Hi,
I am finding myself, yet again, searching for a piece of gear that will help me do some minimal recording (non live) and serve as a practicing platform for jamming against backing tracks. I've been down this road before and just haven't found the right thing so I could use some advice.
I've owned a Boss BR-8, Tascam Porta-01, Zoom PS-04. I have a PC set up with Cakewalk, ACID, Fruity Loops, Jammer and others. I also have some CD's of "jam tracks". The problem is none of this stuff really gets me what I need. Here is what I'm looking for:
I want to be able to quickly and easily record backing tracks (drum, bass, guitar) and then be able to jam over them BUT I want to be able to play over them with effects and in a way that is portable (I can sit on the deck or in my TV room etc) and let's me use headphones.
Some of the stuff I have works really well for parts of this puzzle but not others - for example. The PS-04 is super portable and has servicable effects to use when jamming over tunes BUT the recording process is a PITA especially when trying to quickly record some drums and bass (internally generated and arcane user interface). Jammer software is great for whacking out quick tracks (midi notwithstanding) - punch in a progression over some empty measures, select a style and compose but it results in a midi file that then needs to be played over while sitting in front of my PC or has to be recorded down to a device like the PS-04.
It's a dilemma.
I think the PS-04 or other portable tracker with onboard drums/bass and effects is the right idea but that device sort of sucks from a usability standpoint (it is pretty good at other things)
Right now I'm looking at looping stations and other portable recording units that have better PC integration than the PS-04 but that retain super portability and effects. The loopers I've seen don't have effects on board and might be hard to synch and line up from a timing standpoint.
Anyone solve this problem and have any suggestions for the right gear or even approach to getting this done. I have enough stuff to get it done but it's very non-integrated and I'm looking for that all in one solution with a high degree of user friendliness.
Thanks
I am finding myself, yet again, searching for a piece of gear that will help me do some minimal recording (non live) and serve as a practicing platform for jamming against backing tracks. I've been down this road before and just haven't found the right thing so I could use some advice.
I've owned a Boss BR-8, Tascam Porta-01, Zoom PS-04. I have a PC set up with Cakewalk, ACID, Fruity Loops, Jammer and others. I also have some CD's of "jam tracks". The problem is none of this stuff really gets me what I need. Here is what I'm looking for:
I want to be able to quickly and easily record backing tracks (drum, bass, guitar) and then be able to jam over them BUT I want to be able to play over them with effects and in a way that is portable (I can sit on the deck or in my TV room etc) and let's me use headphones.
Some of the stuff I have works really well for parts of this puzzle but not others - for example. The PS-04 is super portable and has servicable effects to use when jamming over tunes BUT the recording process is a PITA especially when trying to quickly record some drums and bass (internally generated and arcane user interface). Jammer software is great for whacking out quick tracks (midi notwithstanding) - punch in a progression over some empty measures, select a style and compose but it results in a midi file that then needs to be played over while sitting in front of my PC or has to be recorded down to a device like the PS-04.
It's a dilemma.
I think the PS-04 or other portable tracker with onboard drums/bass and effects is the right idea but that device sort of sucks from a usability standpoint (it is pretty good at other things)
Right now I'm looking at looping stations and other portable recording units that have better PC integration than the PS-04 but that retain super portability and effects. The loopers I've seen don't have effects on board and might be hard to synch and line up from a timing standpoint.
Anyone solve this problem and have any suggestions for the right gear or even approach to getting this done. I have enough stuff to get it done but it's very non-integrated and I'm looking for that all in one solution with a high degree of user friendliness.
Thanks