Recording songs... how best can I do this?

Question

I want to record some stuff I've written before I forget it. Years ago I had a double tape recorder for that sort of thing, but what is best to use these days? The age of technology baffles me and I don't want anything complicated. I want to be able to record a layer over what I record so I can do my own harmonies as well (but you can't do that using a dictaphone).

Without having to go to a recording studio can you suggest what I ought to buy to do this is my home. I will be playing the guitar as well and this needs to be picked up, so I wasn't sure about using a mic. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

There are some great digital multitrack recorders out there now.  All of these will accept a mic and guitar and will do what you want.  None of them are as simple as a cassette deck though.  You add some complexity for the functionality that you need (like layering).

http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Multitrack-R...

Answer 2

Well seeing how you obviously have a pc or laptop i would recomend using a usb condesor mic known as the blue snowball.

It works really well for recording anything from solos to massive amount of noises...including hard fast lound metal, or just acoustic

you can find them for anywhere around 65-125 dollars

And having the usb means you can record it to your pc and save it, and even burn cd's then.

There are also tons of free music programs out there for the pc so find which one you think would suit you best and enjoy