better results if you learn more about what you are doing. I cannot recommend a specific book but I have been quite impressed by what I have read by 'Bob Katz'.

so the best option would be a integrated preamp/firewire interface

[HairyScaryMark]

Originally Posted by Huw [Fault&Fracture]

so the best option would be a integrated preamp/firewire interface

That really depends on what you are after. Something like that tends to be more economical for someone starting off and gets you results that are reasonable. Also been a bit of an expansion in the market during recently years of type of devices as home recording becomes more popular.

The device you pointed to earlier requires you to have something else to plug it into and has 8 built in pre amps.