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Recording Digital Audio Using your Computer. Thomas Rudolph, Ed. D. Director of Music School District of Haverford Township 1801 Darby Road Havertown, PA 19083 (610) 853-5900 extension 5452 email: terudolph@aol.com www.geocities.com/terudolph/time. Sponsored by SoundTree
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Recording Digital Audio Using your Computer • Thomas Rudolph, Ed. D. • Director of Music • School District of Haverford Township • 1801 Darby Road • Havertown, PA 19083 • (610) 853-5900 extension 5452 • email: terudolph@aol.com • www.geocities.com/terudolph/time Sponsored by SoundTree 800-963-8733
Recording Digital AudioChoose the right tool • What is the goal? • Student use in a lab setting • Recording student practice sessions • Creating CDs for student use • Recording live concerts • Developing a Recording Studio in the school *
Two Software Types • Primarily Digital Audio • 2-Track Digital Audio Software • Multitrack digital audio - ProTools • Primarily MIDI • MIDI sequencer with digital audio capability This session will focus on primarily digital audio applications *
Digital Audio Options • Using the Computer • Built-in hardware • Using a DSP (digital signal processing) device • Stand-Alone Recording Units • CD Recorders • Multitrack Units • Can be transferred to the computer for editing *
Low-Cost OptionNo Additional Hardware • Advantages = least expensive • Disadvantages = sound quality is poor • What is needed: • Windows or Mac Computer with CD Burner • Large hard drive • Digital Audio Software - 2-track (under $100) *
Low-cost Windows • Windows Hardware: • Plug microphone into SoundCard • Or buy a USB Mic input device ($39.00) • Purchase an Audio Card ($125.00) • M-Audio cards *
Windows Software • Stereo 2-track software • Purchase SoundForge Studio ($99.00) • Live recordings • Edit CD tracks *
Audio Low-cost Mac • Macintosh Hardware: • Using built-in microphone ports • Newer Macs - must purchase USB mic input device: iMic from Griffin Technologies ($39.00) *
Macintosh Software • Stereo 2-track software • Purchase Peak LE ($99.00) • Live recordings • Edit CD tracks *
Stepping Up • Much improved quality of sound • Use all types of microphones • Record multiple tracks • Record MIDI and Digital Audio • Cautions • Requires a robust computer • Uses lots of hard drive space • Takes time to learn *
Stepping Up and Up Options • Digidesign (ProTools) Multitrack Recording • MBox - portable recording ($499) • Digi001 ($1,000) • Digi002 ($2,500) *
Microphones • Must use quality microphones • Condenser mics for concert recording • Audio Technica Stereo Condenser mic • AT825 - $375.00 • AT822 - $350.00 • Dynamic mics for close positioning (drum set, soloists) • Shure SM58 ($100) *
ProTools Recording Options • Multiple tracks of audio • Can also record MIDI *
Basic Terms • DSP - Digital Signal Processing • Digital Audio - digital recording of audio sounds. • MIDI - Digital piano roll - performance information only. • AIFF/WAV file formats - required to burn a CD. AIFF = Mac and WAV = Windows. • File size: MIDI = small; Audio large *
MIDI Sequencers and Digital Audio Primarily MIDI and some digital audio • Mac: • MicroLogic by emagic ($99.00) • Digital Performer by MOTU ($300) • Windows: • Home Studio 2002 by Cakewalk ($69.00) • Band-in-a-Box by PGMusic ($88) • Sonar by Cakewalk ($300) *
Converting MIDI to Digital Audio • MIDI tracks - create from scratch or import from existing files • Re-record MIDI tracks as Audio to burn a CD. • Route MIDI output to input of the recording software and re-record as digital audio track *
Burning CDs • Mac: • iTunes - Free software from Apple. • Toast (www.roxio.com) • Windows • EZ CD Creator (WIN)
Stand-Alone Recorders • Superscope CD-Recorder • Can edit CDs using 2-track audio software • Peak (Mac) • SoundForge Studio (Win)
Where to get help • Contact SoundTree - for hardware/software and support 800-963-8733 • Book - Recording in the Digital World by Rudolph/Leonard • Join TI:ME - Technology Institute for Music Educators www.ti-me.org