A few years ago, Roger McGuinn made a CD called "Treasures from the FolkDen." He traveled the country, recording classic songs on location with folklegends such as Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Josh White, Jr. andOdetta, among others. The resulting CD, which was nominated for a GrammyAward in 2001 for Best Traditional Folk Album, was made entirely on hislaptop!Roger has since become a major advocate of multi-track recording on a basichome computer set-up. On this DVD, he shares what he has learned aboutmaking CDs with beginners who would like to make their own home recordingsthis way. Using his compelling song "May the Road Rise" (co-written with hiswife, Camilla McGuinn) as an example, he replicates the process by which herecords a song from conception to final product. He demonstrates,step-by-step, how he lays down the basic tracks, overdubs his vocals, addsharmonies and guitar riffs, doubles the parts and comes up with a completerecording with his trademark vocal and guitar sound. Finally, you1ll see howRoger mixes the result to a two-track stereo file and burns it to a CD.
Roger's equipment set-up, ideas about mic placement, advice on how to backup your project, and other tips will get you started recording your ownsongs on your computer.
BONUS: An interview with Roger, made for Dell Computers, in which he talksabout his background, musical ideas and enthusiasm for the possibilitiesinherent in home computer recording.
Here’s the basic stuff you’ll need to begin recording on your PC or Mac (from the booklet enclosed with the DVD):
1) Recording Software, such as Cool Edit (now called Adobe Audition), Logic, Nuendo, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, etc.
2) A laptop or desktop computer, PC or Mac, that meets or surpasses the minimum requirements set forth by your software.
3) An audio interface. There are many different options in this category, and some basic types will be diagramed in the booklet
4) Headphones
5) At least 1 microphone and / or instrument with direct output (example: acoustic guitar with a pickup)
6) Audio mixer. This is optional, depending on the type of audio interface you choose
7) External hard drive. This is also optional, depending on whether you are using a laptop or desktop, and your disk space and disk speed requirements.