Help with mic and four track purchase

[deSilhouette]

First off, hello everyone, I'm new here and would like some basic help with getting higher quality recordings.
I've recorded songs through my computer for about 3 years now with an extremely basic selection of mics (some dynamic sennheisers and a very cheap condenser.) But only ever one mic at a time.

I now have some funds available that I can put into purchasing a few new mics. I want to get away from computer recording for a while so I'm considering purchasing a hardware recorder of some sort.

From this point I really don't know enough to make an informed decision.
I want to be able to record stereo tracks (say acoustic guitar, for example) and then mix them down into Cubase. In this respect I need something which is very quiet, easy to use, doesn't take up too much space and is fairly easy to come by on ebay. Also, the only preamp I have is made by maudio and is of questionable quality so that's something I'd need.
Since I plan to mixdown the tracks to a pc anyway I don't need to have a huge number of tracks.

As for mics I plan to record a fairly large variety of stuff. Acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, vocals, banjo, possibly some basic drums.
I'm guessing that people would suggest an SM57 or something first off? Anything else? Keep in mind that the cost is important. I'd prefer to spend no more than $350 altogether on mics (assuming that's a reasonable amount to spend to get a fairly okay setup.) I'd probably want to keep my four track purchase to around that price too (possibly second-hand, but I'm open to any suggestions really) Essentially I just want to get nice clean recordings without too much hassle (if that's too much to ask!)

Many thanks in advance!

 

[deSilhouette]

Actualy, just to clarify a few things: as far as the recorder goes I'm happy enough to go for digital or tape. Whichever will give me the most for my money.

Since I plan on splitting tracks into Cubase one at a time and syncing them up I don't really require the ability to bounce tracks, perform eq tweaks or add effects.
The ability to mix levels would be nice though.

 

[Nicole_Rose]

First off, hello everyone, I'm new here and would like some basic help with getting higher quality recordings.
I've recorded songs through my computer for about 3 years now with an extremely basic selection of mics (some dynamic sennheisers and a very cheap condenser.) But only ever one mic at a time.

I now have some funds available that I can put into purchasing a few new mics. I want to get away from computer recording for a while so I'm considering purchasing a hardware recorder of some sort.

From this point I really don't know enough to make an informed decision.
I want to be able to record stereo tracks (say acoustic guitar, for example) and then mix them down into Cubase. In this respect I need something which is very quiet, easy to use, doesn't take up too much space and is fairly easy to come by on ebay. Also, the only preamp I have is made by maudio and is of questionable quality so that's something I'd need.
Since I plan to mixdown the tracks to a pc anyway I don't need to have a huge number of tracks.

As for mics I plan to record a fairly large variety of stuff. Acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, vocals, banjo, possibly some basic drums.
I'm guessing that people would suggest an SM57 or something first off? Anything else? Keep in mind that the cost is important. I'd prefer to spend no more than $350 altogether on mics (assuming that's a reasonable amount to spend to get a fairly okay setup.) I'd probably want to keep my four track purchase to around that price too (possibly second-hand, but I'm open to any suggestions really) Essentially I just want to get nice clean recordings without too much hassle (if that's too much to ask!)

Many thanks in advance!

i had many of the same needs. i bought a tascam dp01 fx. it's a little 8 track portastudio. it has a usb outlet to plug into your pc to transfer files back and forth. it's easy to use, the manual is well written and it works really well for the price. a friend got one new for 600 Canadian, and i got mine on ebay for 300 US. second hand like new.

 

[deSilhouette]

i had many of the same needs. i bought a tascam dp01 fx. it's a little 8 track portastudio. it has a usb outlet to plug into your pc to transfer files back and forth. it's easy to use, the manual is well written and it works really well for the price. a friend got one new for 600 Canadian, and i got mine on ebay for 300 US. second hand like new.

Thanks for the tip. I see one on ebay now for $330 buy it now so I'll definitely consider it.

I've had a look at a few reviews and people say that the lack of proper meters is annoying. The lack of compressors I'm sure doesn't help either (especially with phantom power for condensers.)
If anyone has any other suggestions (for mics too) I'd love to hear.

So yeah, again, here are my basic needs:
- At least two track stereo recording (but a four track with simultaneous recording on all four tracks would be great.)
- USB or Firewire
- Good preamps (possibly a nice built-in compressor)

(I'm not at all bothered by the quality of the eq, effects, ease of editing, etc. etc.)

 

[deSilhouette]

I'm now on the look out for a Fostex MR-8 MKII or the MR-8 HD.

Can anyone recommend a decent set of mics that would give me the most versatility?

 

[tubesrawsom]

57,58, akg c2000, oktava mk012 royer r121...ahem I mean crown pzm any good model.
There are tons more just look em up

 

[MessianicDreams]

why do you want a stand-alone recorder if you're going to mix on your PC? it may make more sense to just buy an interface, and you can find quite a number with 4 inputs bundled with a software (such as cubase) for the amount you're looking to spend on the recorder.

which preamp do you have? how many channels? one thing to look out for on the interfaces is how many preamps it has. some of them will advertise 4 inputs, but only 2 will have preamps, and so a preamp is needed for the other 2 inputs.

 

[deSilhouette]

57,58, akg c2000, oktava mk012 royer r121...ahem I mean crown pzm any good model.

Thanks. I've just picked up an sm57 and I'm looking at getting a Studio Projects B1. After that I think I'll just want a pair of small condensers. I'm not too sure what to go for though on a budget. Maybe mk012's? They seem sort of hard to come by (especially on ebay over here.)

why do you want a stand-alone recorder if you're going to mix on your PC? it may make more sense to just buy an interface, and you can find quite a number with 4 inputs bundled with a software (such as cubase) for the amount you're looking to spend on the recorder.

Good point. I've had a think about it and I think that having the freedom to be able to record away from the computer is worth 300euro. That way I can use it as a sketch pad as well as to lay down tracks.
I'm just hoping that an 8-track will be easy to deal with (as far as getting the right levels, getting a good sound, etc.)

which preamp do you have? how many channels? one thing to look out for on the interfaces is how many preamps it has. some of them will advertise 4 inputs, but only 2 will have preamps, and so a preamp is needed for the other 2 inputs.

I have an m-audio audio buddy. I'm not too sure on how it is for quietness but I think it's actually not too bad. It has two channels and phantom power so I should be okay with that for powering two additional channels.

I really should look into how many preamps the MR-8HD has though...