recording

[bslyons]

I want to buy my son a recording studio for xmas. I've been on the internet for weeks. I don't know a thing about recording. I've thought of the Tuscam 414, but it says in reviews that you need a mix down deck. I have no idear what this is. My son is in a band and they want to make demos. I do not want to spend more than $500. if possible, but I don't want to waste money on junk either. This would be his first time at recording, so it should be easy, right? I also checked out a Zoom MRS 4 multitrack digital recording studio. This takes a smart card(I know what that is), but you need a computer for that right? Please give me a few suggestions if possible. As I've said I do not have a clue as to what is good. What is needed to go along with anything. I looked for web cites to tell about such things. And then I found you. Thanks, Bonnie

[grinder]

A home stereo cassette deck can be used for mixing down to.You don't need a computer for smart cards.How many instruments is he planning on recording?The machines you mentioned will work but are pretty limited for recording a descent demo.They work better for sketching out ideas for songs.Maybe buying him studio time at a local studio would be a better idea.

[Bob Keelan]

hmmm, interesting dilemma. I would say, for a band situation, you're gonna need a minimum of 4 tracks of simultaneous recording capability. In your price range I would think this is gonna leave you out of the digital world although you can browse the recorders at www.musiciansfriend.com to verify this.

The Tascam 424 will give you a total of 6 tracks w/4 channels simultaneous recording for about $330. Ideally, I'd want more than 6 tracks but I'm trying to stay within your budget.

Edit: I'm also looking at the Foxtex VF80 which is 8 tracks of digital recording but I can't for the life of me discern how many tracks of simultaneneous recording you get with this. This can be had for $500 without the CDRW which you will probably want to add at some point. Just another idea.

Good luck!

[TexRoadkill]

Take the $500 and buy him some studio time.

[Mark7]

Originally posted by Bob Keelan
The Tascam 424 will give you a total of 6 tracks w/4 channels simultaneous recording for about $330. Ideally, I'd want more than 6 tracks but I'm trying to stay within your budget.

Erm, you mean four tracks with six channels.

[Outlaws]

Originally posted by TexRoadkill
Take the $500 and buy him some studio time.

In all honesty, that would have to ne my suggestion too as the best bang for the buck. Plus its good experience working with real equipment first hand so you knwo what you need later on when you put together your own setup.



But...........


You said they want to make "demos"...as in more than one and on more than one occasion I assume.


My pick for the best bang for the buck would be something from Roland.

VS880 on Ebay This thing is 8 tracks, 4 at a time, and has some VERY powerful effects with the effects card. I believe this one comes with one...but I didn't look very closely.... I have the VS1680 which is basically the same thing but with 16 tracks and 8 at a time capability. I love the thing. You can get very professional sounding stuff out of it with a little practice. The only thing you would need after you buy this, would be some microphones.

www.vsplanet.com is an online group, just like this one you are in right now, that is devoted to the VS workstation recorders. You will be able to get any help you need on any question imaginable.


So basically the only thing your son would need is a couple microphones and cables and he would be ready to go.


The number of tracks that can be recorded at once was brought up........

This thing would do 4, and then let you "overdub" up to 4 more for a total of 8. But if sometime if the future your son got a "mixing board", then he could record his whole band to those 4 tracks, and then do almost unlimited overdubs for that Beatles/LedZeppelin/Mozart kind of creativity. You also have "virtual tracks" which are very helpful and a tape machine like the 414 physically cannot have. I won't get into those right now.


Good luck.

[Bob Keelan]

Originally posted by Mark7
Erm, you mean four tracks with six channels.

doh! my bad! scratch that. what was I thinking?

[bslyons]

Thank you for your help! I'm searching the internet for the VS1680. I'm sure my son would thank you, too!

[Outlaws]

The 1680 is worlds apart from the 880 interms of editing and overal performance since you have so many extra tracks, but the sound should be the same since it uses the same preamps and technology inside. The thing costs a lot more....but if you think he is really serious about this then I would say it is definatly worth the extra money. The larger LCD screen alone makes it worth it.

[grinder]

The VS1680 is a nice machine.A little over the $500 budget though.

[trogdor]

I would definitely second the Roland VS idea. I started on 4 track cassette recorders, but when I got my first digital workstation (the Roland VS-880EX -$450 on ebay several years ago) I was in heaven. The thing sounds great...for someone who is new to recording, he'll love it. It's also a good idea, becuase it's basically a self-contained studio with FX and a mixer onboard. Buying a bunch of different pieces of gear can get confusing at first.

I would advise this over getting him studio time. He will learn a ton more by going through the process himself of recording his band. Going into a studio with racks of equipment will only go over his head.

I don't know how old your son is, but I'm 21 and speaking from my own experiences. good luck!

[formerlyfzfile]

I PM'd you, in case your search for a 1680 brings you outside your budget.

I think the Roland effects are very good.

A great way to start.

-mike