Syntrillium Backup Forums :: View topic

Tara · Posts: 7

Hi,
I am very new at this. I need to find out how to do the most basic recording. I am recording my voice in edit view. I want to multitrack it with a music bed. The problem is I can't get any level off of my compact disc. It is in my tower. Do I need to assign a channel or something? I have not seen a wave form. By the way I have my mike going directly into my sound card. Do I need a mixer for the cd player? How about a mic preamp? I am using the audio for radio. Any help from the pros on this forum would be appreciated. I have already looked at Kenny's website and I think I am so primitive that I can't get my questions answered!! Thank you!!

Syntrillium M.D. · Location: USA Posts: 5124

Hello Tara. Well, before we start making suggestions, there are a couple of key elements that we need to know first...

1) Which version of Cool Edit are you using (ie, CE2K w/StudioPlugIn, CEP1.x, CEP2)?
2) Which operating system are you using? (ie, Win98, WinMe, WinXP)
3) What type of soundcard do you have? (ie, soundblaster, SoundMax, Echo, Delta, etc)

Let's start there, and we should be able to get you up and running!

---Syntrillium, M.D.

Tara · Posts: 7

Hi,

I am using cool edit pro version 2, windows 98, and a soundblaster 16pci. The sound card can easily be changed according to my husband. Thank you for any and all suggestions syntrillium MD!!!

Tara

Syntrillium M.D. · Location: USA Posts: 5124

Hello Tara. Seeing as you are using CEP2, rather than re-record the audio from your CD (which introduces another analog-to-digital stage, and thus will affect the quality) just use CEP2's ripping capabilities. This allows you to digitally extract audio files from CD without re-recording. Here's how...

From the Edit View, go to File>Open. Navigate to your CDROM drive. Under Files of Type select .CDA. Now, you should see all of the 'tracks' on your CD. Highlight the desired track and click OPEN. Voila! Now, you can cut/paste/edit and insert the portion of the file (or the entire file) into multitrack as desired.

---Syntrillium, M.D.

Tara · Posts: 7

Hi,

Syntrillium MD you rock! Thank you I will try your suggestion. What did you think about my soundcard? Do you think it needs an upgrade? I am mp3ing audio to my radio station to use as voice tracks. Just curious as to what you think. Thanks again!

Tara:)

Craig Jackman · Location: Canada Posts: 909

Tara, you will find varying opinions of Soundblaster cards on these forums. However nobody, anywhere, will have anything nice to say about a SB16 for quality audio. For games it's fine, but if you care about the sound of what you are doing, replace the card with something MUCH better ... which in your case would be just about anything.

Syntrillium M.D. · Location: USA Posts: 5124

That's what we're here for, Tara! You're more than welcome.

Now, regarding your SB16, I'm afraid that I must echo Craig's comments - it's an old card, and one that was not designed, under any stretch of the imagination, for good digital audio; game audio perhaps.

The good news is that there are many inexpensive alternatives out there, so search the forum, feel free to post and have a look around at the hardware and soundcards forum, or just ask some of our other radio-regulars what they're using. You'll find a wealth of info here!

Happy Recording!

---Syntrillium, M.D.

Tara · Posts: 7

Hi and thank you for the information.

So far so good. I have been able to rip the tracks like the MD suggested. As I get a little more used to this I think I am looking for the name of a good soundcard not the SB16. Craig thank you for the advice. I think I need a soundcard I can plug my headphones into so I can monitor my voice while recording. I tried using a little mackie but it pretty much sucked. So if anyone can suggest a soundcard capable of giving me good quality with a way to monitor my voice I would appreciate it if one like it exists.

Thanks again!! This forum is awesome!!

Craig Jackman · Location: Canada Posts: 909

Whoa Whoa! Stay with the little Mackie and find out why it sucked! That is by far the best way to go for voice and computer applications. Plug your mic into the Mackie and use the really good preamps that they give you for free. There's a headphone amp in the Mackie, so jack your phones in there. If just plugging your mic and phones in and testing it doesn't deliver the goods, you have problems right there. Maybe it's the mic, maybe it's the cables, maybe it's the headphones not matching up with the Mackie in terms of impeadance. Fix THAT first, then fix your soundcard. Take a line out from the Mackie and go to the line in of the soundcard.

As for the new soundcard there's lots of choice, and lots here that will give you their opinion. For voice at home I've got a SoundBlaster Live. Not everyone likes this card, but for radio use it's fine. Turtle Beach make good cards. If you are planning on doing more than just voice the Echo Audio cards are fantastic, as are M-Audio and dozens of others. Figure out what you want to spend on a card, then find the card that has the features you want for that price.

Tara · Posts: 7

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the reply. I am going to upgrade the soundcard and see if I can get my hands on a new mackie. I appreciate your advice. This has been a crash course in recording for me and I can use all the help I can get. Thanks again for your expertise!

:)Tara

VoodooRadio · Location: USA Posts: 3971

Tara, I wouldn't necessarily get rid of the "old" Mackie. I would take it to someplace reputable and have it cleaned.

Craig Jackman · Location: Canada Posts: 909

... or if you are feeling particularily generous, sell it. You should get at least half of what your new one will cost.

Tara · Posts: 7

Hi,

Yes good idea but it really was not mine to sell. I do have a Yamaha 24 track minidisc recorder that I may try to unload. That could cover some of the cost.
Thanks for the advice!

:)Tara