Equipment needed for recording using pc

[kenner]

PC is an IBM P4 with 1G RAM. It has a low end sound card. I would like to upgrade this for an aspiring guitarist who would like to record his music. What do I need to buy and/or change?

[awaj]

It depends on the software he wants to use. If he is going to be using Audacity, or some program in Linux, then specs like that will suffice... If he wants to use something like Pro Tools, or something else, it will be difficult (I think it's do-able) to record in that kind of environment.

If he wants to go into professional grade recording for himself, and maybe others (to make some money if he is good enough), you may want to invest in a mac because they come all set for recording, including pro-tools, and a firewire port or two for the input devices (It's ironic that I am saying this because I personally hate macs...) or start from scratch and focus on most of the budget on the sound card, processing, and ram. A PSU at least 450 watts would be my guess. you will also need firewire ports, or a PCI card with inputs for the machine. I've spent about 600 dollars on my machine, and I have all but a PSU needed to suport the sound and the input cards, the sound card, and the inputs...

I also am saving money by using Ubuntu for recording. when my build is complete, I plan on trying Ardour (http://ardour.org/) out. Audacity will suffice for the average simple needs

[kenner]

Am I correct in reading that just the purchase of Audacity software plus a better sound card will work? What is the minimum requirement on the sound card? At 13, he won't be doing anything fancy, just having fun with his guitar and wants to send music to his friends.

[awaj]

Audacity is free. It does simple recording with out any problem at all. With a decent sound card, you can do some pretty nice things. If going with Audacity, then a nice sound card (and a decent set of speakers [which I forgot to mention, I am sorry]) will suffice. You also will need to buy some inputs, but they aren't that expensive. This (http://www.zzounds.com/item--LEXALPHA) will work (or so it I think, there may be cheaper, but that's just an example of what to look for) on the computer. as to what kind of sound card, what ever you are willing to spend essentially. I don't know the price range you have for said card, and I am not entirely a hardware guru on this subject. You will also need a mic, or two

So, the next question is how is his guitar going to be recorded? and will he be singing along?

If he is only playing, and has a 1/4 inch jack, or an XLR jack on his guitar, that problem is solved. If he sings as well, (it doesn't matter too much about guitar pickup [unless the guitar is electric]) buying at least one mic would be best.

Before being happy about the one mic thing, stop. Recording, and recording sound that is good are two different things. I've had trouble finding how to record a guitar with a voice difficult my self. The one mic thing is a specific mic. Basically to get away with one mic, the mic needs to have a figure 8 polar pattern. (the mics have that information in the specs.) If you buy a different mics, he will have fun with mic placement. If you get him several mics, depending on what polar pattern you get him, he will have "fun" trying to avoid phase cancellation.

If you have more questions about recording techniques, I am more then willing to type up something later on, but he may learn more messing around with what ever mic(s) you get him.

[kenner]

Thanks for the help. I'll leave his parents and his allowance to take care of mic's. I will buy a better sound card and install that. He's just learning so it will be fun for him.

[awaj]

if he has any questions, I am more then willing to try and answer them... I know quite a bit of theory behind recording, but I have yet to get the experience. actually this semester I am going to be recording a Heavy Metal Band (my favorite kind of music... not really) but last semester I recorded a guy and a guitar who was quite easy to record after I learned the trick about the figure 8 polar patern mic.