Subject:Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Posted by: nitlion

Date:1/6/2005 5:56:12 AM

My 12 year old just received Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio for Christmas. She wants me to get a microphone so she can record her own audio onto this program. She has a keyboard and an acoustic/electric guitar and amp. We are both new and inexperinced with Sound Forge but are willing to learn and experiment.

Any recommendations for what type of microphone I need to get for her and how it hooks up to the computer. Stopped at a music store and the guy had no idea.

Thanks for the help.
Dennis

Subject:RE: Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Reply by: pb

Date:1/6/2005 11:07:35 AM

I like AKGs and Shures; however, some of the other forum members are much more qualified to suggest mics for recording singing. I use the AKGs and Shures because they are all I have, you see.

As for input, you need to get a small audio mixer such as a Mackie 1202 VLZ (12 channel mic/line Mixer) then run your output to the PC's audio line in. I've seen 1202s on EBay from time to time at ridiculously low prices (and kick myself for buying NEW!). the 1202 has phantom power for mics requiring it.

You will need a multi-channel audio mixing program to combine the keyboard, guitar and vocal tracks. Did Sound Forge come with Vegas Lite?

Peter

Subject:RE: Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Reply by: nitlion

Date:1/6/2005 12:49:55 PM

Peter,
Thanks for the information. I will check to see if it came with Vegas Lite. My coworker has a new but never used Tascam Mixer with I believe 8 inputs. He said it should work well with Sound Forge. He is also getting details for me. We are working on a trade. Thanks again for the help. This is all new to me but my daughter is very enthusiastic about it. I have no music experience myself and I thank you for the help.
Dennis

Subject:RE: Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Reply by: nitlion

Date:1/7/2005 9:07:34 AM

Peter,
My coworker gave me his Tascam US-428 Mixer Board today. Looks great. He said it should work very good with Sound Forge. We will find out. Will get a Shure Mic this weekend and we should be good to go. I will let you know how we make out. Thanks again for taking the time to help me. I have no musical expertice whatsoever but encourage my children and can not help but learn as I assist them.
Dennis

Subject:RE: Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Reply by: MJhig

Date:1/7/2005 9:23:02 AM

While you will be able to record her this way, Sound Forge is really not the app. for this kind of work. Everything will be mixed to one file so you will have no control in terms of adjusting the vocal or keyboard separately as Sound Forge is a Stereo editor.

The far better tool is Vegas as it's a multi-track recording (video also) app. You can record the vocals and keys to separate tracks and even come back and add additional tracks (drums, bass parts etc).

That said assuming you have a consumer sound card with a stereo mini-plug line in, you can get a stereo mini-plug male split to two female jacks, either RCA or 1/4" depending on what the mixer uses and record the keys to L and the vocals to R in Sound Forge giving you some control in post. Certainly not elegant but better than an already mixed file.

MJ

Subject:RE: Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Reply by: mpd

Date:1/7/2005 2:53:09 PM

If anyone is interested, the Tascam US-428 has a USB interface. That was a nice trade, BTW. The going street price is about $300 or so.

Edited to add that newer purchases also include a copy of Cubase LE.

Subject:RE: Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Reply by: pb

Date:1/9/2005 8:55:55 AM

That's a heck of a good deal!

BTW: there are some steal-of-a-deals for mics on EBay for you folks south of the border. We Canadians get hammered with brokerage fees and shipping but for folk living in the US there are many opprotunities to get super deals on excellent mics.

For my fellow Canadians: if you can get the seller to send via USPS and mark that the package is a gift you can usually avoid that 35 dollar brokerage, 5$ handling fee and the GST!

Peter

Subject:RE: Microphone Hookup- Lil Help Please

Reply by: nitlion

Date:1/10/2005 2:12:03 PM

MPD,

Thanks for the information. Went on Tascam website and they said they will send me the software for Cubase free of charge.

I am very new to Sound Fforge. Trying to get Sound Forge to recognize the Tascam Mixer Board. I have no software for Tascam 428 and really have no idea what I am doing but want to at least get her up and runningso my daughter can mess around with it. I do have the USB cord and did try and hook it up to the computer but could not figure out what to do form there. I know I need to spend some time on it but if you have any suggestions they would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Dennis