NorioDS
Ya, I know, I need clips. My xruns are a bit high which will probably result in blips. Will get to the clips soon, I promise ?
Thanks for the explanation on the noise I'm getting from the cable! It definitely wouldn't be my FIRST choice but, on a low budget, it does OK. I'm thinking of naming my "final" tutorial, "Low-Budget Recording on Linux". Because, with a better budget, there are a few things I'd definitely change (better soundcard, high-end PC, etc)
AlanRatcliffe
BTW, you could also use a DI box to interface the guitar with the STUSBG.
NorioDS
What's a DI box?
I must admit, I started doing this because I wanted to record myself cheaply and learn how to write songs and improve my playing, etc, etc, etc...
But my motive is now to get people smarter than myself (who might not be able to afford Windows, etc) to record on Linux because I believe THAT will catapult (and cement) Linux into the audio scene. Not just because I love Linux but because it has the potential to further SPLICE the costs of recording and get people who don't have money but have talent coming out of their ears to share what they have with the world.
So, looks like I finally have a mission in my life ?
AlanRatcliffe
A DI is a Direct Injection box - converts a high impedance signal into a low impedance one suitable for plugging things like basses directly into mixing desks, or into interfaces that only have low impedance inputs, etc. They are also commonly used to convert unbalanced jack signals into balanced XLR ones.
Yup. I think as the bugs are ironed out and more hardware developers write drivers for Linux, we should see more musos go for Linux - it's right in their price bracket.
I'd actually like to see an OS developed that is dedicated to music - Ubuntu Studio is the closest so far.
NorioDS
Thanks for the DI info ?
I'm going to contribute tutorials out into the world and do what I can to contribute towards UbuntuStudio. The coder/muso combo is very common, so it shouldn't take too long before we see some serious improvements.
I give it about 3 years before it becomes an acceptable platform for a not-so-technical muso to record on with decent results.
NorioDS
Deaan and I jammed last night with the help of my laptop, Hydrogen (drum machine) and rakarrack (guitar amp software).
We had a ball! Deaan used to be a drummer so he built us up a few decent beats and off we went.
I've come to the following conclusions:
- I wouldn't use Rakarrack for a gig. At least not until it's more stable. It died out about 5 times last night, while Hydrogen, Jack and everything else seemed to do just fine.
- I need a faster computer for the audio stuff ?
- Using computers for recording, effects, etc ROCKS! (Thanks Alan, Rene)
The most recent version of Rakarrack has a Harmonizer effect built-in which I just LOVE!
Anyhoo, I'm hoping to put together a 60 second song soon and show you guys how I did it. Probably will be something along these lines:
1. Fire up Jack Control.
2. Set it up right for your card(s).
3. Fire up Hydrogen.
4. Make a drum track.
5. Fire up Ardour
6. Arm a track and record the backing track.
7. Arm another track and play a basic rhythm.
8. Arm another track and play a basic melody / solo.
9. Arm yet another track and add a tiny bit of synth ?
The idea here is to record without ANY xruns (due to latency) so I'm recording one track at a time. The same thing can be achieved with Audacity, so if you don't want to learn Ardour (it can be tricky for a beginner), try the above using Audacity.
Now let's hold thumbs for a free Saturday for all the above to happen in ?
kayDUB
Hey Norio
You have interested me very much in recording in Linux. I have a box (P4 2.8 ) lying around screaming for attention, I just need a monitor.
So how do I go about getting all the software you have mentioned? I basically just want to be able to record guitar (i don't think i'll need to use PC based effects, i'll just use my pedals), create some drum loops and add plenty of synth etc... so:
Hydrogen, Jackd and Ardour? Plus of course Ubuntu Studio. Can I get this software on CD or do I have to download it?
Then I think the only thing I'll need to get is some sort of audio interface.
I'm a bit of a Linux noob, but i am in IT, so I should be able to figure it out!
p.s how the tutorials doing? ?
NorioDS
Hey man ?
I downloaded UbuntuStudio which comes with EVERYTHING you need! Check out
UbuntuStudio.org.
There's also a mailing list where you can ask some questions and then, of course, there's me ?
If you can find a
Freedom Toaster in your area, you might be able to get UbuntuStudio on CD there. If not, get Ubuntu and then I can give you instructions on how to upgrade to UbuntuStudio.
kayDUB
Fanks! ?
oh my word, how cool is a freedom toaster?? had no idea something like that existed! and oh look, just round the corner at MTN science centre in canal walk! ?
Thanks Norio!
I'LL BE BAK
NorioDS
Hehehehe ? Glad you found one!
Enjoy and get back soon with questions and recordings ?
I'm thinking of putting this all together into an eBook and then splitting it into articles once I'm done. Of course, biggest problem is time. So bear with me ?
kayDUB
So its 4 months later...
I installed ubuntu studio! Haven't played around to much yet, but I did manage to create a drum loop in Hydrogen and record it on a track in Ardour. My next step was adding some synth, which I battled with. I tried to use Rosegarden, but got no sound. Found out I have to load SoundFonts or something like that? And you need to have something like FluidSynth running while using Rosegarden as it generates the actual sound? ??? I'm hopefully gonna have another go tonight.
Then I'll try some accoustic guitar.
Interesting stuff, I can see myself using plenty of hours... ?
Gareth
Are you using JACK ?
Timidity is also a rather nice softsynth, but FluidSynth may be easier to use (at first ?) they both rely on sondfonts for their sounds.
HTH
if not let us know where you get stuck.
NorioDS
Gareth, I didn't know you were a Linux geek too! Awesomeness. I don't feel so alone ?
Kay, like Gareth said, you'll normally need JACK running. I use ZynAddSubFx for synth. Works fine. Not particularly convincing but good for making simple backing tracks and things.
Right now Linux is still a bit challenging to set up initially for recording but once it's set up, it works really well (read: low latency). I'm hoping that with initiative like UbuntuStudio out there, it will soon get REALLY easy.
Well done on making the drum track. Hydrogen is pretty powerful. You can control the force of each hit and do a few other things that can make your tracks a little more realistic. I think Linux recording software is comparable to some professional stuff out there. Especially Ardour - it's kickass!
kayDUB
Thanks guys.
Yeah, I have JACK running.
Managed to get some random notes from ZynAddSubFx recorded into Ardour last night.
What I am looking for is a program where I can see the piano keys on the left of the screen and kinda plot the notes along a time line on the right. (like fruityloops piano roll editor) I want to select an instrument (bass, piano, strings, etc) and then record it into a track in Ardour.
Any suggestions? Timidity? I can't seem to find this on my system?
Rosegarden seems to be what I am looking for, but I can't seem to get it to play sound.
So SoundFonts are basically voicings for midi notes?
NorioDS
I'm afraid I can't help with Rosegarden, never really paid it much attention. Didn't seem to work unless you have an actual midi soundcard goodie thingie.
kayDUB
Norio wrote:
I'm afraid I can't help with Rosegarden, never really paid it much attention. Didn't seem to work unless you have an actual midi soundcard goodie thingie.
Well that could be my problem! ?
Gareth
Any suggestions? Timidity? I can't seem to find this on my system?
Rosegarden seems to be what I am looking for, but I can't seem to get it to play sound.
Yep if you install timidity, then you can use it as an output midi port in Rosegarden, yes soundfonts are the voicings, but timidity can do a lot of stuff, and if you're using ubuntu the default install should include the General Midi pat (patterns) sounds which it can use as well and should get you up and running. NB this is a command line prog so man timidity.
Timidity is a bit of a CPU hog but it will work on any soundcard, so Norio give it another go.
kayDUB
Ah ha! That makes sense. kinda. ?
I'll have a go tonight.
kayDUB
So, its been a while...
And i think i've worked out everything I need for now!
I managed to:
- record guitar (using my amp's direct out into soundcard (intel... :'( ))
- use the virtual midi keyboard running through QSynth to put down some simple bass (ish) and syth into Ardour. (I had to download some soundfonts to use with QSynth)
- record hydrogen drum track in Ardour.
Must say, i'm quite impressed with the software so far and although I don't have lots of experience with many different recording programs I can do everything I need to at this stage.
So, this is to encourage you guys to give it a go! ?
Now to upgrade my soundcard and get an actual midi keyboard... all in good time! oh and some good monitors!
