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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: hillbilly8714 on January 12, 2006, 03:32:07 PM

Title: Laptop recording
Post by: hillbilly8714 on January 12, 2006, 03:32:07 PM
I'm completely new to this, but I am going to start taping shows for a small band that plays the area who said I could just hook into the soundboard.  I will be using my laptop, but my question is, are there any programs like Soundforge that allow you to have a free trial version first so I can test some of these out?
Also, as far as hooking my laptop into the sound board do only need L and R RCA jacks that form into a single headphone/microphone jack into the computer?
Title: Re: Laptop recording
Post by: TNJazz on January 12, 2006, 03:44:01 PM
Record into CDWave - it's free and will do the job nicely.  http://www.cdwave.com (http://www.cdwave.com)

You'll need several types of cables, depending on the soundboard.  XLR, 1/4 and RCA are the most common outs.  You'll go in on the LINE IN on your onboard soundcard, which is undoubtedly a 1/8 jack.  Best bet is to buy a high quality RCA -> mini cable, then buy 2 1/4 male/RCA female adapters and 2 XLR female/RCA female adapters at Radio Shack.  That means you carry around 1 cable and 4 adapters, and you're ready for pretty much anything.

Eventually you may want to consider stepping up your interface (maybe go USB or get a PCMCIA card) because on board laptop sound cards have a tendency to be noisy.  I'd try it out first though before you commit to buying hundreds of dollars of gear.

Good luck!
Dirk
Title: Re: Laptop recording
Post by: hillbilly8714 on January 12, 2006, 03:55:52 PM
Thank you very much
Title: Re: Laptop recording
Post by: smokydays on January 12, 2006, 10:24:14 PM
Great advice Dirk!  Always someone willing to help out around here!  +T's