Newbie Help - Which Tascam Recorder for Acapella Recording

[728b]

I'm looking at buying either a Tascam DP-004, DP-008, and DP-03. I need to record a group of 7 singers. No instruments, just all voices. I've been using individual mics (SM57 and 58, Sennheiser wireless) routed through the church mixer directly to a CD recorder. This sometimes produces a good track, but it's hard to keep the balance right between the singers. The singers also have to be perfect for the entire song.

The 004 is the cheapest and the bouncing feature would allow me to get all 7 singers on the four tracks. There are no effects in the final mix until you transport it to a PC. I also wonder how good the SM57s and 58s will sound through the 1/4" mic inputs on it. I think it would work though.

The 008 has more tracks to work with. I can probably do it without any bouncing. It has XLR jacks, so I'm guessing the mics would sound better? It has reverb on each track and EQ mixing for each track in the final mix.

The DP-03 probably has more stuff that I'll ever use. I do like the CD burner though. I have no experience with music editing software. I've downloaded Audacity but I'll have to learn how to use it if I buy one of the other units. This one's way more expensive too.

Which one of these units might be best? The DP-008 is the direction I'm leaning, but any input is appreciated. What kind of effects are people using to enhance vocals? Anyone else recording acappella here?

 

[Massive Master]

I also wonder how good the SM57s and 58s will sound through the 1/4" mic inputs on it.

Those aren't mic inputs - Those are line-level inputs. You'd need mic preamps (one for each mic) or you'd have to use outputs from the console (*IF* each channel has a line out, there you go - otherwise, you can use aux sends as well, but only after the mic preamps on the console have done their job).

(Okay, reading stuff...)

The DP03 only has two mic inputs. The 004 none (only "crap mic" type line / instrument inputs - unbalanced, hi-z - You couldn't even input a balanced signal from a decent mic preamp with it), the 008 has two also.

I'd very highly recommend a USB interface or something... The US1800 into a PC or laptop or something.

 

[728b]

Gotcha MM, I understand they're not mic inputs. That's why I questioned whether an SM57 or 58 would sound good through one. I only called them mic inputs because if you use an external mic that's where you have to hook it up. Thanks for the input, no pun intended!

 

[A Reel Person]

DP03, 004, 008,... no.

I don't think you're on the right track with that assumption. Each of those units will only record 2-tracks simultaneously, max, and the rest of the tracks are for overdubs done seperately. To buy one of these units, you'd unfortunately be in the same boat as where you started, using either 2 mics to capture the entire group, or 2 lines off another mixer to capture a 7-mic stereo mix.

To record 7-individual tracks simultaneously, you'd need something along the lines of the Tascam DP-24, which records 8-tracks simultaneously.

Of course there are many other solutions.

PS: If I'm misreading your intentions and you are happy with overdubbing voice parts individually, the DP03 might be the way to go. It gives a few more features that you don't need now, but may grow into later. If you're more interested in battery operated field recording, the DP008 might be it, instead. I think that's the niche of the 008, which is more stripped down than the 03. If you're actually interested in 7-tracks simultaneously, I'd stick with my first recommendation. Overall the DP24 would give you more power for bigger productions.