Recording Digital Audio Using your Computer

Thomas Rudolph, Ed. D.

Director of MusicSchool District of Haverford Township

1801 Darby Road Havertown, PA 19083

(610) 853-5900 extension 5452

email: terudolph@aol.comwww.geocities.com/terudolph/time

Sponsored by SoundTree 800-963-8733

Recording Digital AudioChoose the right tool

• What is the goal?– Student use in a lab setting– Recording student practice sessions– Creating CDs for student use– Recording live concerts – Developing a Recording Studio in the school *

Two Software Types

• Primarily Digital Audio– 2-Track Digital Audio Software– Multitrack digital audio - ProTools

• Primarily MIDI – MIDI sequencer with digital audio capability

This session will focus on primarily digital audio applications *

Digital Audio Options

• Using the Computer– Built-in hardware– Using a DSP (digital signal processing) device

• Stand-Alone Recording Units – CD Recorders– Multitrack Units– Can be transferred to the computer for editing *

Low-Cost OptionNo Additional Hardware

• Advantages = least expensive

• Disadvantages = sound quality is poor

• What is needed:– Windows or Mac Computer with CD Burner – Large hard drive– Digital Audio Software - 2-track (under $100) *

Low-cost Windows

• Windows Hardware: – Plug microphone into SoundCard– Or buy a USB Mic input device ($39.00)– Purchase an Audio Card ($125.00)

• M-Audio cards *

Windows Software

• Stereo 2-track software– Purchase SoundForge Studio ($99.00)

• Live recordings

• Edit CD tracks *

Audio Low-cost Mac

• Macintosh Hardware: – Using built-in microphone ports– Newer Macs - must purchase USB mic input

device: iMic from Griffin Technologies ($39.00) *

Macintosh Software

• Stereo 2-track software– Purchase Peak LE ($99.00)

• Live recordings

• Edit CD tracks *

Stepping Up

• Much improved quality of sound– Use all types of microphones– Record multiple tracks– Record MIDI and Digital Audio

• Cautions– Requires a robust computer – Uses lots of hard drive space– Takes time to learn *

Stepping Up and Up Options

• Digidesign (ProTools) Multitrack Recording– MBox - portable recording ($499)– Digi001 ($1,000)– Digi002 ($2,500) *

Microphones

• Must use quality microphones– Condenser mics for concert recording

• Audio Technica Stereo Condenser mic– AT825 - $375.00– AT822 - $350.00

– Dynamic mics for close positioning (drum set, soloists)• Shure SM58 ($100) *

ProTools Recording Options

• Multiple tracks of audio• Can also record MIDI *

Basic Terms

• DSP - Digital Signal Processing

• Digital Audio - digital recording of audio sounds.

• MIDI - Digital piano roll - performance information only.

• AIFF/WAV file formats - required to burn a CD. AIFF = Mac and WAV = Windows.

• File size: MIDI = small; Audio large *

MIDI Sequencers and Digital Audio

Primarily MIDI and some digital audio• Mac:

– MicroLogic by emagic ($99.00)– Digital Performer by MOTU ($300)

• Windows:– Home Studio 2002 by Cakewalk ($69.00)– Band-in-a-Box by PGMusic ($88) – Sonar by Cakewalk ($300) *

MIDI and Digital Audio

Converting MIDI to Digital Audio

• MIDI tracks - create from scratch or import from existing files

• Re-record MIDI tracks as Audio to burn a CD.– Route MIDI output to input of the recording

software and re-record as digital audio track *

Burning CDs

• Mac:– iTunes - Free software from Apple.– Toast (www.roxio.com)

• Windows– EZ CD Creator (WIN)

Stand-Alone Recorders

• Superscope CD-Recorder

• Can edit CDs using 2-track audio software– Peak (Mac)– SoundForge Studio (Win)

Where to get help

• Contact SoundTree - for hardware/software and support 800-963-8733

• Book - Recording in the Digital World by Rudolph/Leonard

• Join TI:ME - Technology Institute for Music Educators www.ti-me.org