new setup recommendations?

[cafenoir]

Hi there,
I'm new to this board, relatively new to recording. I started out on a Tascam 424, but I'm wanting to learn more. I'm not against going with a computer-based system, but it would require extensive upgrades to my current computer system. I love analog, but I'm not sure what to get. For my own personal recording, I play the following equipment periodically:

Washburn N2 through a Fender Super 112
Alvarez acoustic (some pickup in it, but i have no idea what)
ESP bass
Peavey Probass 1000 bass preamp
djembe
any drumset I can borrow

Ultimately, I'd like to set up a "real" studio in my basement--as soon as I actually own a basement. I'd like to be able to record other bands, too, and I'm interested in being flexible enough to accomodate up to a medium size jazz combo. I'm basically starting from scratch, and I have no real idea what to get. I've read up on some products (Mackie, Behringer, etc) but I have no idea what to really look for. Any recommendations? Thanks very much.

 

[Phyl]

Like you, I had aspirations of recording bands when I bought my gear so I got an audio interface with more than 2 or 4 pre-amps. Also, since I didn't plan on taking the recording equipment to other locations, I went the PC route instead of a stand alone recorder because I felt it offered me more flexibility.

I ended up with an Aardvark Q10 and Pentiun IIII computer. The Aardvark gives me 8 microphone pre-amps for the times I want to record several inputs at once, the Pentium computer gives me the speed and hard disk space I need to make tracking and editing relatively painless. It's not a professional system but it will be years before I outgrow it.

If you browse the site for awhile, you'll see plenty of recommendations for various sound cards and computer systems. If you're like me your budget will play the biggest factor in deciding what sort of price/performance tradeoffs you are willing to make.

A lot of people here suggest buying your equipment in stages so that you don't compromise on quality by trying to have everything all at once. If you've already got a computer, you could start by getting an inexpensive software application like N-track, then get a few good microphones and pre-amps. Upgrading the computer, adding additional channels, or purchasing a better analog recorder can come later.

 

[Sennheiser]

If you are seriously considering staying in analog, the TASCAM 38-8, TSR-8, MSR-16, ATR16, can be had cheaply now that most are abandoning analog for digital recording.

The same with consoles. Equipment that cost literally thousands when new can be bought for pennies on the dollar. The majority of this equipment has been well maintained and can still be serviced.

I find that analog, while not as easily editable is much more user friendly and as I said before cheap. Media costs are higher. That is a trade-off you will have to consider for yourself.

You could set up an eight or sixteen track analog studio for as little as $1000-1800 minus outboards in some cases depending upon what is available and what you want/need. The lower quoted figure is about a third the cost of a TASCAM 38-8 new in '85. Now you can get them for anywhere from $400-$600 with lots of head life and sometimes a remote in the deal too. Add a 16 channel eight buss console and your in business.

The digital/analog debate will go on forever so I won't get into that. There are advantages and disadvantages to each format.