I am stuck in Toledo again and I had taken my recording studio with me but this time I didn't because I thought I would only be here a few days. Its almost a month now and I want to record some new tunes I wrote for the guitar and mandolin but all I have is this Gateway laptop with XP. I know it has a stereo mike input and I got a couple of lapel mikes from radio shack, if it works, its just for notes basically so I don't forget the new tunes, then record for real when I get back home.
But can you do stuff like monitor the recorded audio while its recording so you can hear it in headphones? Also how do you set levels? Anyone ever try this stuff? Thanks ahead of time. Don.
Originally posted by sonhouseYou would need an audio tool like Soundforge. You can monitor levels and listen to it while you are recording.
I am stuck in Toledo again and I had taken my recording studio with me but this time I didn't because I thought I would only be here a few days. Its almost a month now and I want to record some new tunes I wrote for the guitar and mandolin but all I have is this Gateway laptop with XP. I know it has a stereo mike input and I got a couple of lapel mikes from ...[text shortened]... headphones? Also how do you set levels? Anyone ever try this stuff? Thanks ahead of time. Don.
Think you might be able to get an evaluation copy that works for few days.. (and the crack for it if you are like the rest of us...)
I have recently downloaded Audacity (which is free), and it works nicely, only I can't listen to what I am recording while recording it, which is really annoying. But I think that has to do with the laptop, not with Audacity. I had the same problem with a different program, but only when I used it on the laptop. I can't figure out why.
Originally posted by PeachyYeah, have alll that and more, wavelab, protools, Sonar, etc., but I never installed any of it on this laptop so it'b bare naked soundwise.
You would need an audio tool like Soundforge. You can monitor levels and listen to it while you are recording.
Think you might be able to get an evaluation copy that works for few days.. (and the crack for it if you are like the rest of us...)
So audacity sounds like a good bet, hope I can monitor like Noodles says she can't.
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveI have audacity at home, but haven't used it yet. So downloaded from your link and got it installed ok, but it looks like I need mike preamps to pump the mike levels up, tried to record with just the mikes in the front of laptop but it clearly wasn't even close to enough gain, so it looks like you have to amplify to line level, which is what I suspected but wasn't sure till I tried it. Also, with audacity, do you have to assign a sound card input and output to it or does it get hooked up automatically? Thanks for the help.
I think you should be able to do it with Audacity - just make sure you set it to monitor input.
I only use it for recording stuff online but I'm pretty sure you can do it.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
edit: ooo beaten to it.
Originally posted by sonhouseYou can get in-line pre amps (plug in power) for next to nothing. I got one off e bay for a few pounds. You can also use a mini disc player to supply plug in power. Mic to line in, and 3.5 mm jack lead from your minidisc player to your sound card line in. This method can also be used to adjust the line volume level. Hope this helps.
I have audacity at home, but haven't used it yet. So downloaded from your link and got it installed ok, but it looks like I need mike preamps to pump the mike levels up, tried to record with just the mikes in the front of laptop but it clearly wasn't even close to enough gain, so it looks like you have to amplify to line level, which is what I suspected but ...[text shortened]... ound card input and output to it or does it get hooked up automatically? Thanks for the help.
Jim
2 edits
Originally posted by sonhouseI think the sound card is the default - I would check out their forum , it seems quite helpful.
I have audacity at home, but haven't used it yet. So downloaded from your link and got it installed ok, but it looks like I need mike preamps to pump the mike levels up, tried to record with just the mikes in the front of laptop but it clearly wasn't even close to enough gain, so it looks like you have to amplify to line level, which is what I suspected but ound card input and output to it or does it get hooked up automatically? Thanks for the help.
http://audacityteam.org/forum/forum/10
I also read on there;
"yes you can set Audacity to play the sound as it is recording"
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveIn my case I think its the level of the mike that is the main problem.
I think the sound card is the default - I would check out their forum , it seems quite helpful.
http://audacityteam.org/forum/forum/10
I also read on there;
"yes you can set Audacity to play the sound as it is recording"
I see the recording process happening and see noise making the bar graph jump up and down a little and at one point something caused a fairly large noise spike which was duly recorded and during playback I think I actually heard ii in my earbuds so it looks like I need about 60 db of gain to get me where I can record. So next stop, some place that has a cheapo mike preamp. Too bad I didn't at least bring a simple amp with me, it would have gotten me over the hump. Live and learn.
Originally posted by sonhouseThis any good? 😛
In my case I think its the level of the mike that is the main problem.
I see the recording process happening and see noise making the bar graph jump up and down a little and at one point something caused a fairly large noise spike which was duly recorded and during playback I think I actually heard ii in my earbuds so it looks like I need about 60 db of ga ...[text shortened]... n't at least bring a simple amp with me, it would have gotten me over the hump. Live and learn.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270065127722&rd=1&rd=1
Originally posted by jimslyp69Interesting little gadget. I just got a couple of lapel mikes from Radio Shack, it has a button battery, don't know if its for an amp or needed for the electret, the idea of an electret is it has the electric field equivalent of a permenant magnet and doesn't need power usually. So I am guessing its a little amp. My buddy I am working with here in Toledo suggests that maybe the problem is I tried to hook up stereo mikes when in fact the input plug is probably only mono. Taking a close look at the mike input on this gateway and the earphone jack, they both look the same so maybe its stereo. I guess I am still needing a mike preamp. News at 11! Thanks for the help guys.
This any good? 😛
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270065127722&rd=1&rd=1