Here I am but how'd I get here

[fingersmagoo]

I tripped on this site reading info about research on a tascam 564. I want to start recording my guitar, violin, and singing and putting some of my ideas into songs. I have an opportunity to buy a tascam 564, actually a trade straight up for my hughes and kettner r-30 amp, both worth about 125-150 us. and I am debating that trade or buy a tascam dp-004. I figure there are some of you familiar with both machines and could give me an idea of which machine is a better machine, the money isn't really much different. I am very new to all this but been an idea I've kicked around for quite awhile. I should have named myself dazed and confused on this subject. My name is Glenn and any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Also, I own a 1202 mixer, and 2 sm58 mics for whatever info that is worth. I run xp in my computer, I have a really good soundcard a M-audio Audiophile2496 and crappy record now version 9 software, but it works, and what would be a good starting point for a recorder?

thanks and this definitely looks like the place to learn the tricks.
Glenn

 

[grimtraveller]

Well, if you must go for a 4 track machine the DP004 is definitely the one I'd go for.
I remember when I was making the jump to lightspeed (digital) about 7 years ago, I looked into various machines and I very nearly settled on Yamaha's 8 track minidisc machine. I'm glad that I didn't, only because minidisc was a format that just never took off in England and I figured finding discs might be difficult in the future.
I'm really tempted to suggest an 8 track {like the DP 008} but I won't as you've not steered your question that way. Just out of interest, is it only guitar, violin and vocals you intend to record ? If so, a 4 track should do you fine in the beginning.

 

[Track Rat]

Hi Glen. It looks like you have a computer and an interface. Why are you wanting the Tascam? From what you've listed, you should be able to hit the ground running and record with what you already have.

 

[fingersmagoo]

Well, if you must go for a 4 track machine the DP004 is definitely the one I'd go for.
I remember when I was making the jump to lightspeed (digital) about 7 years ago, I looked into various machines and I very nearly settled on Yamaha's 8 track minidisc machine. I'm glad that I didn't, only because minidisc was a format that just never took off in England and I figured finding discs might be difficult in the future.
I'm really tempted to suggest an 8 track {like the DP 008} but I won't as you've not steered your question that way. Just out of interest, is it only guitar, violin and vocals you intend to record ? If so, a 4 track should do you fine in the beginning.

I am just so unsure what to do here, but yes, my fiddle, guitar and voice. my son plays piano and has a mac and gets nice recordings but is so busy I don't want to bother him till he gets his masters next May. So maybe a piano into the mix but surely not for awhile. I was leary about the tascam 564 because for 50 dollars us. more I can purchase the dp-004. Thank you for the info.
glenn

 

[fingersmagoo]

I am going to have to read much more on this site but I am sure I will not be buying the tascam 564. Thank you for your thoughts track Rat.

 

[c7sus]

Get Reaper and you're good to go.

 

[moresound]

Welcome Glenn

Don't know how you got here? Were you messing around by a rabbit hole and fall in like I did?

 

[Bobbsy]

Well, if you must go for a 4 track machine the DP004 is definitely the one I'd go for.

I'm not so sure about this. In the past two weeks there have been two separate threads from people having noise problems with the DP004. It turns out that the external mic inputs are unbalanced and looking for high impedance cheapie mics which rules out any form of quality mic unless you use an external pre-amp and/or a matching transformer.

Bob

 

[fingersmagoo]

I'm not so sure about this. In the past two weeks there have been two separate threads from people having noise problems with the DP004. It turns out that the external mic inputs are unbalanced and looking for high impedance cheapie mics which rules out any form of quality mic unless you use an external pre-amp and/or a matching transformer.

Bob

Yes sir, I actually was reading that thread and now I wonder if that unit would serve me correctly, my son gets a great recording with his mac, their software is second to none. I think I'm going to have to bother him for his ideas on the mac, maybe try it first before I do anything. Appreciate your thoughts and the direction of your imput.

glenn

 

[Bobbsy]

I'm in a position where I use a PC-based audio work station at home and a Mac for playback duties at the theatre where I do freelance audio shifts. Frankly, I could be happy with either computer operating system. I'd certainly suggest something computer based for your recording, particularly as you have a good M-Audio interface. If it was me, I'd probably start by looking at the various bits of software available to see which you like--then choose the computer based on that. Also check that proper drivers (preferably ASIO) are available for whatever computer and OS you opt for.

As an aside, XP is an excellent OS for audio work--to some extent, Vista and W7 try to get too clever so you may not even want a new computer, at least while you're starting. I'm less of a fan of SM58s for recording though, especially for instruments. That might be an area to spend a bit of cash on!

There are tons of threads about both mics and software so I won't confuse you with my suggestions--other than to say "why not start with what you have then add/change things as you start to hit limitations?".

Good luck and have fun,

Bob

 

[grimtraveller]

I'm not so sure about this. In the past two weeks there have been two separate threads from people having noise problems with the DP004. It turns out that the external mic inputs are unbalanced and looking for high impedance cheapie mics which rules out any form of quality mic unless you use an external pre-amp and/or a matching transformer.

Yes sir, I actually was reading that thread and now I wonder if that unit would serve me correctly,

If you look at my last paragraph, you can see that I was really wanting to go in a different direction. Come to think of it, my opening sentence hints at the same thing. But Glenn was pretty specific and I answered based on his specificity. If someone asks "Should I get A or B ?", it's tempting to say "well, why not look at X, Y and Z". I do it sometimes. But sometimes I'm aware that I've not answered the specific question. It's a balance !
I'd still, if I had to go for a 4 track, go with the DP004 over a minidisk multitracker though. Have a look at this thread, it'll tell you my feelings on 4 tracks.