Garageband and/or Tascam 788

[echomajik]

Hi all,

This is my first post and I'm just getting started with recording, so bear with me. I'm looking to record my band (three piece, rock...drums, bass, guitar and vocals) I have a mac with garageband. I also have a Tascam 788 that I've hardly used. My questions are;
1. Which is better for recording on? (sound quality?)
2. Can I somehow use them together?
3. If I can use them together, what do I need? wires? software? etc?
Thanks in advance for ANY help.
Chuck

[KineticSound]

Chuck,
Welcome. In your immediate situation, I would use the 788 as the primary recording tool, since you already have one and that's a free option!

You could use the 788 as a preamp/submixer for GarageBand if you want to record a few tracks at a time (more on that below). However, since GarageBand doesn't have great sync functions, and the 788 doesn't have a way to transfer audio files directly to your computer, you'll be limited in how you can use them together.

If you want to record/edit your music in GarageBand, you could have everyone plug into the 788's six inputs (4 preamps plus 2 aux in's for keys, drum machine, etc.), mix the signals there, and simply connect the stereo headphone output to the line in on your Mac (using a simple cable from Radio Shack). The drawback here is that you can only record the stereo mix. If you want to multi-track, you'll need to do a new pass with each instrument. If you want to record the whole band together, but still keep instruments on their own track, best to do it within the 788.

Good luck!
David

[echomajik]

Hi David,
Thanks for the info.
Would I be going forward or backward if I bought an interface for Garageband and used that instead of the 788 to multi-track?
Chuck

[KineticSound]

Sideways. GarageBand doesn't play well with others. If you were at the point where you decided to go the computer route, I'd probably suggest you look at upgrading to Logic, Cubase, Pro-Tools, etc. GarageBand is too watered-down to be truly useful as a multi-tracking tool.

If you want to go that route, look for an interface that: a) has the best preamps and A/D conversion available for your price point and b) works well with your software of choice.