Br-8

  • Thread starter Thread starter tbrosnan
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tbrosnan

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Hi All -
Fairly new BR-8 user here. Been playing guitar a long time but haven't recorded much to date.
I've been looking to buy a low cost monitor for my BR-8 instead of using my guitar amp. Problem is I can't find any info on what kind of monitor is suitable. Here are some questions:
1) Do I need an amplified monitor?
2) Is either digital or analog okay?
3) What does "nearfield" mean?
4) What's a good monitor for the BR8 under $200?
5) Is there any chance I can tour with Steely Dan?

On a separate note, can I record the "rhythm guide" beats onto a track so they can be part of the mixdown? If not, any recommendations for cheapo drum machines that can be recorded through the BR-8?

Tim
 
I'm not sure what good it will do you to record the built in rythmn drums on the BR...but, try arming a track and then hit record...as long as the rythmn machine is turned on, it should work....

I've never recorded the built in rythmn machine.

I use a drum Machine, hooked up via MIDI and right/left rca in's on the back of the BR-8. I record all my drums into the BR-8, usually onto tracks 7&8 and then I EQ the drum mix for a better mix....does that make sense ? anyway, the drums sound so good after a little EQ'ing......

I use an Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine. Great machine but there are a lotof drum machines out there so you really just need to go and check'em out and find one that does what you need it to.

SR-16 runs around $199.00...I think.

Good Luck.

:)

Telegib.
 
You can't record the onboard rhythym guide of the BR-8 to any of the tracks. But if you go out to a CD burner, like I do, you can record the rhythym guide that way.
I'm sure a good drum machine is better. I just don't know anything about writing drum parts.

cj
 
OK...CJ answered the question....

Before I bought my drum machine, I did record the built in rythmn machine directly to a Cassette or CD Via MIDI...

IOW...when you record to an outside source like a cassette or CD, the rythmn machine will record, but it does not record onto a BR-8 Track.

The interestingthing with this is, the built in rythmn machine is like having a 9th track...because it doen't use track space, it's just there...

Anyway, just my thoughts.

I use an Alesis SR-16 Drum machine now...$199.00 american. I love mine but there are a lot of other choices out there...you should really just get out there and play around with some and read up on them and decide what is best suited for your needs.

Good Luck.
 
To record BR-8's onboard rhythm guide to a track

Yes, you CAN record BR-8's onboard rhythm guide to a track. You see the L - LINE OUT - R label? You see the L - LINE - R label? Use an RCA wire to connect them and you can now record the rhythm guide to a track.
 
Hey Tim

You don't have to record the rhytm guide onto a track unless you just want to for some reason. It will be in the mixdown anyway if the volume knob is turned up.

Larry
 
By the way. Tim

If you have a decent stereo system w/amplifier and rca ins and outs you can do a pretty fair job mixing down with that until you can buy something better. After all, you know what good music should sound like coming out of those particular speakers and thats a plus when monitoring. Just set the response as flat as possible and experiment.
Thats the way I'm doin it for now. Just a suggestion.

Have fun

Larry
 
Monitors

I have had great luck monitoring with a great set of headphones (also great for late-night mixdowns). I use the Sony VCD 600. they sell for about $80-$100.

Near field means 'close to you'.

I also recommend a good quality set of computer monitors. As a backup I use Altec Lansing with a bass cube. They cost me about $90 and sound pretty good for the purpose. Obviously they aren't real studio monitors, but if you get used to the sound of them as they play CD.s of your favorite bands (they use 1/8" stereo jacks--it'll plug into any portable CD player) you can familiarize yourself with the tonal qualities and make your mixes sound like theirs.

Both options work well because they can be plugged directly into the headphone input on the back of the BR-8 unit.

Play with it a little, and see what you get.

good luck.
 
I just did the BR-8 upgrade that removes the 100MB ZIP and replaces it with a 250MB ZIP! I now have about 15mins of recording time (if using all 8 tracks) compared to 5 mins (still using all 8 tracks). I got the bare IDE 250MB ZIP at www.gogocity.com for $65 ($74 with shipping), they also have 250MB ZIP disks 10pk/$99 + shipping.

The BR-8 conversion plans can be seen at http://www.olywa.net/blame/mwn/br8-250.htm .
 
I found an awsome drum machine at a pawn shop made by roland/boss. Paid $65. That is what I suggest. Great advice on the up grade
 
BR-8 upgrade

Fender72... I'm glad to hear it works! I'm gonna do the same thing!
 
Telegib said:
...I use a drum Machine, hooked up via MIDI and right/left rca in's on the back of the BR-8. I record all my drums into the BR-8, usually onto tracks 7&8 and then I EQ the drum mix for a better mix....does that make sense ? anyway, the drums sound so good after a little EQ'ing......

I use an Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine. Great machine but there are a lotof drum machines out there so you really just need to go and check'em out and find one that does what you need it to.
[...]
Click to expand...

Hi -- I'm about to get a BR-8 I think. I have a recently bought used SR-16 that I'm not real familiar with... plan to use it into the BR-8 when I record.

Can you tell me how you sync up the SR-16 with the BR-8 if (a) you don't have a MIDI setup, and (b) you record the drum tracks last, as one source has suggested?... or should you not do the drum track last (the reason it was suggested was that you could record to the guide internal track and then put the drum track down and embellish it with fills &c. with the BR-8 if you do the drums *after* you lay down the other tracks).

Thanks...I'm a relative 4/8 track neophyte and am just going digital...

Jon
 
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