>>>I need to record some piano music on a CD. I was wondering, is there a cheap way of doing it (aside from going to professional studio) with a microphone and some software on a PC? If yes, what software would I need?
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>>>TIA.
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>>Dmitry;
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>>My friend Pat Harris in Portland and I created a handbook for recording flamenco guitar. In it we discuss the finer points of recording with a computer. There are examples with different sound cards such as low-end cards, mid range cards and professional cards. Also an example is given of stereo recording compared to mono. Stereo is the clear winner.
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>>Some things to consider:
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>>1. The software used.
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>>A. http://www.fasoft.com/ has a program called N-Track which has a free version. The full version is about $45.
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>>B. http://europe.magix.com/index.php?263 Magix Studio 2004 Deluxe is about $80.
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>>I use both progams at different times of course! :)
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>>2. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=031117132658067123177174807620/g=home/search/detail/base_id/57858 I strongly suggest a good pre amp such as that provided my ART. I use the TPS model, which runs about $139. It is two channel (stereo) with a voicing switch to optimize the type of sound you are recording. Also it has a build in limiter that prevents the audio signal from going above 0 db, which will cause distortion. Also it has VU meters so you know what level you are recording at.
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>>3. The microphone should be a condenser type. The Rode NT-1A is very good for about $200.
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>>One of the rules is to not plug your microphone into the microphone jack of your sound card. You should use the line input instead.
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>>That said, the cheapest way to go is try your microphone into the microphone jack of your sound card and use N-Track. See if you like the results and if not you can slowly upgrade your equipment.
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>>Any questions - give me a blast at home via e-mail.
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>>By the way I teach piano and guitar. At age 15 our son was ranked as a concert pianist. Our daughter is also a good pianist. Both children also play guitar. I wonder why? :)
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>>Tom
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>Tom,
>
>Thank you so much for a detailed and very helpful message. I think I will try a "cheap" approach - a microphone into n-Track. But I will need to find out if the sound card in my notebook is any good. How do you determine if the sound card is the appropriate type for what I am trying to do? The problem is that if it is not, I would not know how to install a new sound card into a Dell notebook. Do you know if you can have an external sound card?
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>Also, what is the "line input" you recommend to have for a microphone? Is this a hardware or software?
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>I envy you that you play both piano and guitar on a professional lever. I also play both guitar and piano but only on a very basic lever (I am self-taught). But the recording I need to do is for my daughter. She is applying to colleges and being a good piano player thought that it would be nice to submit some of her work (even though she is probably do only minor in music).
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>Thank you.
>
>Dmitry


Dimitry;

The line input is typically on a sound card on a desktop PC. I have a good notebook computer with built in microphones that do a good job. You never know until you try.

My wife arranged for our son Brian, to have an audition at Santa Clara University, and he reluctantly did so. After the audition the Chair of the department accepted him under one condition – our son would be the student of the Chair! That is a great honor. However, our son wanted nothing to do with it.

Brian said he would have to borrow money (student loans), work full time, go to school full time and practice at least 8 hours a day. So Brian became a history major, completed college in 3 ½ years, and graduated in June with a degree in history. He also worked full time to help pay for his education! Brian is now teaching Grammar School and loves it!

Good luck with your recording project. It is fun to help our children and has great payback.

Tom