Portable Recording Studio

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Willyc510

Willyc510

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So I am starting an Organization at Miami University of Ohio call AEMP (pronounced Amp) that stands for Audio Engineering and Music Production.

Our goal is to find artists that are just starting out and get them a quality demo CD and advertise them to the rest of Miami.

At first I wanted to get some studio space and build a cheap recording studio but that's not going to happen, there is no space anywhere.

So what our adviser recommended was that we create a portable recording studio that we can store in some closet space and then bring to people's houses and record them there.

This is what I think it's going to look like.

Bare bones kit desktop Computer- $700
Specs: 3.5 ghz i7 processor
8gb RPM
1TB 7200 RPM HardDrive
3.0 USB inputs

Some type of 8-Input audio Interface like PreSonus FireStudio Project
8 Mics/ Mix of condenser and dynamic

that would be it.
Would this work and get us a great DEMO cd if we mix and master it well?

Thanks!
 
I would not consider those two options (which would equate to maybe 1,000 dollars) and actually buy a multitrack recorder. Seems like you would worry less about breaking something (mostly, the computer). You wouldn't have software issues. You could just dump the tracks into a computer later on.
 
I'd say it very much depends upon what you know about recording and the spaces you're recording in than the equipment...it's the witch, not the wand. BTW, how are you going to monitor your recording while it's in progress?
 
We plan on using headphones for the recording session because we don't have the ability to isolate the artists. We are really limited in where we can record. We would use speakers during mixing and mastering.
 
CrowsofFritz said:
I would not consider those two options (which would equate to maybe 1,000 dollars) and actually buy a multitrack recorder. Seems like you would worry less about breaking something (mostly, the computer). You wouldn't have software issues. You could just dump the tracks into a computer later on.
Click to expand...

We have the computer and we have the mics. And we are getting funding for the audio interface so it won't cost us anything. I just wanted to make sure it was going to be enough. I am worried about the desktop getting damaged though, I think i'm going to rig up something like a wooden chest that I install something in it so that the computer tower can be transported without moving around.
 
I would be tempted to get something like the Tascam DP-32, you can only record 8 tracks at once but you can record 32 tracks. It has on board mixing and effects and is self contained which is good for what you want to do, you can put it in a case for transport. If it's over budget, try for a Tascam DP-24 (24 track version of a DP-32) or a Tascam 2488NEO

Don't forget Mics, Cables, Stands, headphones and Monitors.

Alan.
 
We use a Focusrite Pro 40 & Octopre in a 3U Gator nylon case with a Macbook pro. Works great. The Pro 40 has 2 headphone outs plus the usual other TRS monitoring outputs. That comes in handy. Or you may need to buy a headphone amp/splitter if recording several musicians at the same time.
We considered the portastudio route but decided to invest in A/D conversion versus portability. We considered the FireStudio too but decided we liked the rear connection instead of the front. Less cable mess in our opinion. But whatever floats your boat.
 
musicmachine said:
We use a Focusrite Pro 40 & Octopre in a 3U Gator nylon case with a Macbook pro. Works great. The Pro 40 has 2 headphone outs plus the usual other TRS monitoring outputs. That comes in handy. Or you may need to buy a headphone amp/splitter if recording several musicians at the same time.
We considered the portastudio route but decided to invest in A/D conversion versus portability. We considered the FireStudio too but decided we liked the rear connection instead of the front. Less cable mess in our opinion. But whatever floats your boat.
Click to expand...

We do a similar thing with an macbook pro 13inch 2.4GHz i5 4GB ram (we had a macbook white dual core 2.0GHz 4 GB ram for years that worked fine until it finally passed away) and a MOTU 8 pre (which died) so we replaced it with the Pro 40 as well (and i couldn't agree more with the front face inputs! it was a pain in the arse). the pro 40 also meant we could sling a 6 way headphone amp into the little rack (which doesn't get loads of use but it's a life saver when you need it). We also have a short 8 XLR snake to save space/mess. The biggest problem we've found is that you are very much at the mercy of the space you have to work with. Some of them are great, some of them are......well......difficult. We started taking a duvet and an sE reflexion filter with us everywhere just in case.
 
I'm going to add my totally biased opinion here:...

Here's another plug for the Tascam DP24. It is small, affordable and self contained. Gives you 12-mono tracks and 12-stereo tracks. Stereo tracks can be reduced to mono tracks, with accompanying track count reduction. Records 8-tracks simultaneously. It's solid state, and therefore is shock proof. It has buttons and faders, a few knobs, and therefore does not require mousing around. It has dedicated buttons for most used functions, as well as some menu driven functions. All recording, mixdown and "mastering" can be done onboard, as well as copying or porting all tracks over to a puter, if you'd prefer that. It burns a CD onboard. It is quiet in use and does not produce unwanted ambient noise in the recording space, which could be an issue with computers and a quieter acoustic act.

The DP24 is a good way to go for some people, while there are many different solutions for your stated purposes.
:spank::eek:;)
 
This...DR-680.

Has just come into my perview and the battery operation could be a big bonus.

Dave.
 
Dr-680 overview

Product: DR-680 | TASCAM
Up to eight tracks can be recorded to solid-state SD card media at 96kHz/24-bit Broadcast WAV quality. Six mic inputs provide phantom power and 60dB of gain for great-sounding recordings with your condenser microphones. Record the six microphones along with a digital S/PDIF source for 8 track recording.
Tascam DR-680 8-Track Portable Field Audio Recorder DR-680 B&H
Tascam DR-680 8-Track Portable Field Audio Recorder
Price:$669.99

========
I'm not sure the DR-680 fits the request of the OP to want to use up to 8 mics/simul, and is only 8 tracks total with no frills.
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Tascam DP-24 Digital Portastudio DP-24 B&H Photo Video
Tascam DP-24 Digital Portastudio
Price:$599.00

========
I think you get more for less money with the DP-24, which is 8 tracks simul, 8 mic inputs, 24 playback tracks, hundreds of virtual tracks, mixer with faders, built in effects, etc.
========

Admittedly, there is no single right or perfect solution to any question with so many variables.
:spank::eek:;)
 
To add my 2 cents to this thread, as an alternative to the excellent Tascam machines listed above, Zoom R16 or R24, a Behringer HA400 headphone amp, plus associated mics, cables and stands.
 
Trouble is, how much editing and mixing will they want to do once the location recording is made? If more than fairly basic, they may well end up wanting/needing a computer for the mix process as well, with the attendant effect on the budget. Don't get me wrong--I'm a fan of the Zoom R16 or R24 in particular for recording--but I hate trying to mix on small portables.

I lug a computer (used to be a desktop, now a laptop) around for most location recording except for small stuff "in the street" where I use an H4n. It's not as bad as it sounds and, if the computer is fairly dedicated to the task, I've never had reliability problems.

Interface wise, there's also the Tascam US 1800 which is well thought of round these parts.

The 8 channel snake will be good but don't forget you still need shorter XLRs to plug into the snake.

I see no problem with headphones for monitoring at the computer--not ideal but pretty much the norm on location. Don't forget you may need headphones and a headphone amp or two for the musicians...if so, then cabling back from the computer as well.

Finally, you ask if you can make great demo CDs. You'll have the basics but for great, you need great performers, great mics, great acoustics...and a great person at the controls of the recording and mixing.
 
I have both the Tascam DP-24 and the Zoom R-16 and portable "basic" (just getting the tracks in) recording on the Zoom is a little easier than the DP-24. 8 direct inputs....very light......and it even runs on battery power. However....the DP-24 is more visual......great color screen.......don't have to switch between track groups.......and the pre's are far better than the Zoom. The mixing and mastering is also less painful on the DP-24. Bottom line.......both will give you excellent results and have pretty much the same features.......but after the tracks have been recorded........the DP-24 is a bit easier to mix and master with.
 
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