ok guys I'm wanting to expand the music i make by adding things such as guitar riffs and maybe even vocals.

My friend and i (due to our teenage budget) only use a midi keyboard and the software "reason" to create our songs. On occassion we have jammed with another friend who does guitar solo's ontop which seems to add much more depth to our songs.

I was just wondering what would be good way of being able to record these (eg what microphones to buy, software to use etc)

any ideas would be muchly appreciated

cheers,

Jittem

I hear that sellotaping loads of loo rolls into one long tube is what some musicians do

Certainly not going to be able to record using Reason, tell you that much. Look for a proggy you can record from your Line-In like sound recorder :P

I use Acid for my recordings.

First, torrent any version of Cubase. Then, get a firepod. They're pretty cheap on ebay, but very exspensive new. Then you're set.

yea i knew reason wouldnt do any voices.. hence why i was asking what programs to use Mikey :P

thanks for the advice prochem, checking it out now

or you use the freeware "audacity" to record your stuff. but with reason and cubase together you can rewire it.

the reason the firepod's are cheap on e-bay is because they've got a massive habit of going wrong. hence the dreadful re-sale value.

you really need to establish a budget and do some research. at entry level M-Audio's stuff isn't tooooo bad. if you're planning to record straight into your soundcard look for a soundcard with good pre-amps etc. read some reviews. get up to speed on the terminology and what you're looking for.

DAW wise - find a copy of cubase and get to know it. If you're happy using reason then it should make some sense. it'll allow you to record & edit audio and as has already been mentioned you can re-wire reason to cubase and use cubase to mix down your project.

If your soundcard has instrument inputs you can d/i (plug yer mates guitar) straight into your soundcard, record the guitar and then you can use something like Native Instrument Guitar Rig to get a nice guitar tone.

mic wise. this depends on your budget really. read up on microphones.....sound on sound magazines website is a mine of information. it's choc full of detailed reviews, guides etc..

basically a dynamic mic like a shure sm is robust, affordable and you'll be able to record a host of different instruments. it won't however sound too detailed - vocals & acoustic guitar would normally be recorded with a condenser mic - have a look at the basic models by rode if you're wanting to make higher quality vocal recordings.

the best advice I can give is to read up on these things. don't take random advice from people on forums. if you're on a limited budget the best thing you can do is make an informed choice and get the best you can for the money.

thanks for the suggestions mchebne..i dont think money is really the issue, its just the amount of time it takes me to get it hahaha.

btw i was also wondering what people use to change the sound of vocals, a prime example would be how Daft Punk change their vocals. Is it software or hardware...or both?

Talk box and time stretching, its a necessity

various ways:

vocoder...80's electro pressure

talkbox...roger troutman & peter frampton pressure

autotune....current R&B and erm cher pressure

the vocoder and the talkbox allow you to modulate a signal, usually a synth or guitar with your voice (or the shape of your mouth in the case of the talkbox).

auto-tune is pitch correction software.

R&B producers love over-using it to give you that robotic sound. snoops current single 'sensual seduction' is auto-tune central.

as you're a reason user have a bash with it's vocoder. loads of tutorials if you stick "reason vocoder' into google. great with the voice - try sticking a beat through it too.

ohhh sweet as man thanks mchebne. didn't know you could do voice things within reason