Getting Started for $300 or less...

[JAramini]

I was asking the folks at Activebass.com some recording questions and they sent me here so I hope you can help me. I've decided that I'd like to get started with doing some recording and I've got about $300 to spend. I'd just be recording some stuff by myself and with a couple friends probably. I'm not looking to make a demo for a band or anything, just recordings for my friends and family to listen to. There will be guitar, bass, and drums (and possibly some keyboard if we're feeling adventurous). A lot of people were recommending that I get a good soundcard, some software, and an interface. I have an immobile desktop however and would rather not have to move it to my garage or move my equipment inside. So, I was looking into getting a Zoom MRS-4, it's in my price range and appears do be capable of doing what I want to do. First off, does this seem like a good idea to you guys? Is this a decent unit? Also, can I take the music from the smartmedia cards, put it on my comp and turn it into mp3s? Because that's what I'd like to do. I'm not sure if there are other questions I should be asking here, but any help would be appreciated.

 

[scottboyher]

You can download the trial version of Cool Edit. If you already own a computer you are most of the way there. You can record on just about any soundcard that has a stereo in and a stereo out. Cool Edit is under $300 and kicks some serious butt.

 

[MISTERQCUE]

You'll also need some mics to record the drum kit.
The MRS44 is a decent unit for you to use, but also take in consideration that you'll need cables, a decent pair of monitors (Tannoy Proto J's can be had for $149), and 2-3 SM cards (depending on the size of the card;32mb go for $60), you just might have to exceed your current budget.
Have you considered purchasing a Tascam MK414 cassette-based multi-recorder? 'Bout $99, with 2-3 mics and a pair of passive monitors(assuming you have an amp) and you just might make that $300 budget you have set for yourself1

 

[JAramini]

With the cassette-based recorders though, does it become more difficult to transfer music to a digital medium? Because like I said, ultimately I'd like to turn stuff into mp3s and burn CDs and so forth with my comp. I have a few mics, not "drum mics" but I was hoping to make due, and if they don't work out, I have a keyboard with rhythm tracks and a percussion option that my drummer friend is pretty good at fooling with. What kind of cables do you mean? I have plenty of instrument cables, a few speaker cables, and a couple adapters, and what is the purpose of the monitors? It has a headphone out, I thought that was what you primarly used it for, also thought I could possibly run the headphone out to another amp for monitoring purposes or doesn't that all add up? Thanks a lot.

 

[chessparov]

J, as long as your computer has analog in's/out's you should be fine
with any recording platform that has the same, including cassette.

In my personal "inventory", I have a cosmetically very nice Tascam 244 that's
in exceptional mechanical condition. It was one of the three best Porta's
that Tascam ever made, along with the 144 and 246.
(it was an improved 144 with dbx instead of Dolby B)
It's sonically superior to both the 414 and 424 model lines,
and built MUCH better. It had a list price of over $1000 (in 1980 dollars!),
so it wasn't built to the lower price of today's four track cassette models.

This one (and the 246) has fooled professional engineers who thought
the recordings were done on a semi-pro reel to reel.
Bruce Springsteen used a 144 to record the album "Nebraska".
It will probably be still working when today's DAW's are dust,
and has very cool VU meters!
(maintenance is easy)

Let me know via "PM" (private message) at this BBS if interested in finding
out more about it. Also have a very good recording book I'd throw into
"the deal" BTW, along with its owner's manual, called "Using Your Portable
Studio", by Peter McIan. This is a collectible unit among "Porta" heads...
(if "A Reel Person" finds out I sold it he'll be very surpised!)

Chris