sound mixing- my kid's latest obsesson

Hmmm my hubby used a program called "Acid" , I think put out by Sony. He got that at Best Buy. I forgot how much it was. He also has a thingymabobber *yeah I know that's real helpful lol* that plugs into the computer via USB and allows a microphone or instruments to be plugged into it, for recording into this program and mixing it up. He got that at Guitar Center.

He had a lot of fun taking mp3's off his cd's and adding his own stuff into it. It was actually not that hard to learn how to use, if he can learn it, anyone can, but it'd be good for a kid just getting into that kind of thing I think.

 

yea acid is a program by sony.. but i'd recommend just downloading a program called cubase off of a torrent or something (you can buy it as well, but yea, it's expensive)..
and yea, just buy a good sound card with a couple mic and MIDI inputs, that's basically the best way to start off if you ask me..

 

There's a great free, open-source, cross-platform recording program called Audacity. You can record multiple tracks, and do a lot of editing too. It's not one of those shitty programs, it's really nice. I've been using it for a few years for whatever I need to record.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net

 

Yeah, I'd definitely let him mess with Audacity and try to get him into that first, since it's the real deal (you can download add-ons for free), though sometimes trials don't last too long and you may have to end up buying, etc.

I like it just fine and it's generally more than what I need.

 

does he have a recorder already? he can mix down into a progrAM CALLED aUDACITY WHICH IS COMPLETELY FREE WITH GREAT FEATURES

 

I like adobe audition, forget paying for the programs just dl via warez or torrents.

 

yeah, cheapest way to hook up a rig to a comp would be to buy a cheap PA used for live mixing and hook it up to a one channel interface.

 

Audacity is amazing. I've been using it for a few years and have created 18 mixes with it. I have to say I'm proud of them too.

 

Thanks for bringing that up

 

Hahahaha!!
Tut tut..

 

The cheapest audio interface I can think of is a Behringer UCA202 but I've got one and really want to get rid of it.

If you want something that will be more practical (you really need a mixing desk if you get the Behringer) and better quality go for an M-Audio Fast Track Pro. It's a bit more into the price range than I'm sure you'd like but you pay for what you get. That also comes with Ableton Live Lite 5 I believe. I use a full version of Ableton 5 and it's a fantastic piece of software.

Personally I think it'd be worth the extra money.

Also you may want a Midi controller of some kind, because the actual Audio Interface won't have one, unless you get a Native Audio Kontrol 1.

In buying a Midi controller it's important to decide whether you just want the keys, just want the knobs, or both. Again, personally I would say both, but that's just me. The keys mean you have a whole other instrument to play with, but the knobs mean you can control your software more intuitively (i.e. you don't have to use your mouse to do EVERYTHING).

However, when a set of knobs is only about £20 cheaper than the full whack (I'm thinking M-Audio Oxygen 49 - 49 keys, plus something like 30 knobs and faders), it's definately worth the extra money in my opinion. I think if you're thinking of going into knob twiddling, it's always worth having the keys because you can play with sounds that you didn't know exist, or sounds that didn't exist until you got there; even if you don't consider yourself a keyboard player in the slightest.

Software wise - Audacity is... fine. There's nothing wrong with Audacity, it does what it does nicely and I have no problem with it. However, it's limited.

Getting an interface with bundled software is always good. Lots of people bundle Cubase (a piece of software I hate) and Ableton (a piece of software I love). When it comes to software however you shouldn't be too pedantic when there's torrent sites - I know that's not totally legal but if you're not making money from it...

Anyway - good luck with your search.

Much Love
Sebbi

 

Hey, I just finished a diploma in it... n honestly? Haha poor you, its a pretty expensive hobby. The best thing you could probably do for him is encourage him to get involved in live sound and get him learnin an instrument, if he wants to be an audio engineer (ya know, twiddling knobs n what not in the studio) that stuff n any contacts he make will come in handy.

 

Hmm i can't suggest any programs or equipment, but a pretty good example of sound engineering is a song called 'Atlas' by Battles. It's not pure mixing as such, as they use software on a laptop to 'twist' the sounds of their equipment (guitar, bass, drums, vocals) as they play. Anyway, I thought it could be a source of inspiration...

 

another site that might be of intrest:

http://www.vintagesynth.com/

yes, it's more about actually MAKING music then just mixing it down, but
it has a LOT of good links (and a few dead ones, but not too many of those),
to all SORTS of software based sound studio stuff.

don't forget audacity (free, honest to goshlywogs absolutely free)
and flexmusic (studio components in the $15.00 to $35.00 range! (with of course free demos))

=^^=
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