Going Digital - Help

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denby21

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Hi everyone. I am planning to make the move to digital and seek your knowledege and feedback.

I am a songwriter, plan to record in a small 10 x 12 room with a window. I play a Guild and write accoustic songs. Here are my questions. I welcome everyone's comments. My budget is to get everything I need for less than $2000.

Digital recorders.
I have been researching the Yamaha AW16CD, Zoom MRS1066Cd and the Korg 1200CD. For those of you who have one - what was the main reason you bought it and how has it worked out? Anyone done a comparison that I could review? Finally ahas anyone tried to record at 24 bit and then dither to 16 bit for CD burning. How do the Yamaha and Korg machines handle that. (I know the Zoom can't.)

Monitors.
I am looking for a recommendation.

Microphones.
I own a AKG1000CSwhihch I use with a ART tube-pre-map and i like the sound. I saw a Russian made microphone - Octavia. Any one had experience with that - or any other recommendations.
Plus with a tube microphone - can you -- or should you plug it into a pre-amp. And finally what is the difrference between a condenser mic and a dynamic mic and what are the right applicaiotns to use them for?

Other Stuff.
Has anyone used or had experience with the Beringer Ultradyne or Sonic Maximiser? Are these worthwhile boxes to get?

Thank you in advance. Best Wishes Stefan, Oceanside, CA.
P.S. if my previous email to the group was posted - I apologize, please review this one.







Microphones
 
denby, how many tracks are you planning to normally record?
You can get digital units for a lot less $$ that record on less tracks, than say 16. (especially for acoustic material)

On monitors, are you planning to buy passive or active ones?

Regarding the Oktava microphone, to spend the money to get a
reliable one at www.oktava.com or sorting one out of a pile at Guitar Center, you'd probably be better off getting one of the Studio Projects microphones shown at www.studioprojectsusa.com

Before buying effects boxes like the ones you mentioned,
what mic pre('s) and mixer(s) are you currrently using?

Chris
 
You will be better off going with a computer based setup.

You will need to tell exactly how many IN/OUTS you will need. ;)
 
Thanks for replying

Good evening Steve and Spinsterwun.

I plan to record upto 4 to 6 tracks - with two at the same time. I currently have a Fostex 4 track and a minidiskand so am used to either creating one or two tracks live - and then overdubbing a lead or another vocal part.

Concerning monitors Steve - you have to tell me what the difference is. Currently I use my headphones and am able to get a reasonable mix (at least to me.) I use ART gear and generally use their tabletop preamp, effects box and compressor/limiter into the Fostex for the guitar or when using my AKG with the preamp for my voice and vocals. I don't have a mixer presently but thought of buying a Beringer to go to the minidisk so that I could record two imputs.

I'll check your reocmmendations on the microphone - why do you like them?

Spinsterwun I have thought about a computer setup but find the computer rather nosiy - and thought a standalone recorder could do the trick.

Regarding eight track recorders - I know that Boss and Fostex have them. Any thoughts?

Thanks for responding.
 
denby, if you have a bit of room to put this stuff, here's one possible plan;
1) Fostex D90 (or something like it) 8 track hard disk recorder est. $450 or less
2) Soundcraft M8 mixer $600
3) HHB Burnit CD recorder (unless you prefer computer CD recorder) $500

If you don't mind taking a bit more of a chance on an "orphaned" product,
the Vestax HDR8 can be had for around $260 on e-bay, the HDR-V8 for a
bit more. They are both 8 track hard disk units-with a built in digital mixer BTW.
All the above suggested multitracks have "direct outs" so they could be taken
to a professional studio after initial tracking for mixing and mastering, if you
wish. The value of the above plan is that the learning curve is very gentle,
and working the equipment is intuitive. The Fostex is designed to work like a
tape recorder. The Fostex and Vestax units are "sleepers" IMHO.
(I have a Vestax HDR6 bought on e-bay for $125!)

The KRK V-4 active monitors are very nice for around $500-600.
A good pair of monitors will make your mixing MUCH easier and more accurate.

The Studio Projects recommendation is based upon my usage of their C1,
and having listened to others they manufacture.

Chris
 
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