Digital or Analog

[kuthu]

Hello all. I've been reading what I can and still need some advice on which route to take to record my singer-songwriter girlfriend and her acoustic guitar. I'll be playing banjo, Native American flute and drums. We can work it all with 4 inputs since she'll need only one for her voice and one for guitar, then I'll over-dub. That's what we're recording, I have a Dell XPS laptop coming for my grad research, which is powerful enough to do a bunch. The question is that I also already have:

-Fostex DE-1 Dual Channel Multi-Effects Processor
-Behringer GEQ3102 UltraGraph Pro Graphic EQ
-Shure SM57 Instrument/Vocal Mic
-Behringer MIC2200 Ultragain Pro
-Behringer MDX1400 Autocom Pro Compressor
-Nady SCM900 Diaphragm Condenser Mic
-Audiovox mic- can't remember the model off the top of my head.
-Fostex PS-3.1 Monitors (Yes, I know I can do better, thanks)

So, would it be wise to just get a mixer and a DAT or cassette and work with that? I don't mind about the "hassle" of rewinding tapes. It seems that getting a good PCMCIA or Firewire external soundcard like the Layla24 would be much more expensive. I'm worried about buying a Tascam because of current threads and past history with them. I'm also a bit reticent about USB, even with USB2.0 on the horizon. But if all I need is a mixer and a recorder, then it seems like I'd be fine for a lot less money.

I'd like suggestions for equipment to be on the cheaper side. Like is the Yamaha MG10/2 Stereo Mixer enough? What about a recorder? I've been hoping to spend $500 or less total to get set up. Is that possible?

Advice either way is welcome and apreciated. Thanks all.
-Jonathan

(BTW, most of this was bought about 3 years ago and never used, so please limit the behringer bashing. I'll be more careful at this point about new gear, but since I have it, I'll use it until I have to replace it. Thanks)

 

[tjohnston]

Its been about 12 years since I actually heard a cassette playing.

 

[distortedrumble]

behringer user here too...no bashing from me...i'm just surprised you havent used the stuff yet.....honestly....the digital or analog is a personal decision. i would go with digital....as for using the laptop....does your girlfriend have to record her vocals and guitar at the same time? if not then try http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-ECH-INDIGOIO.html

i think thats about as good as it gets if you dont want usb or firewire....

 

[kuthu]

Yeah, she really has to play and sing at the same time because sometimes her playing influences her singing and vice versa. I looked at two channel, but really need 4, especially because I'll be micing drums.

It seems like I can actually get rid of a lot of what I have if I get a Presonus Firestation and mix in the box. I'm still up in the air, but if I go digital, this seems like the best bet, especially since a decent recorders seems pretty expensive. Maybe I'll go over to the computer recording forum and talk about it. Thanks all.
-J

 

[distortedrumble]

well if you plan on selling the ultragraph and autocom...send me a message I'll probably take them off your hands

 

[TexRoadkill]

DAT is only going to give you two channels and cassette sounds like crap. With your budget getting a decent computer interface is the only real option.