Making your own CD

[weeo]

Has anyone on here recorded their own CD.?
Since I'm now retired and winter is coming , To give myself something to do,I thought I would make a CD.
I,ve redone my studio (the loft) and my set up is pretty basic. I have a decent mixing desk, good condenser mic.
8 track recorder. etc.
The plan is to record the midi backing track and add the guitars and vocals one at a time and see how it sounds.
Then mix with Audacity and burn to CD.
Is this the best way to go or are there any suggestions / comments ?
I know there are ways to do everything through the pc, therefore doing away with the 8 track.
But I'm a bit in the dark about this
Can it all be done through Audacity ? One line at a time ?

Thanks
Eddie

[oliver101]

Hi Eddie
I bought a Zoom HD16CD and can do the thing from start to finish on the unit. The part I found most difficult is getting everything to sit right in the the mix. It's a real art being a sound engineer as I have found out. The only way to get it right is to keep doing it and learn from your mistakes.
When it does start to take shape it's a wonderful feeling though.
Try not to overdo the effects though. Too much in the way of chorus, delay, or reverb makes the sound very cheap sounding. A good set of monitor speakers also helps a lot. Try not to use hifi speakers as they are made to accentuate the highs and lows.
Regards
Ian

[weeo]

Thanks Ian, good advice about effects. I do have proper monitors. I'll look into the Zoom and maybe go that way.

Thanks for your input, its much appreciated

Regards
Eddie

[geordiebennett]

Hi Eddie,
I'm in the process of making a cd myself.I bought a Tascam digital 8 track recorder which although small it is very good and easy to use.I then put it on the computer and finalise everything on a program called Nero SmartStart.I think the quality of the finished product is very good,there is also a program for printing your cd covers.I do have Audacity but I prefer the other.
Good luck with it
Geordie

[oliver101]

If you do go down the Zoom route Eddie, let me know and I will help where I can. They can be bought on ebay for about the £200 mark.

Keep us all informed on how your recording goes when you start it.

Geordie, let us know when your CD is finished and post a track or two on here for ua to listen to.

Ian

[eddie3fingers]

I always use Cakewalk Sonor... Works great for me...

[weeo]

Hi Eddie .I have Cakewalk Sonor as well, but I only use it for midifiles---- never used it for recording.
I assume you play the midi track then add to it as wave tracks ?
Is it as simple as that ? What do you need for adding ,say, live guitars and vocals
Can you give me a quick run down of the whole process from start to CD,?
hope I'm not asking too much here but I'm curious to know .
Thanks for any help

Eddie

[frankie]

Jan 22, 2015 10:58:11 GMT weeo said:

Hi Eddie .I have Cakewalk Sonor as well, but I only use it for midifiles---- never used it for recording.
I assume you play the midi track then add to it as wave tracks ?
Is it as simple as that ? What do you need for adding ,say, live guitars and vocals
Can you give me a quick run down of the whole process from start to CD,?
hope I'm not asking too much here but I'm curious to know .
Thanks for any help

Eddie

A flow chart would be great !!

[eddie3fingers]

When I bought Sonor, the package I got had what they call the "Power Studio 250" which has a small, separate box, that you record your vocals, guitar...anything through

I just set up my midi as usual then record audio tracks as needed... then you save as an audio file which you can then burn to a cd..

[weeo]

Thanks Eddie, but it looks like Power Studio 250 is no longer available.
I managed to get a Zoom multitrack with CD recorder so I've decided to go with that.
Once I've got some trax done i'll post here for your opinions and comments, but don't hold your breath,it could be a while.
Thanks for everyones input
regards

Eddie

[oliver101]

How are you getting on with your CD Eddie. Its a Zoom unit that I have as well. Is yours an HD16?

Ian