Hey everybody,
I was just wondering what programs you use to record your mixes, and within those programs what settings to do you use to make the mix sound good. I've only tried one, Sound Forge 6.0 at 32kbps, and I must say, i didn't like it too much. my fader was set on smooth, and the sound wasn't as "crisp" as a home production should be. i set my fader to sharp, and it sounded better, but half the spectrum had been cut off. Also, i was wondering if changing my sound card would help at all. currently, i'm using the sound card that came on my motherboard, probably just a basic soundblaster something. if you guys have an idea of a better sound card please let me know. i'd love to hear from you guys.

thanx

vipal

Buy a MINIDISK !

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quote:

Originally posted by IKKI-ZUVK Buy a MINIDISK !

agreed... a minidisc player fits in your pocket, much easier to plug it into your mixer than to stuff around moving your computer out to the decks.

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well, i'm still just a hobby dj, but i'd like to listen to my mixes in my car, find out where i need to improve. the way that i have it set up right now, is that my decks are right next to my computer, and there's really no hassle to plugging it all in, it's all just an extra cord that runs into my computer...does anyone know a recording program that will record from the line in instead of the mic

thanx

Soundforge 6

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If you're not getting a MD player, I also recommend soundforge.

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quote:

Originally posted by Push2005 Ik ben net terug begonnen met cassettes op te kopen... Die pitchcontrol is echt ongelofelijk !

how would you use a minidisc player? use the analog or the optical recording device, and what cable would i need to plug the minidisc into my mixer? my mixer doesn't have an optical out, but perhaps if i plug my mixer into my sony stereo it might work, the stereo has an optical out, although i'm not sure if that's for CDs only or anything that comes out of the stereo

I use Audio Hijack Pro (mac)

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quote:

Originally posted by liquidmist2001 ... Also, i was wondering if changing my sound card would help at all. currently, i'm using the sound card that came on my motherboard, probably just a basic soundblaster something. if you guys have an idea of a better sound card please let me know. i'd love to hear from you guys. thanx vipal

Yes, changing the sound card will make a difference. THe sound cards that come integrated with system boards are not meant to do studi/audio work, most arent even 16bit.
A cheap alternative in getting something better would be a sound blaster live, as you can get one for about 40-50 bucks online.
If you want something that is more studio quality like, you can buy yourself a 24bit sound card, such as an M-Audio one, for as little as $150. Then you can record in 24bit/96kHz.
It all depends on your budget and how good quality of recordings you want.
When you are referring to home production, what are you recording from? What is your source?
If its mixing from Turntables, then keep in mind that if you get a great sound card, it wont help if you have crap needles. If your source has shitty quality, the program and sound card will record shitty quality.
In terms of programs, Ive used Sound Forge, Cool Edit Pro and currently Wavelab by steinberg. If your recording in 16bit, Id go with Cool Edit Pro. Quality is just as good, but the features are insane, and its easy to use. If your doing 24bit recording, Id go with Wavelab or Sound Forge (as cool edit pro does not support 24 bit recording).
Minidisc? portable? I wouldnt get one if its quality that your after. CD quality is still better as it uses less compression.

Soundforge 6.0 is what i use.

As for a MD, they are allright, very convenient to use, but you WILL lose sound quality due to the ATRAC compression. It's OK for making CDs for the car, or to hand out to friends, but if you want a full quality CD release, i reccomend going straight to the computer.

One MAJOR problem and misconception of MD is that you can record it analog and then transfer to the computer digitally. you CAN'T do this, at least not on SONY ones. they have deliberately engineered it so that you can not transfer analogue recorded material digitally. They did this to thwart copyright infringement.

The only way to get your mix off the MD onto the computer is to play it out the headphone jack of the MD (introducing another digital to analog conversion), then in the line in of your sound card (converting back to digital) and record (with soundforge or whatever you use). This also means if you have an hour long mix, you have to wait an hour while it transfers, and preferably not use your computer during this time to make sure it doesn't skip or anything.

So, you have to record analog with your computer anyway, may as well just record it straight into your sound card in the first place, unless of course, like me, your decks and computer are in different places and you can't do this.

Another disadvantage of MD is that your recording time is limited to only 80 minutes in standard mode. Enough to record a single CD, but if you want to record a long mix, you have to use LP or LP2 compression, both which degrade the sound (LP2 is especially bad, it removes a large amount of the bass, and is very noticeably lacking)

If you use LP you can get 2 hours 40 minutes, and in 2LP mode, you can get 5 hours 20 minutes, which still wouldn't be enough, say to record a whole party or something.

with a computer, you are limited only by the size of your harddrive, and you can record straight to it, without a lossy intermediate step.

As for soundcards, you mobo soundcard is definitely not of high quality. I would suggest an M-Audio 24/96 for recording, that's what i plan on getting.

http://www.m-audio.net/products/m-audio/audiophile.php

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the m-audio is a good idea, but i'll have to wait on getting that, but i'm not sure how good the sound quality would be overall, also, wondering about what program specifically to use, i don't like soundforge, someone told me about cakewalk sonar, and i will be trying that next, if any good comes out of it i'll let you guys know, thanx for the advice though, that card looks to be pretty good