i desperately need some feedback

[krisvsworld]

ok, so ive been in the basic recording game for a few years now. just using computer mics with audacity, sony acid pro, and now garage band. recording on the computer, especially with a computer mic, never gave me the sound i wanted. i'm looking for a warmer fuller sound, and i hear analog is the way to go. so, i am planning on investing in a 4 track recorder from ebay, roughly between $150-$200. this leads to my first question, or problem, i dont really know how to use a 4 track recorder. will i be able to mix the tracks onto one track so i can have more than just 4 tracks for each recording?

secondly, with buying a 4 track recorder, i figure i will need a mic. so, what sorta equipment will i need to buy along with a mic? ive read a lot about mic preamps and buying some sort of converter plug for the mic to work on the 4 track recorder.

i''m trying to keep this project as cheap as i can, but i dont want to sacrifice a decent quality sound as well.

also, if i do record on 4 track recorder, is there anyway i can transfer it onto a computer so i can burn it on cds.

and for reference, it would be nice to know if theres a cheaper route with sticking with garageband.

thankyou

[mixsit]

I doubt that's the problem. Digital is a blank slate. You can 'do about any sound you like by getting it at the source.

[drossfile]

Originally Posted by krisvsworld

i'm looking for a warmer fuller sound, and i hear analog is the way to go. so, i am planning on investing in a 4 track recorder from ebay, roughly between $150-$200. this leads to my first question, or problem, i dont really know how to use a 4 track recorder. will i be able to mix the tracks onto one track so i can have more than just 4 tracks for each recording?

you can "bounce" tracks down, but it's tedious compared to digital. plus you lose sound quality, and the quality you start with isn't very good anyway.

Originally Posted by krisvsworld

secondly, with buying a 4 track recorder, i figure i will need a mic. so, what sorta equipment will i need to buy along with a mic? ive read a lot about mic preamps and buying some sort of converter plug for the mic to work on the 4 track recorder.

the 4-track will have built-in preamps (though not very good ones). most likely they'll be balanced 1/4" jacks. the converter you would need is xlr(f) to 1/4"TRS(m). but that's assuming you're using a regular, not usb, mic. external pres might sound better, but with the amount of tape hiss you get out of those machines, it's not gonna make much difference.

Originally Posted by krisvsworld

i''m trying to keep this project as cheap as i can, but i dont want to sacrifice a decent quality sound as well.

well, you'll be doing just that. those machines are NOISY!!!

Originally Posted by krisvsworld

also, if i do record on 4 track recorder, is there anyway i can transfer it onto a computer so i can burn it on cds.

only a cd burner with rca inputs so you can mix down the 4-track tape to a tape deck and then burn the mix tape to cd-r in real time.

Originally Posted by krisvsworld

and for reference, it would be nice to know if theres a cheaper route with sticking with garageband.

thankyou

i'm guessing your biggest problem is with the computer mic. get yourself an interface and a couple decent mics that are well-suited to what you're recording and i think you'll be surprised at the return on investment.

and i don't know anything about garageband, but if you want to switch daws, i'm pretty sure reaper is free and a couple guys here make incredible recordings with it (gregL and chris harris). just a thought.

[stealth_prod]

Id say stay with the PC if money is a problem. Pick yourself up a decent interface and mic and your done. Most of the interfaces out there come with a DAW software so you would be set. Do a little research and if needed take a step back and save a little more to do it right so you wont have to do it over again.

[Dani Pace]

For a couple of hundred bucks your best bet might be to get a 2 chanel usb interface (m-audio or something similar) and a decent mic. Computer mics and soundcards just are not of the quality you need for recording music. A little upgrade can make a lot of difference to a computer based recording system. Another reason to upgrade your computer is, tapes (CrO2 used for recording) are expensive and getting hard to locate. Regular tape will work but it is very noisy and gets muddy sounding when you bounce tracks.

[krisvsworld]

thanks a bunch guys, it looks like i'm probably going to stick with the computer then. would you have any recommendations for an interface and mic at lets say, a $250-$300 budget?

and for your information, i'll just be recording guitar, vocals, keyboards, and random noises.