Recording a set in real time to your laptop...

[phat chong]

Sorry if this has already been answered but I would love to know how to record and save in real time a live set directly onto my laptop and then be burnt.

What cables/connections/software do I need?

I have a copy of WinADR already.

The setup is 2 1200s, djm600 mixer. There is a seperate amp and I also have access to an amp via a tape/cd player with aux 1 & 2 channels.

The laptop is running a PIII 900, 256mb ram, 20gig hd and Windows 2k.

Currently it's just being recorded onto tape.

Thanks in advance.

[djneo]

As long as you have a line in socket for the soundcard on the laptop, all you need is a cable that has RCA's on one end and a small headphone plug on the other...

A djm600 has "record out" jacks that are non amplified so you get a line level recording not affected by the master volume... connect this to the line in on the laptop using your cable, open up Soundforge, Wavelab or whatever recording software you want, set it to record the line in, and hit record and play your set, making sure that your record levels are set way below clipping (some programs have Automatic Record Volume Limiting which means you can pump up the record levels and not worry about clipping)

Hey presto a set as one wave file, which you can the edit or enhance using whatever you want (I usually add compression and bring the volume up to 0dB) and then burn it up using Nero...

[Hydra]

I would be surprised if you were happy with the results of recording directly into a laptop's audio/mic in. Generally laptop soundcards leave much to be desired. an external usb soundcard would do the trick (if you were willing to outlay the cash) Edirol do an adequate 16bit usb sound interface for a little over $200 (called UA1A www.edirol.com.au) or for 24 bit high quality recording theres heaps of choices in USB, PCMCIA and Firewire, expect to pay for it though.

[Sean]

ive recorded dj sets on my laptop before. and whilst its not crystal clear 24 bit sound like we all like to use in our productions, its more then adequate for recorded dj sets. there are so many other factors in the recording chain in a dj setup that are so flawed that it is of no real benefit to get a better interface if all you're doing is recording mixes and burning them to cd, to hand out to friends promoters fans whatever. but if you were doing a commercial release then it would be a different story.

[phat chong]

Cheers for all the help guys. Yeah it's just bedroom banger shit so it's alll cool.

Thanks again. :)

[fizza1]

hey guys is cool edit ok to use to record to the laptop. i to have a djm 600 and am about to try and record to my laptop, should i use cool edit or soundforge or another program

thanx for the help.. sorry if its been explained before

[Bracko]

doesn't matter which one you use... they're all okay for recording a set to a computer.

use the one you like best.

[capt_staunch]

I use my onboard soundcard to record my demos and to me they sound fine. Ok having a kick-ass soundcard might improve the sound quality but I've only got a cheapy Stanton mixer....as long as it doesn't sound like an AM radio broadcast I'm happy.

[fizza1]

thanx guys i really appreciate the help, will try it this weekend and let you know how i went.

[mazstar]

Ditto on the poor laptop soundcards. I tried it and it was totally wrong just not listenable.

I used my Presonus firewire soundbox and it was CD quality when recording into my mac desktop.

[Neo_]

Bear in mind the line/ Microphone in on most laptops are mono.

[fizza1]

will recording in mono make a huge difference?

[Jude May]

yep. biiiig difference. pick up a cheapish usb soundcard

[fizza1]

hey guys,
recorded onto my laptop, through my line in....came out sweet quality, no need for a usb connection....thanx for all your help itm members really appreciate it