How To Record MP3 while recording my guitar

[BFlatt]

Hi to all and this is my first ever post.

I really need some help on what to use to make my own home recording studio at a beginner level. I am so confused on which interface to use and how to use it to getting a proper recording on YouTube.

What I need to know is how can I record my videos for YouTube of me playing guitar ALONG with a MP3 on my computer, any help is appreciated. Right now I am recording using my camcorder by Sony, it's a great recorder but the sound is bad.

I bought M-Powered Pro Tools 8 Essential some time ago and just started to use it and I just figured out how to get rid of a pesky "ASIO error"...long story. Now that I just figured out how to record my guitar, I need to figure out, how the heck to I record myself playing say "Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams" or some other song while I have the MP3 playing along side of my sound?

The thing is, how do people make good sounding videos; for example there is a guy on YouTube who plays guitar with the MP3 song (The Cars' You Might Think); sorry I just don't know if I can put a link I'll try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbfKMB6A ... VvULEjUCbt

Would I need a video editor to sync the recording with Audacity or Pro Tools if so, is there a free program that meshes the two?

What I have right now is:

> M-Audio Pro Tools Essential 8.0.3 and the basic software

> AMD Hex core PC (not Mac, but getting one in the fall)
> 16 gigs of RAM 1600 Corsair 9-9-9-24 (I understand most interfaces can only use up to 4 and as low as 2 gigs due to???)
> AMD Phenom II 1055T @ 3.2 GHz overclocked by factory turbo mode otherwise runs at 2.8 Ghz @ 6 cores
> 500 Gig Seagate Barracuda 16 cache HDrive (but just found out a person should install another just for ?? the tracks?? not sure)
> DDR 3 Video Card Asus 4670 512 MB
> Asus M5A99X Evo Motherboard http://ca.asus.com/en/Motherboards/AMD_ ... 5A99X_EVO/
> Windows 7 Pro 64 bit (Sp1)

> Audacity (of course!)

> Behringer X1204USB Mixer (but I might take it back, I think I don't need it as the interface will be better off, mixer is overkill??)

> Art Pro Audio M One series USB condenser Microphone (needs phantom 48v) http://www.long-mcquade.com/?page=produ ... ctsID=8740

> Pioneer 521 vsx stereo amplifier http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/ ... /VSX-521-K


I had a ASIO error and there was no fix or update but found out that if I had my "onboard" sound (at back of computer) hooked up to my Stereo amp it would conflict with the M-Audio interface so I had to physically remove it, then the M-Audio program would load. If I did not, I would get the ASIO error, at least I figured this one out, pretty tough and bit of a headache!!

Getting back...

I am so lost to what to do/buy and I am open to suggestions. I don't need monitor speakers as I saw on YouTube that headphones work but I got SM 105 infinity monitor/speakers but they are not powered though, arrgghhh so I a then might! LOL (need some)! Right now I run the "aux" from the "CD" inputs on my Pioneer 521 vsx amplifier.

I need to learn but so many videos are on a higher level of skill and I have two that help me put up a voice, guitar and master track in Fast Track/Pro Tools Essential 8.

Thanks in advance if anyone has some good links or info. for a basic home recording studio setup on a small budget under $1000 hopefully.

[kozikowski]

That's very complete. Thank you for the good post. Headphones are required if you sing.

You want to do multi-track/overdubbing and it's very possible in Audacity (results assuming you can sing and play as well as he can).

There are some hardware issues. In general, you just use the computer as a "tape recorder" not the production mixer and the mixer you do use has to be compatible with the process.

The team wrote an extensive tutorial on this. I wrote the three hardware solutions. I didn't have a USB mixer when I wrote them, but you get the idea. To get rid of delays and echoes, your mixer has to play the older tracks to you and live mix your voice into your headphones. Without special hardware, the best you can do is not hear yourself well until you play it back.

http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Tuto ... k_Overdubs

Koz

[kozikowski]

He's something of a Mac commercial, isn't he? Next stop, billboards on Santa Monica Blvd.

You can do these tricks on any of the three major computers.

Koz