Software for Guitar Recording - Suggestions?

[Scatterwound]

Hi There,

I was wondering what software is out there (preferably free or less than $100)...That can do the following:

Record video and accept two mics at a time...One for the guitar and one for the voice..So that I end up with a video file and two associated audio files..

I know I can record video in one software and then record audio in another such as audacity and then overly mix but was wondering if there is an all-in one that can do this....By the way I have a PC...

Thanks in advance.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Software for Guitar Recording - Suggestions?

IMO, you don't need a "does it all" program. There are specific moves that need to be done in each, that aren't shared in the other.

What's commonly done in the entertainment production world is recording and processing audio and video separately, and using SMPTE time code to sync them.
(Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers -- the organization that invented the standard)
This is accounting for possible dialogue that may be recorded live, or in your case playing live to camera.

For audio, you're in luck. Audacity is something I use regularly; unfortunately, time lock isn't a current feature...
but Reaper does time-lock with SMPTE.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Software for Guitar Recording - Suggestions?

Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers

Maybe, I think.
That is what keeps them in sync.

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: Software for Guitar Recording - Suggestions?

IMO, you don't need a "does it all" program. There are specific moves that need to be done in each, that aren't shared in the other.

What's commonly done in the entertainment production world is recording and processing audio and video separately, and using SMPTE time code to sync them.
(Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers -- the organization that invented the standard)
This is accounting for possible dialogue that may be recorded live, or in your case playing live to camera.

For audio, you're in luck. Audacity is something I use regularly; unfortunately, time lock isn't a current feature...
but Reaper does time-lock with SMPTE.

Thanks for the wealth of info.....BUt this does not answer my question....

 

[Scottulus]

Re: Software for Guitar Recording - Suggestions?

Hmmmn, usually, I use Final cut to edit my video, (Which I record with as many cameras as possible sometimes for multi angle) and I record my audio SIMULTANEOUSLY in Logic. Then, in Final CutX you can sync up all of your different angles, and swap out the audio for your finished product. Not really for under 100 bucks, but there's another way if you are willing to do a bit of work;

Record your piece in whatever DAW you like (Heck, even iPad's Garageband is decent, only 5 bucks...) then, decide on the angle that you wish to videotape yourself, and play over the part. Do this for all of the clips, then sync it up, and remove the audio. ummm Adobe Premiere is really good, Apple's iMovie is inexpensive, iMovie for iPad is pretty cheap... Sorry, I hope that helps!

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Software for Guitar Recording - Suggestions?

iMovie for iPad doesn't work on the PC, though.

Adobe Premiere Elements is a decent A/V editor, and isn't terribly expensive. I do not recommend going with cheap software for video, as it's usually cheap for a reason, like poor/very limited functionality, exports only in some proprietary format that nothing can read and YouTube goes "WTF?!" when you try to upload it. Several pieces of cheap software can cost as much as one good one, so splurge if you're serious about videos and get something worthwhile.

Also spend the money on a 3CCD video camera. I suggest the JVC HD-6 or HD-7. Native widescreen, 1080p, and IIRC comes with a fairly decent A/V package. I believe it has a stereo built-in mic as well.
They're still a bit pricey on Ebay, but IMO if you're tired of seeing crappy over-compressed videos like everyone else is, you'll appreciate the quality.

Another item you might consider is a video capture box of some reputable quality, as this will allow you to run both the video and your miked audio through it (though you'll also need a mic preamp and output cables that will send to the video capture's inputs, which will either be USB, FireWire, or RCA, or even HDMI if you spend enough).
For this I'd suggest the AverMedia AVERTV HD USB DVR. It can handle 1080p as well, and comes with a fairly decent video editor. You won't make the next blockbuster hit with it, but it's good enough to edit audio and video.

Then there's the ADS Tech Pyro A/V video capture box, which should come with Adobe Premiere Elements (last one I got a couple of years ago - to replace my old one - came with ver 7. My older one came with ver 2, which lets you know how long I had it :lol: )

An external video capture box with RCA Audio Inputs will allow you to run your voice to one channel while the other gets the guitar (preferably straight from a mixer or preamp/modeler rather than a miked amp in the same room as your voice mic).
This should alleviate the need for the software to allow separate L/R audio tracks. Once you've recorded what you want, you can export the audio track to a DAW and split the stereo track into L/R/ mono.