Newbie probably going into a tascam needs advice

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juanl

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Hi, i posted this on the tascam forum, but a lot of views and no replys makes me think my questions are kind of dumb. Searched for the answers in another posts and find them a little bit to tricky for my english understanding or not precisely answered. Here i go:

Hi, i'm a complete newbie on this world.

I've always wanted to record low fi stuff (say, john frusciante's first solo album) and the cassete analog thing seduces me way too much but at the same time makes me inscure (because of buying cassetes no more in use here, fixing possible reel breaks, etc) and all that thing conecting to another deck for mastering makes my "portable" ideal go down.
Computer stuff makes me sick. I work all day on a computer so my idea is to record without any software, just using it to save the final .wavs.

So i decided to go into something portable and easy to use that has some nice knobs and stuff yet having all in one for the mastering, etc. Zoom or Boss stuff seems pretty good with the drum machines and effects, but i'm new here and i don't want to have headaches, so i bet for buying a vintage drum machine or something in the future and achiveing effects with my pedals and amp.

Tascam dp 008 for its price seems o be the right option, giving me stuff that i would use when i get more into it without being limitated if i go for a dp 06 for example (im talking about the reverb, compressor features). FIRST QUESTION: Am i going at the right place? I hear your opinions, you can suggest other brands also.

Second question: my plan is to use the tascam with a power supply, getting a power supply that is not tascam's PS-P520 can work or it can damage my equipment or interfiere in the right functioning of it? If there's no problem on using one that is not tascam's, what is the volt power? 5 v?

Third and final question: to get my sound my idea was to connect my amplifier from the line out of it into the line in of the dp 008, can i do this? should i select the guitar or line option?

Sorry for the writing and hope you can help me, thank you!
 
I don't like standalone units at all. Hate them. I tried 2 different models when I first started recording and could never get my head wrapped around the operation of them. Once I switched over to computer-based recording, it opened up a whole lot of possibilities. Everything is so much easier. Once you get it set up, you don't have to think about the technical aspects; you can concentrate on being creative and work on music, not punching buttons and scroll wheels to edit a punch-in.

Having said that, if you're stuck on a standalone, the maybe the Zoom R8 can bridge the gap between both worlds. It will record to an SD card, but it can also stream through a USB interface.

Zoom R8 | Sweetwater.com
 
Thank you, i know computer has a lot of good point to be taken into account but my choice comes form a mixture of just not wanting to deal with computers but also my like for the "old" vibe of not having to use one.
The only problem with the zoom is that INCREDIBLY, it cannot be power by an adaptor, which is a CRUCIAL point for me. EDIT: I recently discovered (ahaha) that the usb port can be connected with and adaptor to a place different than a computer.
 
Thank you, i know computer has a lot of good point to be taken into account but my choice comes form a mixture of just not wanting to deal with computers but also my like for the "old" vibe of not having to use one.

There is nothing "old vibe" about a Tascam-008.. it's digital pres either way. The only thing "old school" is the track limitation, which you will probably tire of after making your first few recordings.

The only problem with the zoom is that INCREDIBLY, it cannot be power by an adaptor, which is a CRUCIAL point for me.

Yes it can, it comes with a USB adapter.
 
Thank you, i know computer has a lot of good point to be taken into account but my choice comes form a mixture of just not wanting to deal with computers but also my like for the "old" vibe of not having to use one.
The only problem with the zoom is that INCREDIBLY, it cannot be power by an adaptor, which is a CRUCIAL point for me.

Just for the record, the Tascam and the Zoom are both computers. The difference is, portastudios are a one trick pony computer.

When you say adapter, what do you mean, USB or a wall wart?
 
I say use the Zoom with a computer, you'll have infinite tracks, so you can easily use one of them to overdub a recording of the ground loop hum you'll be missing with no wall adapter.
 
There is nothing "old vibe" about a Tascam-008.. it's digital pres either way. The only thing "old school" is the track limitation, which you will probably tire of after making your first few recordings.



Yes it can, it comes with a USB adapter.

When i say old vibe is that you have ate least three actual knobs and not digital interfaces.
 
I have no interest at all in the computer facilites but the zoom r8 is starting to convince me. Saying that, all the features it include (drum machine more than anything) are worth for using it standalone way?
 
I have no interest at all in the computer facilites but the zoom r8 is starting to convince me. Saying that, all the features it include (drum machine more than anything) are worth for using it standalone way?

I understand the whole computer getting in the way of the recording part of it. And to some extent, it can be true, but technology is still technology, be it a PC type computer or a stand alone. You still have to learn how to use the thing.

Not trying to talk you out of anything, just giving an alternate view of the world. I use a cheap laptop with Reaper, set up a template that has all of my tracks, named and armed ready for use. If I am recording a whole band, I've got my drum channels marked and labeled, guitar, bass, etc. all set and ready to go. When I go onsite to record, I focus on, getting the channels connected to the labeling, setup the mics, get a level check, adjust the pre-amps for a good source, done. Hit record and do a save as so I can keep the sessions separate. When I am onsite, there is no fussing about. For this I use a Tascam 1800, 16 channels to deal with. Just to string the mics takes about 30-45 minutes. And that has nothing to do with the computer. The computer is the lkeat of my issues.

I use a Audiobox USB for simple recording, two channels, Reaper once again, I can power everything off the laptop batteries for about 1-2 hours of recording. Nothing new to learn. pretty simple. I do the mixing when I get back to home base with a more powerful computer and can mix in a better environment.

If you want to capture the moment, simple is the way, I agree. But do be prepared to learn your machine that you purchase. Stand alone does not mean simple. It is still a complex and powerful machine.

By the way, when I am recording/tracking, I don't like to turn anything. I just want ot focus on the sound I am capturing and getting a good take.
 
I agree with you, that's why i've been reading the manuals online of the dp008 and r8 in order to understand their capabilities a bit more. I'm on the way for one of this two. Tascam vs Zoom.
 
I agree with you, that's why i've been reading the manuals online of the dp008 and r8 in order to understand their capabilities a bit more. I'm on the way for one of this two. Tascam vs Zoom.

I use a Tascam 1800 with a cheap laptop and Reaper. I may have not been clear.
 
You haven't given us much info on what you want to record (how many tracks - instruments, etc). A stand-alone recorder can be a good place to *learn* the basics of recording, and if you're only doing a few tracks can be pretty easy to use. But I see you talking about hte built-in rhythm machines in recorders, or getting a 'vintage' drum machine - these are actually quite limited, but if you want that mechanical-drum sound, then they can work.
Once you move to a computer DAW, you'll find the possibilities and capabilities endless. So go for something like the Zoom R8 because you'll be able to use it as an audio interface for computer reocrding when/if you ever decide to go that route. It comes with a 5 volts wallwart power adapter.
 
I used to use a korg d1600. It got obsolete very quickly. In fact it was a dinosaur before I even learned how to use it....big learning curve on it for me, the dumb redneck.
In my opinion there is no better value in recording than a pc, a decent interface, and a decent DAW.
For the money spent you get twice the recording power and with the deals in used PC'S and laptops now days you can get unbelievable memory and processing power for cheap.

I wouldn't even consider purchasing a stand alone unit now.
just my 2 cents
 
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