New to it all... looking for inexpensive options

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T-Bird

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I have never done any home recording. The closest I've come is when a friend of mine recorded the two of us working out some tunes through his Tascam 424 MKII. He seems to have had success with this unit, and has been able to connect the tascam to his Mac.

Here's my deal... I'm just looking to be able to get musical ideas down on tape. Not looking to record/mix masterpieces. Most likely, my first recordings would just be me playing rhythm guitar to I could have something to play leads over. Maybe record a few tunes as I come up with them, but just guitar tracks, seeing that I don't have/play a bass or anything else.

For a computer I have a Blues & White Mac G3 (with firewire and USB ports).

I don't plan on getting into heavy digital editing. Getting really "techie" when recording is not what I want to do.

I'm also looking to do it cheap, which is why I'm looking into the Tascam 414 MKII. This is starting to look like a possible Christmas gift, and I need to keep the price reasonable, and the 414 seems to be going for around $300 new.

Any help is appreciated!
Jim

(attached it one of the guitars I'm hoping to record with)
 

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not sure what you're asking. What do you want to know exactly? The Tascam Porta 02 will do the type of recording you're talking about and is half the price of the 414.
 
If you're planning on recording only guitars, you should look at some audio interface with just a stereo input and a stereo output. No need for more. Then you need some basic software.

And to get your guitars in, there's 2 options:
- get a mic and a mic pre and mic your amp
- get a POD or other ampsimulator and go direct

I think the ampsimulator would be the best for you...

(what mics/whatever or guitarrig do you have now? we can guide you from there...)
 
Well...

I guess I'd like the flexability of being able to eventually do more than just guitars. I'd be starting simple, as I've never done any recording on my own. But, eventually I'd like to be able to put together complete tunes (adding drums, bass, vocals etc.)

At this point I don't have ANYTHING as far as mics or any recording software. I was intending to get an inexpesive mic to place on my amp to record from.

Yes, something like a POD would be fun, but I tend to be pretty traditional in my sound, and most of the POD's options would go unused. I'd prefer to mic my amps.

I guess I'm wondering if the 414 has everything I'd need. I don't want to grow out of anything in a couple months. I think the porta 02 would be cool to play with, but eventually I'd feel the need to upgrade if I want to make a more "polished" recording.
 
my rig

My current rig is:
• a strat, a Kay hollowbody, and an acoustic
• a few footpedals (overdrives, wah, dan-echo)
• SF Pro Reverb or Ampeg Reverberocket

I also play a little blues harp, and I have a recent Shure green bullet mic.
 
As far as learning the basics of recording, you are starting in the right direction by preferring micing your guitar. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with plugging directly into a recorder, by using a mic you will be able to experiment with mic placement and eventually learn how to best capture your guitar sound.

I don't know about the bullet mic, but the Sure SM-57 is a good, basic mic to start out with. You will also need a mic preamp to bring the signal the mic is recording to line level. The ART Tube Studio is a pretty decent preamp for your purposes, and both the amp and the mic can be used as you upgrade to better equipment.

As for the actual recording media, I suggest using your computer and getting some recording freeware. This will get you up and running quickly, plus you can upgrade your system as you go along without the result of having a pile of outdated equipment collecting dust in your rack.

Cy
 
The mic instead of the pod. Good choice. For recording your acoustic it's the only decent option, really... But the mic requires more setup, placement etc. But if you want to go further with recording that is the way to go.

The 414 will get you there. For sure. But it's alot of money to start out with. Remember that you need a mic pre. (for phantom power if you get a condensor mic) The SM57 is one of the standards for recording amps, don't think it will work out good for your acoustic. Maybe one of the cheaper condensors to start out?

If you want to expand, you might wanna look into more expensive soundcards. Something than can record up to 8 inputs simultaniously maybe?

Never worked with the green bullet either. No idea on how it sounds.
 
Roel, re-thinking my options...

I've started to think that a POD into my Mac would be smarter. Not dealing with mic'ing amps (in my apartment where I can't turn things up).

I'm thinking for just getting ideas down, something like a POD into my blue & white G3 Mac would be best/easiest. I've downloaded Pro Tools Free. Looking into an iMic from Griffin Technology. Anyone know if I'd need any other hardware??
 
for vocals you'd need a mic preamp or mixer with mic preamps fitted.

If you get your Mac up and running as a multitrack recorder yu won't have to worry later about being able to do more "polished" recordings. The Mac will do it.

What were you planning to use for drums?
 
Just figure out what you want to do. If you want to record vocals and your acoustic, you'll need mics and pres anyhow. For electric guitars, the pod is really the quick 'n handy solution. Not as good as a properly setup mic with a good amp, but word is it's pretty good. (I never used it. Did use direct outs of other pre's etc, and heard alot about the pod. If you consider to get you one, go check it out first. See which ampsimulator suits you best, there are a few models.)
 
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