I have no clue where to start !!!

[cubanice27]

Hey everyone....Im soooo new to recording that I know nothing (and I honestly mean NOTHING) about recording, how to start, what to do, etc. I just got an old school tascam 246 portastudio cassette recorder. I'm a bass player and just want to record some basic bass lines I've written. I dont know where to start !!! What should I do? How do I mix things, etc.? Im sooo lost and just looking for someone to spend a bit of time trying to help me get started. Thanks for your time !!!

 

[Kingofpain678]

Hey everyone....Im soooo new to recording that I know nothing (and I honestly mean NOTHING) about recording, how to start, what to do, etc. I just got an old school tascam 246 portastudio cassette recorder. I'm a bass player and just want to record some basic bass lines I've written. I dont know where to start !!! What should I do? How do I mix things, etc.? Im sooo lost and just looking for someone to spend a bit of time trying to help me get started. Thanks for your time !!!

well if your wanting to learn, this is definitely the right place.



but read this first (http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm). read all of it. i know it's alot but the knowledge you will gain is well worth the read. once you've read that (and re-read it to make sure you understand it) come back here before you buy more gear to ask any questions or for advice.

and don't go off buying stuff unless your 100% sure you need it.

 

[DuddyGuy]

the 246 is a cool machine, Beck gives a good basic overview of it's functions in this thread (note this is assuming you are using a mic to record your bass played through an amp)

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=204318

I used one for a while when I was much younger and just getting started in home recording, If you want to record your bass directly into it you will need to get a direct box.... hope this was some help

 

[Kingofpain678]

the 246 is a cool machine, Beck gives a good basic overview of it's functions in this thread (note this is assuming you are using a mic to record your bass played through an amp)

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=204318

I used one for a while when I was much younger and just getting started in home recording, If you want to record your bass directly into it you will need to get a direct box.... hope this was some help

+1 on the direct box.
thats basically the simple version of how to record bass.
bass -> D.I. box -> recording device.

 

[cubanice27]

what does a direct box do?

Hey guys thanks for your help. So now I have a little better idea of whats going on.....but some of you suggested to get a direct box to record my bass.....what will this direct box do? Also, two more questions.... 1.with the tascam 246...when Im done recording...can I use the tascam to mix down everything or will I have to go buy something else to mix everything so I can play it threw a normal tape deck. 2. The tascam doesnt have any mic inputs...do I need to get an adapter....male on one side and mic input/connctor thinggy on the other side? Thanks for your patience and kindness !!!

 

[buryher17]

Best advice anyone can ever give you. Read around on this site. You'd be surprised of how much good knowledge is on here.

 

[DuddyGuy]

Hey guys thanks for your help. So now I have a little better idea of whats going on.....but some of you suggested to get a direct box to record my bass.....what will this direct box do? Also, two more questions.... 1.with the tascam 246...when Im done recording...can I use the tascam to mix down everything or will I have to go buy something else to mix everything so I can play it threw a normal tape deck. 2. The tascam doesnt have any mic inputs...do I need to get an adapter....male on one side and mic input/connctor thinggy on the other side? Thanks for your patience and kindness !!!

Well why you need a direct box is a little technical... basically the 246 is expecting a line or mic level signal to come into it's inputs, but when you plug a guitar or a bass directly into it the signal coming from the instrument is a different electrical impedance so you will end up with a weak/noisy sound, by all means you can record without a direct box, but it will just be much less than optimal.

As far as mixing... to play on a normal tape deck you will need another deck, but it doesn't have to be super fancy any decent home stereo type deck with rca inputs for recording will do, or you can even mix down to your computer with an adapter from the master outs of the 246 straight to your sound card, and burn cd's if you prefer.

An adapter for a mic will work the pre-amps in the 246 should have enough power to drive a mic, the only issue would be if you are using a condenser and need phantom power. If your mic is dynamic your good to go, but if it's a condenser you'll either need some sort of box to supply the phantom power or a small mixer with phantom power.

Hope that clears some things up