Bouncing Tracks on a 4 track...can I use a minidisc rec?

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muzicman8739

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Hey, I have a Tascam 414 and (it's all I can afford so please don't suggest going digital, I can't afford it) I'm trying to bounce tracks in order to open up at least the last 2 tracks for vocals. The ways I have been told to do it are to either use a DAT (which I also can't afford) mixdown from 4 to 2 and rerecord the two; or a digital VCR :same process, but I don't know how to do it or what kind of tapes I should use. But what I want to know is if it is possible to use a minidisc recorder using the same process. I'm pretty sure it's possible, but I've heard that there's compression. Is this true, and if so how will it affect the tracks that I've already mixed?
 
Minidisc compression has to do with storage compression, NOT signal dynamics.... The conservation techniques that the MD format uses DOES change the sound slightly, but you will still get good results, probably better than you would using the VCR, and infinitely better than submixing to 2 tracks on your porta-studio.....

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound
 
Muzicman:

Before I got the Korg D16 I used a Yamaha MT50 four track cassette. I usually would fill all four tracks and then mix down to two tracks on my sony minidisc. Then I would transfer that back two two tracks on the yamaha. I would always advance the tape on the four track so the original four tracks were preserved. It work alright. Don't worry about the compression on the minidisc. I know it isn't compression in the dynamics sense, but I always thought that the music sounded better after the bounce to the minidisc and back to tape. Note: always use your noise reduction such as dbx if you have it.
 
The most recent issue of 'Recording' magazine (January 2001) has a little tidbit related to your question. In the section where their 'experts' critique submitted works, they express amazement at one tape received from a guy who used a Tascam 246 4-track to get a 'full sound' and 'wide stereo field' using several instruments and bouncing tracks (pg. 59). Like Markert mentions, the guy fills up 4 tracks first, then bounces them to a minidisc and back, then adds more stuff. Anyway, in the article he describes how he did the whole recording. It's interesting reading for those of us still in analog land!
 
Thanks and one more question...

Hey Bruce and Markert, thanks for the info and advice and England, I just picked up that magazine earier today and I read the review of the reader tape that you spoke of. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, I just have one more question now, is it okay to use one of the portable minidisc recorders? I can afford one of those and I have the space for one, and it'd be nice if I could use it to walk around and listen on, instead of my walkman which keeps eating my tapes.

ps
Markert, my first and last steps are making sure the noise reduction is on, and then I press record.
 
Muzicman:

As for the portable question, you need to note that the portable minidiscs usually have limited input gain control. Maybe a better solution would be to try and find one of the bundled packages that Sony sometimes sells. It has a full size home minidisc recording deck and also comes with a portable minidisc that is only a player.
 
Sony has a home deck (the MDSJE440) with ATRAC DSP Type-R (the newest and best compression out there for minidisc) for the same price as the MZR37SP portable MD recorder. The home deck will give you better control for recording. Neither have digital outs which shouldn't be a big deal for your situation. I would go for the home deck... its what im buying next paycheck!!
 
It can be done. - You will lose a tiny bit of quality if you're using 24 bit digital recorders, but I doubt you'd notice on a Tascam. -

I'm even using my handheld minidisk recorder to bounce stuff to my computer - only problem is only one type of crummy input-output (1/8") and no input monitoring, so I keep the levels about 70% and then just pump them in hotter back into the tape when I rebounce.

RB
 
I'm going to suggest this anyway. Why don't you get protools free and a soundblaster live. You'll get 8 tracks of audio. the soundblaster live value is about $50. If you need memory to run protools, it's dirt cheap as well. This would be a far better invesment then a minidisc recorder. Many people don't realise how cheap it can be to put together a simple daw.
 
Wesley,

Thanks, but I don't own a computer. I'm using one that belongs to someone else, and a computer won't fit in my budget at this point. Anyway, I'll keep it in mind for the future when I get a little more money.

thanks,
da muzicman
 
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