Info on Original 424

[Fuzion]

Hello,
I just bought an original Tascam 424 off of Ebay and I would like some information on it. Ok, since it doesn't have xlr inputs how much difference is that gonna have in the quality of the sound. Would it be worth it to buy a cheap mixer like the behringer mx602 or are the Preamps in the 424 good enough. As far as mic's I have an SM-57, is that going to be succifient for vocals as well or should I fork out for an SM-58 to record vocals. Sorry for all these questions but obviously I am just a lowly guitarist and am not too informed on recording. It's almost taboo to us but we need something on tape. ok, moving on, what the deal with mixing down, can I mix down to any source with RCA ins. I heard someone mention vhs and I am curious how would you listen to it. As far as effects everyone says it is better to record dry and then add effects through the loop of the recorder but I need some basic info on exactly how that works and I am curious if it is going to beef up my sound like the effects do when run straight through my amp becuase the compression I apply makes my amp sound so much more agressive. When everyone says that you add eq at mixdown what does that mean, can you eq individual tracks after they are recorded? Ok, I am sorry for all these stupid questions but I am really curious about it all so I would really really apreciate if someone would address any amount of them they see fit. THANK YOU!
Andy

 

[Vurt]

For the time being don't worry about a mixer, and use the 57 you already have, which will do better than the 58 would anyway. Get used to mixing down to a regular tape deck, and if you're happy with the effects you can get out of your amp, record it that way.

Do you have an effects box? If not, don't worry about it, but if you do, try recording "dry" and later feeding in effects. Compare the two and see which sounds better to you.

 

[Questfan]

I don't know if this is any help for you, but maybe for someone else reading this:

"can I mix down to any source with RCA ins?"
Just a tip. I prefer to mix down to my minidisc-player. I've got a big stationary, and that way I can mix down from four to two tracks (minidisc: left and right) and back on two tracs on the tascam. Since the minidisc is digital it does not make any hiss.

Also: (if you are so lucky that you've got a minidisc-player) you can use the minidisc as a sampler! It is actually very cool: Record a guitar riff, divide the song so that it begins with the very first guitar-tone, and then divide the song again where the riff is just about to start again. Then you just play the "song" on repeat, or you can programme up to 25 such samples (songs) to play perfectly in time. On one minidisc you can have 100 samples!

"can you eq individual tracks after they are recorded"
Yes, each track has an eq. But, I also went to a shop selling used stereoes and parts for them. There I found a good eq wich I did not pay more than 20$ for. It is made for stereoes, but works very good for my home-recordings. This has given me a much better sound.

Good luck with your recordings! (And send demoes to
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/beverlybrothers