Question about Digital Recording?

[Lpitt56]

I current have a very simple setup of a Blue Snowflake USB mic and using Ntrack software to mix and stuff. I am wanting to upgrade to some a bit better quality sound (without spending a bundle).

I have looked at the digital recorders like Tascam DR02 and Roland BR series that mix and burn directly to CD and have USB interface. I have also looked at the hand-held unit they both sell along with m-audio little 2 mic input unit that simply record and can dump to the computer.

Question... Since I already have a good PC with fair software for mixing and burning to CD is it wiser to just look for the recorder and save money, or do I need the hardware mixer and burner like a Tascam DR02 or equivilent to get the quality.

Thanks in advance ..

 

[ErichS]

Hi and welcome.

Whether you mix at the recorder or computer is really up to you had how you prefer to work.

I have been recording for few years using a standalone Korg D1600 wich has a quite capable mixer and mastering setup, but for me mixing and editing on a computer offers much more capability and flexibility. For example, you can use plugin effects and edit grapically on a full size monitor as opposed to strugling with a tiny display and multi-layered menus. So I record my tracks on the Korg and transfer them to the computer for mixing, editing, and (seudo)mastering.

If you don't mind recording to the computer, instead of getting a standalone recorder, a better upgrade might be the addition of an audio interface with built-in mic preamps (e.g. firepod or similar) and an inexpensive condensor mic (depends on what type of material you are recording, but something like MXL, or entry level AT)

 

[gecko zzed]

Question... Since I already have a good PC with fair software for mixing and burning to CD is it wiser to just look for the recorder and save money, or do I need the hardware mixer and burner like a Tascam DR02 or equivilent to get the quality.

Quality is not determined by the means by which you record (PC or stand-alone, or some combination of the two). Nor, if you use a PC, is it determined by the application that you use. Most applications do much the same things, and are of reasonably comparable quality.

The things that have a bigger impact on quality are your signal path, your monitoring path (including the room), and your capacity to work the equipment, to identify and deal with sound issues, and to construct satisfactory mixes.

Although recording systems are roughly equal, they are not the same. Reaper is quite different to Logic, and a stand alone system is quite different to a PC-based system. The system that is most likely to help you achieve your quality aspirations is the one that is most suited to how you like to work, and how you like to think about things. Some people, for example, are very tactile in their approach, and like the physicality of knobs and faders. Others are quite happy using a mouse.

I think I've really just restated what ErichS said more succinctly: it's "really up to you had how you prefer to work".

 

[Lpitt56]

Thanks a bunch for the reply and you answered by primary question. After reading the two post I think I will look for a decent audio interface and condenser mics and I should be fine ---and save a bit of money going that route.

 

[Lpitt56]

One other quick question. If I purchase an audio interface such as m-audio ultra or something along that line. Will a condenser mic give me significantly better quality than a dynamic mic?

 

[ErichS]

As gecko zzed mentioned, quality depends on many factors. The choice between using a condensor or a dynamic mic really depends on what you are recording and the sound you are trying to acheive.

Condensors are often more sensitive than dynamics thus are favored for acoustic instruments and voice, or sources needing high sensitivity.

Dynamics are often used to mic electric guitar cabinets and some drums, but can also work on acoustic instruments.

These are just examples - there are no rules. You can find enourmous amounts of mic discussion and recomendations in the Microphone forum.