Begginer Recorder, Need help

[TheEvilErk2008]

Im beggining to record some stuff for my band, but do not have any expirience in recording. I have a tape deck and amps, plus a computer capable of transfering recordings form the tape decks to. i am wondering what instruments should be recorded when, adn how, especially the drums. Because we are prog rock, time signiture and rythm are rarely constant. should the recordings be combined on a tape, or recorded seperatly and then added to a tracking on the computer? If the latter is used, how do make sure each instrument is in time?

 

[Red Dog Studios]

This whole thing depends on your budget, if you have one. if you do, i would suggest that you put in on a Mixer, computer interface with good recording sofware. That would be down to the basic but it would prolly have alot better sound than the tape deck.

 

[TheEvilErk2008]

I purchased a mixer off of ebay but it did not work when i recieved it. I have no budget; i have no money, but im not looking to get a quality recording, just a basic one in which i can overdub and stuff but i am not sure of the best way to do that with analog equipment. Any tips from the stone age of recording?

 

[gordone]

When asking ?s, you need to give us more details. What "tape deck" do you have?

 

[Red Dog Studios]

well i would suggest just do the best you can to get a ok sound on tape and then transfer the tape into the computer to edit it and inhance it. that is a really lo-fi thing to do, but if you have no budget, that might be one of the best things you can do with your set up right now.

 

[LfO]

We do need more info from you. I assume your tape deck is something like a 4-track? With a (cheap?) tape deck, you're not going to get big studio quality - that said, a blah recording of a great performance is still interesting. You've just got to accept that you're not going to get great recordings until you a) can afford solid equipment and b) have great engineering skills. Accept that you're going to make the best demos that you can, and be happy with that for now.

Analog, as a rule, is far from the stone age of recording - there are many current pros who hate digital. I think they're crazy, myself, but I'm a complete amateur, so who am I to talk Anyway, the fact that its analog isn't a big handicap - I'm guessing from what you said that its cheap equipment, though.

I hope you complained loudly to whoever sold you the mixer and/or e-bay.

As a recording tip, get your drums first, then bass, then get around to everything else. Assuming your drummer can keep time, this will give everyone else the equivalent of a click track.

My 2 cents for today.

 

[TimOBrien]

Good Newbie guide:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Good beginner recording book that'll show you how to set up your studio and software:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

Recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html