Recording Software...

[Spaceman Spiff]

Okay, I have a question. Say you're hooking up a guitar, a keyboard, a base, and some microphones through someone like M-Audio's FireWire 410. Which is plugged into the computer. Which is running Logic Express, which is supposed to be able to record multiple tracks. HOWEVER...

For things like the electric keyboard and electric bass, do you need to choose software instruments to hear sound from them? We basically want to hear the sound coming from the amps that the intruments plug in to, the keyboard has organ presets and such, and that's the sound we want to hear. But in Garageband with our Midisport Uno, we hear the sound of the software instruments.

How can/Can you even/What can you use to record sounds from electric instruments AHFM. As Heard From Amplifier. The sounds that they make before they're plugged into the computer.

Just so you have the full specs...
Hardware...
Computer: Powerbook G4. 800 mhz. 512 megs of RAM (I think)
Interface: Undecided. Would like help on that.
Intruments...
Yamaha Electric Keyboard.
Electric Bass.
Electric Guitar.
Pearl 5-piece drum kit.
Other stuff...
Sound mixer... Actually, I'm not quite sure what that thing does. It compresses the sound from the 3 mics hooked up to the drums into one track, but my brother knows the rest of the stuff it does. It's not an interface though.
Microphones - 4.
Cables.

Thanks!

 

[logicat2001]

Microphones were invented to record audio. These microphones would either be plugged into a Mixing board, or directly into the FW410. Another possibility for guitar and bass is to run your electric instruments through a DI-box.

I'd strongly recommend going to the library or bookstore and quickly skimming through some books about basic home recording. I have to be honest and tell you that such incredibly basic questions will typically result in snippy answer, because it only shows that you've not done your homework.

You can also try to surf the web, for example, try one of these two:
Harmony Central's Recording FAQs
Sound On Sound


Good luck,
Logicat

 

[doumbek]

I believe that you should be able to plug your keyboard directly into the m-audio. Unplug the midi and go straight from the keyboard to the mic/instrument input on the 410 like you were plugging into an amp.

This is what you're looking at on the 410:
2 analog audio input channels
Two independent analog input channels accept a wide variety of input signals. A front-panel switch for each channel selects between 1/4” TS (-10dBV) line-level input on the rear and Neutrik (1/4” TS and balanced XLR) mic/instrument input on the front. Connect microphones, guitars, keyboards, samplers, CD players and more. The driver software allows you to route these internally to any analog or digital outputs.

M-audio link

They also have downloadable manuals there if you want to check it out before you buy.