Noob looking for advice?

[jutah]

Hi all

I am looking for some recording advice and have some questions on what maybe to get. I am looking to record a few acoustic guitars and maybe some voice. I am not looking to do anything fancy right now, just want to mess around with, get some ideas down, and learn with the possibility to expand later if I wanted to.

I have been looking at some of those porta studios at guitar center. Specificly the TASCAM TASCAM DP-01FX Microphone Recording Package, the Fostex MR-8 mkII 8-Track Digital Recorder. and the TASCAM DP-01 Digital 8-Track Portastudio. I have these questions:

1. Are any of these studios good for what I want to do?
2. Will I need to buy anything else in addition to the studio?
3. Do I plug my amp directly into these things?
4. What causes the difference in price when they are all 8 track?

Sorry for the sill questions, but I have no idea and don't want to blow ~$500 on the wrong stuff.

Thanks,

Jutah

 

[dirtyp]

Since noone answered you. Ill try to help you out,
I havent used a multi-track since they was analog.
But I do know the mrk is lower end,

The difference in price are feartures, some have compression and lots of plug ins, Others have drum machines,cd burners, and lot of ins and outs.
If your looking for one of them you have to spend $700-1000.
And theyll work great. The dp has effects they should be good

If you want cheaper stuff go the interface,mixer,mic route.
get a good interface and mic, and something like the yamaha mg12.

The TASCAM DP-01FX at musiciansfriend comes with a mic for $450, you will need a xlr wire. That looks pretty sweet, I Didnt realize it was that cheap,Im not sure if it will hook directly to the pc or not,I Dont see a usb. But it sounds straight,

 

[ssscientist]

Here's one you should look at --- LINK --- because it's in your price range, nice and compact and sounds very good.

It records to Compact Flash cards up to 1GB in size and has a USB port to interface with your computer for mixdowns and backups.

You'd need a microphone with this one too, but that's the case with every thing you're considering. The low price of this unit will let you move upmarket a little with your microphone choice...


.

 

[jutah]

Cool thanks guys Ok so I still have some questions. You guys said that on both of them I need a mic. I can't plug my amps out into it? If not do put a mic up to the amp and plug it into the recorder? Whats a xlr wire? Also I guess I need a set of head phones? Another question is why do I need to send it to my computer besides for burning cds? Can't I do everthing on the recorder? Angain sorry if theses are silly questions

Thanks,

Jutah

 

[ssscientist]

I can't plug my amps out into it?

DO NOT try that --- plugging a powered out into a recorder of any kind is quite foolish to say the least. It won't sound like anything anyway because of impedance mismatches for the microseconds you'll get before you turn the recorder into a paperweight.

If not do put a mic up to the amp and plug it into the recorder?

That's the way it's done. Some use a Pod or similar amp modeling device.

Whats a xlr wire?

Simply put, it's the cable that connects the microphone to the recorder. You'll need one of those too.

Also I guess I need a set of head phones?

And monitors which is another name for purpose-built studio speakers.

Another question is why do I need to send it to my computer besides for burning cds?

If you get one with a CD burner you won't need to. But if you've already got a CD burner in your computer you'll be duplicating gear and I guarantee you the 'transfer to computer' process is nowhere near as intimidating as it sounds.

.

 

[jutah]

Cool thanks I think I am starting to get it a little. So I put the mic up to the amp and plug the mic out into the recorder. The monitors are just speakers that plug into the recorder, so why do you need them when you have the head phones? So I looked around a little and found this package http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP01-AllInOne-Recording-Package?sku=240491
What do you think of this one? Or is it cheaper\better to buy all the parts seperate?

Thanks again,

Jutah

 

[solo.guitar]

Cool thanks I think I am starting to get it a little. So I put the mic up to the amp and plug the mic out into the recorder. The monitors are just speakers that plug into the recorder, so why do you need them when you have the head phones? So I looked around a little and found this package http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP01-AllInOne-Recording-Package?sku=240491
What do you think of this one? Or is it cheaperetter to buy all the parts seperate?

Thanks again,

Jutah

Headphones are used while tracking (recording). Monitors are used for mixing. Both are essential.

I don't have any experience with the Tascam-DP01, but that package looks like a good starting kit, especially for the price, you get pretty much everything you need to get started.

It doesn't have a CD burner, but you can hook it up to the USB port on your computer and transfer it to your PC that way.

Personally, I would save a little longer and buy each thing seperately, but that's just me. The Boss recorder that sscientist posted is good, my friend has one and likes it.

However, if you decide to get that package, you may end up wanting to get a new microphone in the near future, maybe an SM58 or SM57.

I'm sure this would be a good start, though. Much better than the gear I, and a lot of other people, started off with.

 

[Nicole_Rose]

i have experience with the tascam dp 01 fx. it's a very good starter rig to tell you the honest truth. easy to use, easy to learn, good manual, fairly versatile considering the price.

the dp 01 is the same just without effects.

 

[dirtyp]

Thats a good bundle, the mic isnt that good but you can upgrade later on ($100-200).

The stand and all that will be useful, some places sell stands for $40 {rip off}.

The monitors are ok but you want find much better unless you spend $250-400.

The headphones are good.

The tascam is worth it better then my equipment.But the one with effects is better.

the bundle would save you some money, you could ebay the mic and pick up something better. But its easier to find a quailty mic at a descent price then monitors. Most good monitors are in the 400+ range.And youll have everything you need, beside the xlr wich is like 5 bucks

 

[jutah]

Thanks guys. I have just a few more questions.
Why can't you just use headphones for mixing?
What is the difference between condenser and dynamic mics?
What type of mic is the one with the TASCAM?
Since that package does not have fx, will I be able to add a something into the recorder later to add effects? Will I be missing anything big that the fx model has?
Since I'll be using it primary for acoustic guitar, should I mic the amp or can I plug the mic into the recorder and just set the mic next to the guitar?

I also was just looking at that Boss BR-600 that was mentioned above and it said that stereo microphones are built in? Does that mean I don't need a mic? I also watched the video clip on it and the guy was playing the effects, which looked like to an amp is this possible?

Thanks again, you guys have been helpfull!

Jutah

 

[Nicole_Rose]

most portastudio's or consoles, (the tascam included,) have an effects send/return bus that will allow you to add effects at a later date, if you get your hands on some effects.