Product test
Record music as easily as possible, part 1: iPad
by David Lee
Record music as easily as possible, part 2: on the PC
14.9.2017
Translation: machine translated
Here you can find out how to set up your PC as quickly, cheaply and easily as possible so that you can make multi-track music recordings in acceptable quality.
In the first article about home recording, I recommended the iPad to get started. I actually think it's the best tool for getting started with home recording.
But of course you can also record music with a Windows PC. The initial hurdles are somewhat higher, but the possibilities for expansion are greater.
Audio interface and associated drivers
A normal Windows PC is not inherently equipped to record music. You need an audio interface and drivers. The audio interface is a piece of hardware that provides you with the right audio inputs. On a PC, you only have 3.5 mm sockets. Many audio interfaces have combo connectors that fit both 6.3 mm plugs (e.g. guitar) and XLR plugs (microphones). In addition, even the cheapest audio interfaces deliver a much better sound quality than the inputs that are built into the PC as standard.
Under Windows, you also need to install an ASIO driver. This is a special audio driver for your interface that digitally converts, processes and outputs the sound without any audible delay (latency). The normal Windows driver usually cannot do this. You can download the driver from the interface manufacturer's website and install it as soon as you have connected the interface.
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MIDI instruments and digital microphones
MIDI instruments can simply be connected to the PC via a USB cable without the need for an audio interface. The same applies to some microphones: they have a digital connection, i.e. a USB plug instead of an audio cable. With these models, the analogue signal generated by the microphone capsule is already converted into a digital signal in the microphone. However, if you also want to connect a guitar, for example, you will need an audio interface again.
Audio recording software
You will of course also need recording software. When choosing one, I strongly recommend that you stay away from the freeware Audacity! Audacity does not support ASIO or the "exclusive" audio mode of Windows, which would allow for reasonably low latency. To make matters worse, Audacity does not support MIDI recordings either.
I myself use Reaper. Reaper can do everything a normal hobby musician ever needs and is still affordable (60 dollars). You can also try out the software free for 60 days.
Unlike GarageBand on the Mac or iPad, Reaper doesn't come with any virtual instruments. So if you want to play the piano via MIDI, you first need a VST plug-in. The same applies to virtual guitar amplifiers and effects. These also need to be installed separately. As an absolute beginner, you are probably better off with software that already comes with a basic set of virtual instruments and amplifiers. However, I can't recommend anything from my own experience. Our audio expert Fabio Endrich says that PreSonus Studio One Artist is a good place to start. But even that only has a minimal set of virtual instruments (synthesiser, drums). [[product:5884751]]
Plug-ins for the audio software
Now the question arises as to which plug-ins you should get. Of course, this depends on which instruments you play and what is already available in the recording software. There are tonnes of free VST plugins, but most of them are hardly any good. Trying them all out is a waste of time at its best. On the other hand, many plug-ins are quite expensive. A good piano sound costs around a hundred francs. But then you still don't have an electric piano or an organ. [[image:8644841]]Reaper with the VST plug «Gentleman». This delivers the sound of an upright piano.
Plug-ins I: Guitar and bass
If you connect the guitar directly to the PC, you will of course not have the beautiful sound of your guitar amplifier. Even if you use the amplifier's line output, it won't sound that great because the speakers are an important article in the guitar sound. You would therefore have to pick up the sound from the amplifier with a microphone. This is awkward and difficult for beginners. It is much more convenient to simulate amplifiers and effects on a PC. This allows you to freely change the sound of your recorded guitar parts even after recording. Adding an additional effect, turning up the bass or replacing the entire amp - no problem at all.
The best-known effect and amp simulations for guitar and bass are called AmpliTube and Guitar Rig. There is a free demo version of AmpliTube 4 with all the essentials, including a preset for bass guitar. The registration and installation process is a bit complicated - but you can do it! There is also a slimmed-down free version of Guitar Rig. I also recommend trying out S-Gear from Scuffham. This plug-in only offers a few amplifiers and effects, but they sound really good. You're more likely to spend your time playing with it than working out amp and effect settings. You can test S-Gear free of charge for a fortnight. After that, it costs 129 dollars.
Plug-ins II: Drums
MT PowerDrumkit 2 is a free plug-in that has nothing to complain about. It only offers one drum kit, but it sounds good. Many ready-made drum patterns are included.
Plug-ins III: electric piano
There's a lot to choose from, some also come in a bundle with piano sounds (see next point). If you like the classic Fender Rhodes sound, you certainly can't go wrong with the Scarbee Mark I for 69 euros.
Plug-ins IV: Piano
This is the hardest part to decide on - you really are spoilt for choice. Here are a few places to start:
Some pianos sound fantastic on their own, but get lost in the mix with other instruments. If you have the opportunity to try out a plug-in, be sure to test it in the context of a band, not just solo.
Some tips and hints
Latency and buffer size
You can set the size of the buffer in the settings of your ASIO driver. The smaller the buffer, the lower the latency. However, if the buffer is too small, the sound will start to crackle and crackle. The more powerful your PC, the smaller the buffer can be. Modern PCs usually manage well with a minimum of 64 samples.
Monitoring
If you can hear yourself live (during recording or before), this is called monitoring. If you can't hear anything: This usually has to be activated for the respective track in the recording software. You also need to define the audio output of the interface as the output and then connect your headphones or speakers there too.
Audio interfaces usually offer the "Direct Monitoring" function. This means that the input signal is looped directly to the output, eliminating any problems with latency. This is certainly a good thing for vocals or purely acoustic instruments, but less so for electric guitars. This is because you will no longer hear the virtual effects and amp simulations.
And what about the Mac?
A very valid question. I don't use a Mac myself (anymore), so I can't give any detailed tips here. But basically, the Mac has always been a good platform for audio recording. The audio interfaces usually run without any extra driver installation. And for beginners, GarageBand is also available on the Mac (free of charge). GarageBand projects can also be opened in the professional audio software Logic Pro (200 francs) if GarageBand is no longer sufficient at some point.
What you should keep in mind, however, is Apple's tendency to make short work of things that no longer seem up-to-date to the company. My older audio interface, which cost 500 francs, has not worked since OS X 10.9 because Apple changed something in the driver requirements. And the manufacturer of the interface was obviously of the opinion that the device was too old and too cheap for another driver update. That was it for me and the Mac. The audio interface still runs smoothly on Windows today.
Is that all I need to know?
Not in the medium term, this is just a starting aid. The whole microphone technique is a topic in itself, which can be very important depending on the instrument. For me as an electric guitarist, it's just not that important. I have also completely ignored the subject of monitor speakers. A good pair of headphones connected to the audio interface also produces a quite usable sound at the beginning. However, I would advise against Bluetooth for home recording, as this can result in high latencies.
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David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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