Here are some suggestions, roughly in ascending order of expense:
Your first decision is, computer or not-computer.
Depending on what your soundcard is, you may already have a good chunk of
the equipment you need. Something like a SoundBlaster, for your purposes,
would be OK -- make sure your soundcard can do what's called "full duplex
recording," which means it can record & play at the same time. Get an
inexpensive mic; if you get something like a Shure SM-58, it will continue
to be useful for you, even if you get more advanced. Your local music store
can be helpful, and, since you aren't overly concerned with studio-quality
fidelity, you should do OK. As for software, both PCs & Macs come with
simple recording software, but you'll probably want something slightly more
user-friendly & flexible. Something like Cakewalk's Home Studio or Magix
Music Maker is a good bet. If you're on a Mac, I've heard good stuff about
GarageBand for entry level recording.
The *best* site on the 'net for everything you could ever want to know about
recording, especially digital-based recording, is
http://www.studiocovers.com/, from absolute novice to full on pro info.
If you decide not to use a computer, the simplest way to go is a
PortaStudio. Heck, you can probably find a cassette 4-track for dirt cheap
used; even a new one runs only ~USD$99 at Musician's Friend. They have a
deal with a Tascam 4 track, mic, cable, headphones, and a blank tape for
USD$139. This would probably be the easiest, from a novice's perspective. It
is more expensive than getting a cable, mic & phones for your PC, but it's
also less frustratung than PC recording can be -- and you're not tied to
wherever your PC is living.
MiniDisc is another option; try Minidisco.com. That would be more expensive
than cassette, but also better quality (and you can easily take your MD
recorder with you for impromptu field recordings.)
Some digital music players have simple recording abilities, but I don't have
any experience there.
HTH,
Zak Kramer
Crazyquilt Arts
art | music | comics
http://www.crazyquiltarts.com/
Nine Lives, Many Masters: a Pagan web comic.
http://www.crazyquiltarts.com/9lmm/
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