Recording all acoustic

[ZSteveP]

Hi,

I've been searching eBay for a used digital multitrack and then cross referencing what I find back to this site with all the great information. Everyone provides good support to us newbies, thx. As you might expect I'm now more confused than when I started. Thought I would stop and ask some advice.

I plan on recording an all acoustic 4 piece bluegrass band with vocals. The minimum requirements I have are at least 4 tracks simultaneous recording and 8 tracks total (but of course more would be nice). I want to be able to get the output back to my PC for burning to CD (unless the device has a built-in CD). I also have XLR mics but I see many devices only accept up to 2 and some none, but I figured I could get some XLR to 1/4" converters.

Any thoughts to consider or things to avoid in this senario? I'm familiar with the recording process in general from a musician's standpoint, I've played on three projects in the studio, but this will be the first time on the other side of the mic.

Thx,
Steve

 

[apl]

Hey, Steve.

You may want to look at the Aardvark Q10. Here is a somewhat dated review. It'll give you 8 channels with mic preamps.

 

[notbradsohner]

what is your budget like, and what kind of mics do you have?

 

[ZSteveP]

From the items I've seen on eBay I was looking to spend $300 to $600 on the recorder. Have Shure, Peavey, MXL mics. I was thinking I could use my Behringer mixer for two of the condenser mics by running one on the left and one right channel to provide phantom power and then out to two channels on the recorder.

Thx,
Steve

 

[notbradsohner]

ok, the mixer will provide phantom power,

does each instrument need to be seperate? could you record two instruments to one channel.

mic---channel 1 on mixer---\
_________________________mixer outs---channel 1 on recorder
mic---channle 2 on mixer---/

 

[ZSteveP]

Could probably work on a good balance and record the guitar and bass together, leaving the lead instruments for seperate channels.