help on mixing down

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westermane

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Hi,

I have a Tascam - Porta O2 MK II (not the best, I know) and I need some advice on the best way to mix down. Is it best to use the line out jack or the headphone jack to mix down? I've mixed down using the line out and it comes out too soft. Is the only way to fix this to record the tracks louder initially?

I am also debating what to mix down to. I own a minidisc recordable walkman, but I could probably also get access to a CD-R. I know I would be going analogue to digital, but I'd like to have the music on some better media than a cassette. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help!
 
what i like to do is mix down to a hi-fi vcr. It sounds like a way to do something if you are poor, but it works good and can even improve the original sound quality. And it would be alot cheaper than buying a cd-r and it is almost the same exact quality. almost. And plus, you can always use a friend's cd burner afterwards. And it is also almost as good as DAT's. And you should use the line out jack too. And one more thing (it has nothing to do with this) if you dont already have one, buy a mixer for your porta 02. you WILL thank me later. Bye bye.
 
...it works good and can even improve the original sound quality.
Click to expand...
Sorry, no... recorded sound doesn't work that way - the sound will never be *better* than the original source...


...And it would be alot cheaper than buying a cd-r and it is almost the same exact quality. almost...
...And it is also almost as good as DAT's.
Click to expand...
No... not even close... but it is far better than mixing down to say, cassette tape...

There are 2 big problem with recording to Hi-Fi VHS - 1) intermodulation noise inherent in the FM coding of the signal (the recording process that HiFi VHS uses) - this will be audible on quiet passages as a slight warbling wash type of noise... and 2) it is very difficult to insert spacing between songs - you essentially need to leave 1-2 minute gaps between cuts. Since the tape can't be edited, to make a master tape you need to record to another device, losing a generation...

BUT....... it still sounds WAY better than mixing to cassette ever will!

Bruce
 
but...

I don't think I would consider using a VCR since I already have a MD recorder. But the question is - would a CDR get higher quality version than my MD recordable walkman in the mix down. Or is there a difference??

Also, could you address my problem about volume level? Is the only way to get a louder recording to record it louder initially? And someone suggested I get a mixer. How will that help me when I'm recording one instument at a time (not a full band)?

Thanks again for your help!
 
Although MD is better than hi-fi VHS, and *scads* better than cassette, it is not CD-quality. It records using a lossy (data) compression scheme that literally throws away a portion of signal deemed unnecessary by the ATRAC algorithms. That's not to say it sounds bad - it is actually quite good and you will get some nice results -- but it IS NOT CD quality.

As far as levels, you should be using the line out on your multi-track to run into the line-in on your MD. Then you need to set the input levels properly on the MD recorder.

In addition, when tracking on the Tascam, you should be getting your signal levels as hot as possible onto to tape.
An additional mixer will help you only in that the mixing capabilities of the Porta 2 are fairly limited and you'd have a greater ability to shape your tracks more during mixdown (not to mention more flexible EQ and effect routing.)

Hope this helps...
Bruce
 
Just to add to what Bruce already said, a little compression on the two track mix can also help your mixes to sound "louder".
 
4-track to CD

So if MD is not as good as CD, could you tell me how to mix down from my Porta 02 onto CD? I was talking to a sales rep. in a computer store and he said I would need to make a .wav file of the song, and then burn the .wav file onto CD. To me, this seems like it would take away from the quality of the song. Is there another way to do this?

I want to invest in a CD-R in general, but I want to get one that will also do a good job for mixdowns from my 4-track. Any suggestions on a reasonably priced solution?

I was looking at maybe getting the Phillips shelf system with the CD-R built in. It says it records from any audio source. But do you think it has crappy converter like the MD player?

Thanks for your help!
 
Alesis Masterlink - - but it's pricy... (worth the money though!)

Bruce
 
uhhh....

how about a more (much, much more) reasonable suggestion in terms of price :)
 
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