advice needed for 8track and equipment

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The Weatherman

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I am new to recording and I was reading up and I decided to get this 8track and mic:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/240239/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/273156/

What other equipment do I need?
I heard I need a preamp for the mic and those things seems kind of expensive, I haven't seen anything below $100. Do I absolutely need one?

Also, what kind of cable do I need to connect the mic to the 8track?
Should I get a stand for the mic too?
Do I need a shock mount?

Thanks ahead of time.
 
You won't need an extra preamp if that fostex supplies phantom power (if you're not concerned about the quality of cheap pres)

To connect the mic you need a standard XLR - XLR cable.
You should get a stand unless you want to be holding the mic up with your hands while recording :D
The mic you chose comes with a shockmount

-vv
 
GET A STAND! I spend three days trying to record without one and almost went insane :eek:

It a well worth investment that alot of newbies (like me :D ) overlook.
 
You have picked two of the cheapest things on musicians friend. haha just kidding.

The MXL being an LDC will need phantom power, and I don't think that fosex has it. Im not sure what it does have but it sure doesn't show off any pres or phantom for that, so I'm assuming not. If you can't find a pre for under 100 then you aren't looking close enough. I'd suggest the M-Audio Audiobuddy. For 50 bux, you get two solid state pres with phantom. They are not noisy at all also. I did notice a big difference in clarity when I upgraded to my DMP3s, but It will suit you well. Also you could get a Presonus tubepre for 100 bux. I own two myself, and they are by far not my favorite pre. The tube doesn't allow for much headroom as it is small and doesn't give the full tube sound. But It will once again suit you. Also I'd say look at the reviews on the 8 track you picked. A lot of complainers there, I might factor that in.

Ben
 
I can't find anything resonable though. It seems to be really good deal, there's not that many complaints...

So all I would need is a stand, XLR(or whatever) cable, and a preamp?

Could you link me to some good preamps please (preferably on Musicians Friend)? I'm terrible at mixing up the model numbers and varities.
 
emergencyexit said:
You have picked two of the cheapest things on musicians friend. haha just kidding.

The MXL being an LDC will need phantom power, and I don't think that fosex has it. Im not sure what it does have but it sure doesn't show off any pres or phantom for that, so I'm assuming not. If you can't find a pre for under 100 then you aren't looking close enough. I'd suggest the M-Audio Audiobuddy. For 50 bux, you get two solid state pres with phantom. They are not noisy at all also. I did notice a big difference in clarity when I upgraded to my DMP3s, but It will suit you well. Also you could get a Presonus tubepre for 100 bux. I own two myself, and they are by far not my favorite pre. The tube doesn't allow for much headroom as it is small and doesn't give the full tube sound. But It will once again suit you. Also I'd say look at the reviews on the 8 track you picked. A lot of complainers there, I might factor that in.

Ben
Click to expand...

The MXL 990 is not an LDC. It's capsule is a 19mm; the same size as a 603s.
 
Just so you know, this thing is advertised as having "50 track minutes" and recording on a 256 MB memory card - in real life, 50 track minutes is one single 6 minute tune on all 8 tracks presuming you don't have any alternate versions of individual tracks at all, so if you want to record multi-track things using more that a couple of tracks, you'll quickly tire of buying new memory cards for each song or two.

If you want only the most basic recorder and only plan on doing 1 - 4 tracks per song, it's probably OK.

It doesn't have phantom power which the mic needs, as pointed out elsewhere, so you'll need the preamp - you'll also need an additional cable to connect the preamp to the recorder - same type as the mic cable most likely, but shorter to save tripping over the damn thing.
 
If you want something cheap that has phantom power, you could also get a cheap Behringer UB802 mixer ($50). This is what I have for home recording; the mic preamps in it aren't the best sounding in my opinion, but they're workable: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Mixers?sku=631238

It might make more sense to buy a cheap mic preamp--I don't know--but I've gone with the phantom-powered mixer approach. Similarly, in my band's rehearsal/recording space (to call it a "studio" would be a stretch), we use a Mackie 1402, and we just use the mic pres built into the mixer. It hasn't been worth it to us to invest in a good mic pre yet. Someday, though.

There are also phantom power supplies (in lieu of full-blown mic preamps) you can buy; I haven't used these though, so I can't comment on them.
 
Armistice said:
Just so you know, this thing is advertised as having "50 track minutes" and recording on a 256 MB memory card - in real life, 50 track minutes is one single 6 minute tune on all 8 tracks presuming you don't have any alternate versions of individual tracks at all, so if you want to record multi-track things using more that a couple of tracks, you'll quickly tire of buying new memory cards for each song or two.

If you want only the most basic recorder and only plan on doing 1 - 4 tracks per song, it's probably OK.

It doesn't have phantom power which the mic needs, as pointed out elsewhere, so you'll need the preamp - you'll also need an additional cable to connect the preamp to the recorder - same type as the mic cable most likely, but shorter to save tripping over the damn thing.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just need basic recording capabilities.

As I finish each song I'll upload it to my computer.

Also, I'm only going to have maybe 2 guitars, a bass and (maybe drums).
 
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