Computer recording at home

Demystifying computer Audio Recording:

PC digital recording at home is now a reality with suitable software more freely available to ordinary folk like you and me.

With the rapidly growing interest in higher-resolution digital audio recording, many professionals and hobbyists are finally turning their attention to the booming industry of computers, both laptop and desktop. While recording an important event onto a developing medium seemed unfeasible, or risky at best, just a few years ago, today, nearly anyone with a touch of computer savvy, or the assistance of a semi-skilled computer user, can be recording and playing back files with minimal hassle.

I hope that the following information will only serve to help individuals interested in using computers for recording realize how feasible it truly is. I understand, how intimidating computers can be. Nonetheless, with the assistance of some wonderful colleagues, I have seen completely standard, and even somewhat old, laptop computers used as multi-purposed devices while simultaneously recording clean audio.

While this may be contradictory to what the typical sales-oriented organizations would want to share... you may already have most of what you need. If you have purchased a laptop in the past 12 months, it should be more than ample for recording audio. With the correct software and hardware, you can outfit your laptop to be a very powerful, high-resolution, field recording device.

10 Common Misconceptions:

1. Only a few (very expensive) computers can do the trick.
2. Laptop recording is only a transition until a dedicated portable hard-disc recorder is released.
3. A computer-based recording system is more expensive than a standalone device would be.
4. It takes a computer expert to set up the system.
5. It is a new and unproven technology.
6. Recording to a computer is difficult.
7. There are limited interface options since USB is inappropriate for recording high-resolution audio.
8. Storage is expensive and impractical.
9. I cant easily share my recordings because they are incompatible with current audio formats.
10. I can not use the recordings in my home stereo.

Myth: Only a few (very expensive) computers can do the trick
Fact: A few years ago, this was completely true. Today, however, recording to, and editing on a computer has become nearly the industry standard in studios throughout the world. I have recorded on an stock Windows 2000 machine using Wavelab, while simultaneously using the machine to Equalize the P.A. system using SoundWeb, and analyze the system using SMAART.

Although I still discourage multi-tasking a machine while it is recording, do not be misled by anyone indicating that a computer is NOT a viable means for recording. They do work, they are stable, and they are are currently being used by many professionals and a growing number of hobbyists.

Myth: Laptop recording is only a transition until a dedicated portable hard-disc recorder is released.
Fact: Maybe. With AES (Audio Engineering Society 2001) coming in late September, we'll all see what the manufacturers have up their sleeves. However, unless they have maintained excellent poker faces for the past two years, many have indicated that they are not interested in pursuing a dc-powered hard-disk or high-resolution recording device because "the demand just isn't high enough." They continue to place funds into building studio-oriented equipment since it can be used in many facilities and enough professionals will make due with it.

However, a great influx in the number of computer-oriented recording devices from major manufacturers has been seen which seems to indicate that they themselves see laptop recording as a the future in the field of compact workstation systems. See MOTU 828, RME Hammerfall series, Sound Devices USB Pre, and Tascam US-428. In particular, it is very interesting to see Tascam, known worldwide for their pioneering developments with field recorders, offering such a device.

Although we may see options being introduced as companies like Marantz expand their options, it must not be forgotten that some of the key players, like Sony and HHB have discontinued their DAT recorders in favor of producing more mini-disc recorders to serve the ENG market not those seeking high-end audio performance.

As already seen, many manufacturers like 360 systems, Mackie, Tascam, Yamaha, and Zaxcom have already embraced hard disk recording into their product developments. While some of them show interest in develop DC battery powered units, it can be expected that a disproportionately hefty price tag will accompany them as we have seen with each DC powered product compared to it's studio usable AC equivalent. Unfortunately, high-resolution field recording is not in the limelight like many of us wish it were. It looks like those of us who demand the best sound now, will just have to take it upon ourselves to develop our own systems. While DVD-R is currently being utilized in some newer computers, and a couple manufacturers have hinted that they will use it in future dedicated recording devices, no one has given a clue that they are any closer than 1 - 2 years from such a release. Many people speculate that DVD-A will be another alternative but once again (like with CD-R), field recordists would be faced with the stability of the recording medium issue. Most likely, as is true with a standard CD recorder, a bump or jolt to the machine would render the recording useless.

As the computer industry invests more money into development that any other industry in the world, prices are actually dropping more rapidly on computer products than those in any other field. Pro Audio developers have budgets that are mere fractions of those in the computer industry and sales that will never reach numbers to compare with computer sales. Consequently, we can expect far quicker advances in computer-based products than that audio recording equipment manufacturers will provide.

Myth: A computer-based recording system is more expensive than a standalone device would be.
Fact: With a computer priced at roughly £1,250.00, and soundcard for £500.00, and a high-capacity battery at about £250.00-300.00, software for £350.00, and a few accessories, a recordist can have a portable hard-disk recorder for under £2,500.00. At first this seems considerably more expensive than a dat recorder which could be purchased for £500-1200.00 but when compared to the higher-price, professional-oriented units like the HHB Portadat at £1,700.00, the laptop options doesn't seem so out of line. Next, when compared with an industry workhorse like the Zaxcom Deva II, at over £6,400.00, the laptop system, even decked out with the best outboard microphone pre-amps, or a compact mixer, and first rate analog-to-digital converters still seems economical at under £6,000.00. Next, add to the equation that the laptop recorder can readily be connected to a network for professional post-production, or simply plugged in to a consumer's home stereo and you have quite a bit of bang for the buck. Take it a step further, a full-blown computer still resides in that same box as the best portable recorder ever made. E-mail, Internet, office presentations, and anything else an average user would utilize the computer for is right at hand.

Myth: It takes a computer expert to set up the system.
Fact: While paying a professional to do any job certainly has its merits, the software and hardware manufacturers who are currently producing computer-based recording products are intimately familiar with the current operating systems and hardware options available. In nearly every package of hardware or software, the buyer will find a list of tips for optimizing the machine for audio recording. See Tascam's Tutorial Guide on Creating, Optimizing and Maintaining Computers for Audio Recording. Typically, software and hardware manufacturers also include suggestions for optimizing the computer for recording. While many of us scan through manuals, or even avoid them at all cost, they do provide the final clues to setting up our system to achieve our goal.

Although multiple builds and custom installations of Windows 2000 will provide an smoother recording environment for a longer period, many off-the-shelf hardware and software items are aimed for consumer purchases and will work very well without elaborate fine tuning.

Myth: It is a new and unproven technology.
Fact: Software developers have been delivering packages suitable for recording for over 3 years now. PC’s with a processing speed over 166mHz are often sufficient for recording, and anything made within the last year has specifications well beyond what is expected for audio recording. As professional studio engineers will concur, using computers makes the entire recording process easier and makes post production work far faster.

Myth: Recording to a computer is difficult.
Fact: With the proliferation of great software packages from Steinberg, SEK’D, Sound Forge and others, recording to a computer is nearly as simple as recording to a tape machine. With a basic understanding of creating and saving files, like most people already have from performing word processing functions, recording to a computer is easy for anyone. While a slow typist may find that it takes a moment more to type in a file name and notes about the recording, laptop recording is actually more time efficient than recording to another medium, labeling it by hand and in turn transferring it to a computer to produce CD's.

Myth: There are limited interface options since USB is inappropriate for recording high-resolution audio.
Fact: USB can support up to two channels of 24-bit/96kHz input and depending on the CODEC used, it can support the same on output, just not at the same time. See http://www.usbpre.com/usbbasics.htm for specifics. As several manufacturers, like Sound Devices, have already determined, people using computers to record are often more concerned with the recording than with the playback. Consequently, they are building these devices based on the idea that capturing the audio is the key concern and that recordists will use other 24-bit environments for playback. The USB Pre is a remarkable achievement in that it provides 24-bit/48kHz recording capability with microphone pre-amps and phantom power. Other manufacturers are currently working on similar products but waiting for the dust to settle from the rapidly developing computer industry.

For those who intend to listen and conduct post-production work on the portable workstation, a card like the Digigram VXpocket is a better alternative since it supports 24-bit digital input and output via PCMCIA. Fortunately, USB-II is on the way, and like Firewire, it will support much higher bandwidth than any previous transfer format. Imagine being able to transfer an uncompressed 3 hour recording in under 2 seconds. It's not far off with computer-based devices and in many cases, these new higher-speed standards will be backward compatible.

Although these development may lend credibility to the notion that it is better to wait for purchasing, if we follow the history of computer development, we would never purchase a computer at all. You can feel confident that a high-quality laptop that you purchase now, will be usable for audio recording, and all of its standard applications for many years to come.

Myth: Storage is expensive and impractical.
Fact: Presently, there are two very easy, and fairly economical ways to store high-resolution recordings.

Compact Discs can be made of the .wav files and played on any computer with 24-bit support. The average 74-minute (650mb) CD holds about 50 minutes of 24-bit/48kHz audio. Thus, a three hour recording would require 4-5 CD's for a total storage cost of £2.00 or £3.00.

Otherwise, by using "Firewire" (a.k.a. IEEE 1394) or Ethernet transfer methods, files can quickly be moved from the laptop used for recording to a network or any other external hard drive. Currently, 80 GB Firewire equipped hard-drives are selling for under £175.00 and can store nearly 80 hours of 24-bit/48kHz audio material. As the rule of thumb within the computer industry, storage size doubles and the price falls in half every six months. We can expect hard-drive storage to be in the £2.00/hour range within a year or less while offering sound quality superior to that of DAT. For those who fear that hard-drive is not a reliable long-term storage medium, a CD back-up or copying the file for a friend of colleague can be a great idea.

Myth: I can’t easily share my recordings because they are incompatible with current audio formats.
Fact: With such a large percentage of audio industry professionals and music sharing communities already set up with networked audio facilities and fast internet service, sharing audio over a computer is easier than any previous means. To make Red Book compatible CD's, a user may utilize the same software used to record the material without the waiting time that plagues those recording to DAT recorders and transferring to computer in real time. The burning time of CD's is now down to only a few minutes a piece and by the time DVD-A recorders are readily available at a nice price point, the record time should be even faster. This means, a 3 hour audio recording could be transferred to CD now, in under 15 minutes and a whole performance should be able to be backed up to DVD-A within minutes, when the time arrives.

Presently, to transfer rapidly over Internet or Network systems, the same software packages, like Sound Forge 5.0 and Wavelab can make MP3's and shareware packages like Shorten and Monkey's Audio can be implemented by those wanting to transfer losslessly compressed audio files over the Internet. Of course, we will need soundcards and software that support 24-bit material but this is no different than the days when analog recordists wanted compatibility with those of us who began implementing digital recorders.

Myth: I can not use the recordings in my home stereo.
Fact: As a laptop computer is already smaller than most standard home stereo components, and in many cases as small as a portable DAT recorder, a computer equipped with a proper soundcard can be plugged right into a home stereo. Using a PCMCIA soundcard like the Digigram VX Pocket allows for 24-bit digital recording and playback. Simply connect a pair of XLR(f)>RCA cables into the tape or CD inputs of a receiver or pre-amp and enjoy the recordings.

Of course, as is true with a DAT recorder or standalone CD-Recorder connected to a high-quality playback system, an external Digital-to-Analog Converter will reveal even more of the the quality that these high-resolution recordings have to offer.

We hope that these insights, which are based on extensive testing, consultation, and evaluation assist anyone seeking higher-quality recording capability in the field.

Happy Recording!!!