Confused Newbie - Recording to a DAW or on a portastudio?

[heartbeatsuk]

Hey

I recently posted about a good usb interface, and I saw a couple of other posts about free standing portastudios (eg tascam do several varieties). Obviously I am on a limited budget so would it be cheaper to

A) Buy a decent usb audio interface

or

B) Buy a free standing portastudio ( could anyone give any cheap examples).

I have a couple of questions about B, do they normally have built in mic preamps or would I have to buy one. Which is going to give me the best sound quality A or B?

I currently am running through a small Tascam 4 track into Reaper on my pc

Sorry for the confused post, and thanks to anyone who helps out

 

[saads]

That depends on what your budget is and what exactly you plan on recording. Could you be a little more specific ?

 

[heartbeatsuk]

b

Yeah sorry I should have been more specific. I am looking to record acoustic tracks, just guitar and vocals. Any keyboard or drums I construct in Reason on my pc. My budget is only like £100-130 at the moment but hopefully that might increase. I doubt it though so I'm looking for the cheapest option

 

[saads]

For just vocals and guitars the Presonus Firebox would be fine.It's a firewire interface. Do you have to get usb or is firewire an option too? Of course, you'll need mics too.

 

[heartbeatsuk]

a

Firewire is not an option as I only have USB. I have a mic (Shure sm57). I will research some good usb interfaces as this is obviously the route to go down

thanks

 

[saads]

I don't know if it's the obvious route but i would get an interface if i were you. Have you tried using both? If you want a decent usb interface you might like the m audio fast track pro. It's not super but it's decent.

 

[nate_dennis]

yeah, if you're doing most of your keys and such in the box I'd get an interface. For acoustic though, you're going to want a decent condensor mic. If you're Tascam into reaper is working, then why not put your current budget to getting a decent mic? You'll probably want a condensor for you vocals as well as the guitar. Just my $.02

 

[Jim Lad]

Just based entirely on your budget, I'd have to say "Audio Interface".