confused

[notfrank]

ok...so i have been checking out many different web sites. i want to start recording some music. i have a low budget and i have no idea which equipment to purchase. i have the general idea of what it all does, but i am so confused. if any patient person out there has some advice for me i would greatly appreciate it!
THANX

[Shana]

Hey there,,Dont fret, I was in the same place you are a year ago. I'm sure I could help you .
What kind of music do you want to record?
What instruments do you play?
Do you have any equipment yet?
What exactly is your budget?
Do you want to eventually make a cd, minidisc or casette?
Do you have a computer you can use to record?
What level of quality are you lookig for? (scratch, demo, professional)?
Any vocal recording?

Get back to me
Shana

[notfrank]

ok

i want to record metal music
i play the drums and my friend plays guitar
no equipment at this time
my budget really depends...i could save....and i will be starting a new part time job soon so im not really sure about that...im t hinkin about askin for some stuff for christmas...like mics and stuff
eventually i want to make a cd...but i want to start of with a tape
i have a computer yes....but i dont really want to use it...its hard to get computer time in thins house for any length of time
i dont know the different qualities....maybe demo?
no vocal recordings at this time no!

[bvaleria]

Buy yourself a basic, (inexpensive) cassette multitrack and learn how to make best use of it (read the FAQs at this website)... if you eventually get to the point where you feel your skills outdo your gear - you're on the right track and you can upgrade; if not, don't worry about it and keep at it!



Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

[jet-rocker]

You might want to look at some used portastudios, they've been going for almost nothing since the digital craze struck. Plus if you ever do go digital, you can keep the four or eight track as a sub-mixer for drums.

For guitar and drums the best mics to have are relatively cheap.

Shure SM-57's 80 new or 50-60 used. Two or three would be good.

Probably Shana has some good advice too.
Good luck

-Jett Rocker

[notfrank]

ok..portastudios

what is it...and where do i get it...
im tellin yah...im such a newbie!

[Shana]

I started off with a tascam portastudio for about 299$ and it kept me busy for quite a while . You could probably get a cheaper on used or on ebay. It's not fancy equipment so it may be worthwhile to by 2nd hand and save some cash. You can get a 3 pack of mikes for under 100 bucks and moniters for as low as 60$ if you shop around. If you really want to save you can skip the moniters and use headphones for now. Don't put out too much money. You may decide recording is not for you and youd rather go to a studio so dont splurge just yet. You can muck around with the stuff for a month till you have to decide to keep it all or not. As for mixing down a regular tape deck and rca cables will be enough. It wont sound great but that depends on what youre used to. When i listen to what i recorded a year ago im remember how i thought it was great then. Hopefully ill think the same thing next year. (If i could possibly afford ANY more equipment) In the meantime..see what you could pull together..keep reading and save your cigerette money. You'll need it.

Gluck
Shana

[Shana]

A portastudio is a potable studio! that records your music (your electric guitar that you plug in or your mike whic gyou would plug into it) onto a casette. Its a flat lightweight tape recorder with sliders like a mixer would have. They have them in every instrument store so go check one out!

[notfrank]

that is so great...thanx for all your help....i really appreciate it!!!

-notfrank-