recording, practice sessions

[lefty54]

I am interested in learning what others are using to record their practice sessions.  I am currently exploring my options.

[matonanjin]

Define "record their practice sessions" please.

1. Record your playing to an audio file for review? or,
2. Log your time practicing?  So you have a record of daily time practiced, etc.

[Wim VD]

@lefty54,

if you have an iPhone or iPad, the easiest option is to install Garageband and to connect your guitar with an adapter like iRig.

Garageband is good enough to record practice sessions or your own backing tracks.

Wim.

[lefty54]

Matonanjin

Record myself playing, so I can play back for review to find trouble spot and fix

[NeilES335]

The simplest way I've found without a lot of gadgets is to use the voice recorder on your cell phone.... I think they all have them. I also use my Ditto X2 looper sometimes. The X2 allows you to save and download it if you wish or play solos overtop. It saves even when unplugged.

[tjmeyers]

For audio recording I use a Roland R-05. For video recording I use a Zoom Q4n.

Both work great for me.

[NeilES335]

10 hours ago, lefty54 said:

I am interested in learning what others are using to record their practice sessions.  I am currently exploring my options.

Another option for higher quality recording and simple operation would be a Zoom H1 Handy recorder. About $100.00. 

[Fretless]

I use a Zoom HN2, one of the self-contained recorders. I record myself, ideas, band practices, church services and other events and concerts.

For simply recording so that you can hear what you have been playing most folk have smartphones these days and so an app on that would be a logical way.

[Six String]

For just practice I use an iPhone app called "Just press record".  Works exactly like in sounds. 

If you want higher fidelity recording to share with others, the other options presented here are definitely better options but if you just want a quick way to record you playing with minimal investment this works fine.

I was looking at buying a Zoom, but this has worked for me so far.  

[Randy120]

I have an M-Audio Fast Track C400 audio interface, two microphones, and I use Pro Tools DAW software. There are a lot of ways to do it. The phone is the lowest quality. Invest in an USB audio interface for your computer then get DAW software. 

[matonanjin]

Lefty, I bought a guitar interface, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and a Multitrack DAW, Reaper.  It wasn't that big of financial investment: $100 for the interface and $60? for Reaper.  But it was a HUGE investment in time getting it connected and, especially, learning the software.  I used it a lot.  For a few months.  And I haven't used it in at least a year?

Now, if I want a quick recording I use the record feature on my Boss EBand JS-10.  Is it multitrack, mixed high qulity recording?  No, but then neither were my recordings with Reaper???    But for a quick, dirty recording to audit my playing the JS-10 is perfect.  You have your backing track ready, hit the red R button, hit play and when your done hit stop.  Then play to listen.  It saves it automatically with a new name in one's "User" list.

The nice thing about the JS-10 is it does so much more.  It comes with different Amp simulations and a ton of effects.  If you're working one of Steve's lessons or a lick or anything you can slow it down and loop it.  

It's not a cheap solution but it has been one of my most used learning tools since I started guitar.  There are quite a few on here that also use it.   For just recording yourself I'm sure any one of the solutions above, from cell phone to Zoom recorder is going to work.

And your thread has reminded me I need to record myself more.  Thank you.

[lefty54]

All good information.

Thank you

 

[Six String]

All, I have to argue that a DAW/multi input interface is not the best option for recording practice.  It can be used for that, true, but you don't need that complexity or quality just to record a passage you are working on.  

I have the capability to simultaneously record 16 tracks through our mixer or 2 track through a Presonus interface to a DAW if I want I high quality recordings, with the ability to do post production.  However, it takes time to set that stuff up properly which all too often would discourage most people from using the powerful tool of recording yourself practice. A highly portable tool where you can push one button and get a passable recording is the best option for this kind of recording.

A Zoom is both handy and high quality (tracks could be imported into a DAW later if wanted), but a phone APP is more than adequate for recording and playing back practice to help you find and fix problem areas.  Either are way more portable to record a jam or group practice away from home than a DAW/Interface/Laptop.

IMHO a DAW is far more useful for recording when you have the piece pretty well down and want to take the time to create a really good recording of your performance.

[matonanjin]

17 hours ago, Six String said:

All, I have to argue that a DAW/multi input interface is not the best option for recording practice.  It can be used for that, true, but you don't need that complexity or quality just to record a passage you are working on. 

Six, I couldn't agree more.  That is the point, very circuitously, that I was trying to make.   I wasted a lot of time getting my DAW set up and then learning it.  Only to come back to using my Boss for "quick, dirty" recordings of my practice.

Probably not accurate to say "wasted" because should I ever want to record something I want to share, I have that knowledge.  But I don't need that quality of recording  just to critique my practice.  I can get every bit as depressed listening to my playing with a very quick recording!  ??

Thanks for your input.

[NeilES335]

2 hours ago, matonanjin said:

Six, I couldn't agree more.  That is the point, very circuitously, that I was trying to make.   I wasted a lot of time getting my DAW set up and then learning it.  Only to come back to using my Boss for "quick, dirty" recordings of my practice.

Probably not accurate to say "wasted" because should I ever want to record something I want to share, I have that knowledge.  But I don't need that quality of recording  just to critique my practice.  I can get every bit as depressed listening to my playing with a very quick recording!  ??

Thanks for your input.

The recording with a dAW is like a separate hobby / interest  from my pov...i just want to play guitar.   K..I.S.S.

[Six String]

13 hours ago, NeilES335 said:

The recording with a dAW is like a separate hobby / interest  from my pov...i just want to play guitar.   K..I.S.S.

This is the clearest explanation of the issue so far.