Just getting started, and I have questions

[seagull20]

I am just getting started in recording, and I have some questions. I am planning on buying a very basic, simple, four-track to start out on. So,

1. Tascam MF-P01 or Fostex X-12. Which one is better?

2. Could you record tapes onto CD's if you had the right equipment?

3. If so, what is that equipment?

4. I am planning on using my amp for recording instead of plugging directly in, so does it sound better to mic the amp or to run a line out from the amp into the recorder?

I'm sure these are all really dumb questions, but I appreciate any answers or advice you can give me. Thanks in advance!

[AlChuck]

1. Tascam MF-P01 or Fostex X-12. Which one is better?

I don't know. Probably either is OK.

2. Could you record tapes onto CD's if you had the right equipment?
3. If so, what is that equipment?

Yes, absolutely, all you need is a pair of cables just like you would need to play the Tascam or Fostex through a receiver or a pair of powered speakers, and a properly-equipped computer (that is, equipped with at least basic sound hardware -- an onboard audio chip would suffice -- along with a CD burner and software to control it with) or other form of CD-burner. You might need an adapter to take a pair of RCA or 1/4" plugs to a stereo miniplug to make the connection to the computer.

4. I am planning on using my amp for recording instead of plugging directly in, so does it sound better to mic the amp or to run a line out from the amp into the recorder?

The short answer is, it almost always sounds better to mic an amp than to use the line out of a guitar amp when recording guitar. But there are many factors. With a mic, mic placement is critical, whereas a line-level signal is easier to get set up. With a mic, you have to turn the amp up loudly enough to get the sounds you want, which might be difficult depending on your living situation. A great tool is one of these amp modelers (POD, J-Station, etc.) that you can plug a guitar into and get a palette of "modeled" amp tones that emulate the signal you get from micing a real amp.

[mikeh]

I think the Tascam and the Fostex function much the same. I'm more of a Tascam fan than Fostex.

You can dump a tape onto a CD. You need a CD burner (most likely your computer has one) and you need a digital audio interface (prefer stereo), which your sound card may have. NOte: cheap sound cards normally have low quality converters.

You don't mention what your axe is. If you are running a guitar into a combo, than I would suggest mic'ing the speakers (to get some air moving) - a low cost SM 57 would work well (but you will likely need an XLR to 1/4" converter to feed your 4 track recorder. If you are running a keyboard (vs. guitar) then running a line out should be fine.

[seagull20]

Alright guys, thanks for your responses. I play (Acoustic) Guitar, Mandolin, and Banjo. I run all of these through a 50-watt Guitar amp. I have decided on the Tascam, and I will be miking the amp. One other question. Can you buy a CD burner that doesn't install in your computer and that you can just use? I have an ancient computer, and it crashes even if I'm doing something as simple as downloading a document. I know it wouldn't support CD burning if I bought a burner for it, so I have to take a different route with that.

[bsanfordnyc]

Yes, you can buy standalone CD burners. As a matter of fact, Tascam makes one.

[mikeh]

Tascam make a good stand alone unit. Phillips also makes some decet units (I think Tascam is better - but more costly.