Lay Down Tracks on Your iPod

[Ian David]

Lay Down Tracks on Your iPod

Using the barely noticeable line-in jack on Belkin's TuneTalk accessory, singer-songwriter Jimmy Camp recorded his entire Captain America album on his iPod. You can use your pocket player as a recording studio, too. Just remember: Camp's technique mixes straight to stereo, meaning no overdubs or samples. So you'll need to play guitar or keyboards while you sing (or invite someone over who does). Here's what to do:

1. Use three microphones: one for the main instrument, one for your voice, and another to pick up ambient room sound. Connect them to a simple mixer and route its output to the TuneTalk's stereo input.
2. Do lots of takes. You're not paying for a studio or engineering help -- the trade-off is tons of trial and error.
3. Try different rooms. Record all over the house (including the bathroom) and experiment with adding or removing rugs from a room's hardwood floor.
4. Get it out there. Camp recorded all 10 songs and submitted them to iTunes within three days. He insists you could really do it in one.

More:
http://howto.wired.com/wiredhowtos/index.cgi?page_name=lay_down_tracks_on_your_ipod;action=display;category=Play

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. Is this using the iPod's native recording feature?

If so, the s/n ratio is absolutely abominable.