Check out
your soundcard.
If you have a relatively new computer
you may already have a
1/4 inch input and midi or joystick port which makes everything simple - you just
plug in your guitar/mic/keyboard and start recording. Quality sound card packages
may include a "patch bay" which may include a
1/4 inch input and line mixer, giving you a far
superior sound.
You can always go to an electronics supply store and purchase a
converter plug for about 5 bucks for input into a standard soundcard.
You may need a line mixer between the instrument and the computer - a good
example would be a "rockman" type box which boosts the signal so
the computer can see it. Effects can be added on input or after with
audio editing software.
Once
you have a .wav or .aiff file you have to decide how you
want to listen or serve that file. The same song may be saved in 5 different formats
on your hard drive depending on your use of that file at the time. Using special software
(these conversion features are standard on quality audio software) just convert it to the
desired format,(example would be .wav to MP3 or
.wav
to .wma (Windows Media Audio)
Real Audio or Windows Media files
arrive at your computer faster and may be "streamed" or play while
downloading. This effect is achieved using special compression technologies applied
to the musical file when converted using an audio editing program.
Same file - different format and application
Note: If you already have
your music on CD (which your computer can already read in your CD-ROM drive) there is CD
"capture" or "ripping" software
Streaming audio is a very interesting concept.
Since you have to launch a "player" program through your browser
(examples would be Real Audio and Windows Media) you actually create and upload to the
server not just one - but 2 files. One content (your song or video) and one that is
a direction to the browser to play that content. This method of downloading is
excellent since not only do your start to experience the file immediately the file itself
is much smaller due to the compression used and and therefore easier to store when
compared to MP3's. Real
Audio is your other choice and streams quite well just via http:// on a low
volume basis from your shared web hosting account. A quick tutorial on how to stream Real Audio
is available here
If
you are a musician you should be aware of Midi
For a computer it is easy to "record"
notes from an electronic keyboard or digital drumset in the language of midi, since
as you play it remembers the strength of your hit, how long the sustain was, any effect
applied, etc - these become the midi parameters for that event. The computer does
not have to remember all the activities that happened for a given period of time
throughout the entire frequency range audible to the human ear (a .wav or CD quality
sound) just which note to play (1 of 128 on a soundcard) and how hard to hit it, any
effect applied, etc .
When you hit the keys or pads, this action is
"recorded" in "midi format" through the "sequencer" program
(Example: Cakewalk) to the hard-disc of your computer. It can then played back
through your soundcard or drum module and your "sequencer" software. When
played back through the computer, the card or sound module then determines how it sounds
based on the recorded information and the "samples" available in it's memory.
The same file may sound completely different depending on the sounds available to
the computer when played back. A $5000.00 Roland keyboard run through a P.A. will
sound alot better than your computer's soundcard through your $15.00 speakers.
Same file - different voicings available to the soundcard
Recording
midi using ANY keyboard
More
info for guitar players
More info for
drummers
Taking
it on the road
Playing live using midi and your computer
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