Audio recording on a computer...

[Person]

I just got a notebook computer recently, and I was thinking about doing some recording with it. I have an OK soundcard, but I'm not sure about the hard drive... I have heard that apparently it's best to have a 7200rpm HDD.

The best source of info tells me mine is an ATA/100, and that's it. I know it transfers 100mb/sec, which sounds alright for recording I think, but I'm not entirely sure if it's what's best. If anyone can help me out, that'd be great.

This is a link to my computer (its the VGNFS18GP, which you will have to select yourself I think; not sure):
http://www.sonystyle.com.au/catalog/product.jsp?id=VGNFS18GP&categoryId=22523&textview=false

[B]

well, first off, what kind of recording? With the onboard audio you are already looking at moderate to high noise levels (most likely between -30 and -40 db), and you will only be able to record two mono tracks at once if your computer has a line in. Microphone inputs are not good to record with. Hard Disc rpms are irrelevant when you are only dealing with a small number of tracks.

[Person]

I can use ASIO mics.. I don't really know what I'm doing, just thinking of experimenting a bit.

[B]

ASIO has nothing to do with microphones. Its a driver type used by soundcards in windows. Most cheap onboard soundcards dont use those drivers, but regular WDM drivers. ASIO vs. WDM is irrelevant in regard to this situation. Any kind of driver would work just as well.

[Person]

I don't really know what I'm doing

I see my attempts will probably be futile.

[B]

i dont think we've yet established what it is you are attempting to record... :shrug:

[Person]

Just sound samples... probably not instruments (I'd get more proper inputs that I could use directly for guitars or some shit).
Possibly environmental sounds or something... It'd be various shit I'd just experiment with.


holy shit, predator :pred: . cool.

:hide: (ignore that)

[B]

Well, for what you want to do, you basically have two routes:

1) you may be able to connect a shitty microphone up to your mic in and record sounds which will come out crappy, but you might be able to do noise reduction and other enhancements to make them sound better.

2) invest in an external (usb or firewire) sound card for your laptop, purchase a cheap preamp and a good microphone. You would be able to create much better quality samples that way.

In any case, you can record, clean up samples, and do a shitload of other cool stuff in adobe audition:

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=92&platform=Windows

it has a free 30 day trial, but you can find serial numbers/cracks for it on the internet

*cough*http://www.keygen.us*cough*

hope that helps.

[Person]

You don't pick up any weird tracker cookies or anything from that site do you?

And, thanks for your help.

[B]

tracker cookies? i highly doubt it, but i dont know for sure. I use firefox and clear my cookies occasionally.

[Person]

yeah alright. I don't know what the fuck's going on.

cheers

[B]

:up: