Frostymama - Posted - 03/28/2011:  18:49:11

Am really enjoying listening to everyone's MP3s and music files on BHO - totally inspires me and makes me feel connected to all you awesome banjo peeps out there. Kinda like when I walked into my first Grateful Dead show and realized "I'm home!" :)

So help me with the technology - what would I use to record myself playing, and what program would I use to convert it to a MP3?

THANKS!

-Stacey

Edited by - Frostymama on 03/28/2011 18:51:23

me!!! - Posted - 03/28/2011:  19:00:25

well, i really like the TASCAM DP-004

MikeB14 - Posted - 03/28/2011:  19:54:03

I haven't posted any mp3 or such, but I am always in the chat room, now I use a Blue Snowball microphone and have been using Audacity for the recording program which I can edit and export in a mp3 format. The audacity program is a free shareware program that you can download here: audacity.sourceforge.net/ have fun and enjoy.

The KIDD - Posted - 03/28/2011:  20:13:06

Hey Stacy,
If your lookin for a great lil portable tracker that is easy to use, Ill 2nd the suggestion Randy gave for the Tascam DP-004.
Take alook and see if this looks like somethin you'd like?
youtube.com/watch?v=3E8ffdt9k1Q

Vapor - Posted - 03/28/2011:  22:56:42

If you are looking for a simple devide, both Tacam and Zoom by Samsontech have great units. There are the simpler stereo recorders, push a button and record, or as posted above, multi track units. I have seen a lot of people going with the Zoom H2, which has 4 mics and records into wav or mp3 files, and the Zoom H1, which is their 2 mic lower priced model. Tascam has several comparable simple recording units.

If you do not need to mix several tracks together, and make it simple, I suggest to look at these units, listen to them on youtube and then pick one.

There is also a Zoom H2 review, and someone added a Zoom H1 review, check it and the tascam reviews out. I think this may help you.

Edited by - Vapor on 03/28/2011 22:59:30

rudy - Posted - 03/29/2011:  05:27:27

Hi Stacey,
The easiest way to record (without spending any money) is to use your computer if it has a built-in mic, which most newer ones do.
If it has a built-in mic and you're running windows you can use the built in sound recorder to capture your audio. Don't discount it, as the sound can be pretty good using that setup alone. If you're good with starting and stopping you may not need to edit, just convert the resulting wav file to mp3 that can be uploaded here to your home page sound files area.

There are many good wav to mp3 format converters available as free downloads on the web. I have used the free CDex format conversion program for several years now.

It's available here:

cdexos.sourceforge.net/

The next step up the computer recording food chain is to purchase a separate mic, cable, and inexpensive single channel usb interface to use in conjunction with your computer. They can be used with your PC's included sound recorder mentioned above. There are several free sound recording/editing programs also available, although there will be a learning curve for them.

Alternatively, purchasing a small external recorder may be an option for you. There are many inexpensive units as mentioned previously that can record directly to the mp3 format used here at the hangout. The advantage of having one is that it can be used anywhere. They are quite handy at jams to catch a new tune or two for practice.

I'm assuming that you want to do this inexpensively, hence my suggestions. Once you get your feet wet in the recording thing the sky is the limit. It really does depend on how much you want to spend. Digital recording today sounds quite good with what is freely available and sounds better the more you spend, although I'd say the increase in the quality of sound is linear with a corresponding exponential increase in money spent!

Start cheap and have fun!

Edited by - rudy on 03/29/2011 05:31:42

Trewq36 - Posted - 03/29/2011:  06:57:00

Yea Stacey like Rudy said.
Your computer should be good enough to get you started. If however it does not have a built in Microphone then get a USB Mic, such as the Blue Snowball. You can find USB mics in a wide price range starting around $100 and up.

You should also have a Mini plug on the back of your machine for a Microphone input (the pink one). So you could also look for a Microphones with a Mini plug, you will find these type tend to be Cheap ($20 - $30) and thus crap.

It all depends on your buget and the quality you want. Always remember that Microphones tend to be one of those things where you really get what you pay.

Never Play the Same Thing Once....yoR

Edited by - Trewq36 on 03/29/2011 06:57:48