1. Recording Digital Audio
Using your Computer
Thomas Rudolph, Ed. D.
Director of Music
School District of Haverford Township
1801 Darby Road
Havertown, PA
(610) extension 5452
Sponsored by SoundTree

2. Recording Digital Audio Choose 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 *

3. This session will focus on primarily digital audio applications *
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 *

4. Digital Audio Options Using the Computer Stand-Alone Recording Units
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 *

5. Low-Cost Option No 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) *

6. 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 *

7. Windows Software Stereo 2-track software
Purchase SoundForge Studio ($99.00)
Live recordings
Edit CD tracks *

8. 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) *

9. Macintosh Software Stereo 2-track software Purchase Peak LE ($99.00)
Live recordings
Edit CD tracks *

10. Stepping Up Much improved quality of sound Cautions
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 *

11. Stepping Up and Up Options
Digidesign (ProTools) Multitrack Recording
MBox - portable recording ($499)
Digi001 ($1,000)
Digi002 ($2,500) *

12. 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) *

13. ProTools Recording Options
Multiple tracks of audio
Can also record MIDI *

14. 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 *

15. 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) *

16. MIDI and Digital Audio

17. 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 *

18. Burning CDs Mac: Windows iTunes - Free software from Apple.
Toast (
Windows
EZ CD Creator (WIN)

19. Stand-Alone Recorders
Superscope CD-Recorder
Can edit CDs using 2-track audio software
Peak (Mac)
SoundForge Studio (Win)

20. Where to get help
Contact SoundTree - for hardware/software and support
Book - Recording in the Digital World by Rudolph/Leonard
Join TI:ME - Technology Institute for Music Educators