Recording on a cd recorder

[David Zornes]

Friends, using a cd recorder, how do I or can I record my steel onto a cd with a rhythm track? I used this technique many years ago using a duel cassette recorder; but I recorded the soundtrack and instrumentation direct onto the cassette. I’m thinking the same process for the cd recorder/ but what is the technique?

[Tony Prior]

the process is exactly the same, the recording media is NOT. Once you begin with a CD burn you can't stop. Direct to CD recording is NOT an efficient procedure, the process is the same , its the recording MEDIA ( CD) thats restricting.

CD's are great for FINAL project transfer or saving data. But for tracking a project from start to finish , well, you may be throwing a lot of them away and starting over from the beginning again !

[David Zornes]

Thanks Tony. I appreciate your tip.

[b0b]

It's better to record into a computer and then burn the CD from there. Or use a digital recorder with a memory card than can be put in your computer to burn the CD.

I use a free program called Audacity to normalize the levels of my recordings before I commit them to CD. You can also record multiple tracks directly into Audacity, laying down the rhythm track first and then work on the steel track separately. In the end, you save it as a stereo file and that's what goes onto the CD.

[David Zornes]

Wow- Bob that sounds do-able for even me. Thanks for another great tip. Could I put the soundtrack on the computer first, then play it back on the computer with my steel overdub, and then save it and put it onto a CD that way? Of course, I would have to get a microphone set up to put in front of my amp- or not.

[b0b]

Yes, that's exactly right. You'll get the best results using a USB interface to run the guitar signal into the computer. I've had good results with this old Line6 TonePort which I'm no longer using. If you want to try it, send me a PM and we'll work out a deal.