Help!!!! (beginner)

[Zagnutlive]

First off, thanks everybody for answering posts, It helps a lot of people, not just the one person who posted it. K here's the deal:

I'm new. Got a band, all first band: 2 guitars (+2 combos), 2 mics (+keyboard amp (works)),bass (+combo), and drums (nice). We really need a decent demo/way to get our music out sounding halfway decent. With this in mind...

What's a "track"? Kinda get the idea but not sure

Analog or digital? Computer's pretty good (plenty of requirements, windows 95, NO cd burner, HAVE software to change mp3 to wav (if it matters), NO zip or jaz drives)

4 track or 8 track? Please help me on this one

Thanks for any feedback. Peace.

 

[HogansHiro]

Whoa, thats a lot a stuff. To start with a track is simply a one time recording of either a single instrument or multipe instruments.(for starters we'll say its this, forget editing for now). It means on a four track recorder you can actually record four seperate times during the same time frame. For example you can record guitar on track one. Play that back and as you listen to it record your voice on track two. They can now both be played back at the same. You now have control over the volume of each track and are able to mix each sound to blend together. The more tracks you have the more control you have over controlling each instrument. It's like mixing a band that's stuck in your box.

For a demo. I'd probbaly have to say either find someone who knows a little more about recording and solicit their help or try to go for a broadcast mix. This is simply a two track recording (tape,CD) of your group playing in real time. You can either use the tape out on your mixing board ,if you have one, and mix specifically for the recording (forget how it sounds outside). If you aren't running a lot of things into your board or don't have one then the ol' two mics placed well somewhere in the room can do wonders. Have your friends come over and clap and scream. You can pass it off as a live recording from a gig(shows you've been working). I'm sure others have their two cents worth. I tried to explain it as easily as I could but I'm sure I'll take a beating for my explanation.
Good Luck.

[This message has been edited by HogansHiro (edited 01-15-2000).]

 

[dobro]

Aside from the explanation, I liked the clapping, screaming friends idea. But it's gonna have to be a party - beer helps. Chips and dip might go down well, too.

 

[Dragon]

Hogans has it good but you can also record all 4 tracks at once, then change one of them later if you didn't like it...this works only if you keep the instruments completely isolated.

Really you should read the FAQs...see all the links on the right side of http://homrecording.com/newbies.html

 

[The Green Hornet]

Hey Zagnut Man:

Get at least an 8 track. Mackie has a new 24 track monster coming out but I've heard no reports on the box yet.

With 8 tracks you can limit your bouncing/combining tracks recorded. Thus, you can maintain control over each single track when mixing.

Have fun,
Green Hornet

[This message has been edited by The Green Hornet (edited 01-17-2000).]

 

[Zagnutlive]

hey thanks guys for the info. I really liked the friends over part, plus the party part. But, truth is, I'm really short on cash, and im not really sure if a digital recorder always means computer? thanks