Home Recording on a budget

[punkin]

I'm a guitar player...I've got a POD 2.0 and a multi-track digital recorder/sequencer. Now I'm looking for the best way to introduce backgrounds and rhythm tracks.

I've got a lap top computer with a lousy sound card. I've tried to download drum-loops and bass lines from the web then shuffle to the recorder but the line-out audio sounds crappy at best.

Should I not bother with the computer thingy or is there another/better way to get drums and backgrounds (bass, percussion)...like maybe a synth or something completely different????

PS...I'm on a tight budget. Looking forward to some suggestions.

[acidrock]

What type of recorder do you have?
Does it have midi in/outs?
You could pick up a used drum machine or even a cheap new one and sync it to the recorder with midi.
This way you gain extra tracks and can change the drum sounds and patterns any time during the project.

Here's a very inexpensive drum machine that's midi capable...

http://www.americanmusical.com/item....item=ZOO+RT123

[punkin]

My multi-tracker does have midi in/out. It's a boss 8 track unit. What are your comments to getting other backup sounds like bass lines...think a seperate synth will be in order?

Thanks for the reply btw.

[acidrock]

Well I believe most newer units include bass sounds.
The thing to remember is that the BR8 only transmits a timecode or MTC midi time clock that syncs the drum machine with your 8-track.You said you were on a budget so a drum machine would be the cheapest.
Now if you were to get a keyboard with a built in sequencer you could get many backing tracks.
A standard GM keyboard that's multitimbral can play 16 different instruments or "patches at one time depending on the amount of polyphony (notes that it will play simultaneously) of the particular keyboard.
Drums would be considered one instrument and general midi and above keyboards include multiple drumkits.

So say you wanted drums,strings,bass and something else a keyboard with a built in sequencer could play all this simultaneously while being synced to your 8-track,in effect giving you many tracks.

[punkin]

Excellent input...thanks. So, to see if I get this right, an "all-in-one" or more complete approach would be a keyboard/synth unit with sequencer and midi capability?

Thanks Acidrock.

[punkin]

I've started looking into Acidrock's suggestion...I can begin to see the appeal of the keyboard synth/sequencer work station approach. I stand to avoid having to collect a lot of redundant equipment going this route.

In reading the multitude of product reviews, it seems that a common problem as I see it is that many of these product types seem to be geared toward the techno dance club genre.

I'm looking for something with a bit of realism which could be used for heavier rock to blues. Something with realistic sounding bass and drums a priority.

Any product suggestions would greatly help to thin out the field.


Thanks.

[acidrock]

The problem is that for the money a synthesiser workstation (sequencer,keyboard) is roughly the price of DAW (digital-audio-workstation)otherwise known as a computer.
If you're going to spend that kind of cash you get a hell of a lot of bang for the buck from a computer.
Keyboard:rocksolid dependibility,good for gigging and recording.Plus you need one anyways at very least as a controller.

Computer:Can record audio (as many tracks as system allows)and MIDI!
Can not be beaten for editing and versatility.

My reccomendation:if you want to go cheap get the drum machine
if you're willing to spend rethink your entire setup,a BR8 is a great starter to get you're feet wet with recording but not a long term solution if you're dedicated to this hobby/profession.


BTW:you may get better responses in another forum such as newbies or computer recording.Maybe even try the keyboard forum.

GOOD LUCK!