recording idiot here, needs a bit of help...PLEASE!

[fat axl]

I am not technically up to speed at all. I know very little as far as computer terminology, don't really understand sd cards, midi, plug ins, etc..., but am thinking of purchasing a Zoom R8 to record stuff with a drum machine, guitar, bass and whatever else, my main issue is that I would like to transfer it all to a laptop, and share recordings first and foremost. If I stick an sd card into a flash drive, will I be able to just upload those files, play and share them?
Next, I know nothing about DAW's, except that a friend who is computer savvy uploaded Ableton Live for me and I was unable to figure out anything to use it. I was reading about a SONY DAW, that sounds much easier to figure out, but I'm skeptical. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks

 

[whyseye]

You'll probably get better responses in the Newbies section than the classifieds, unless you're selling something. Otherwise, I've got no help for you. Sorry about that. Good luck, though.

 

[moresound]

You may want to down load Reaper HERE. But you need an A/D interface with preamps unlike the Zoom which is a self contained unit for recording.

 

[mjbphotos]

You may find a stand-alone recorder (like the Zoom) easier to use when starting out recording. You can transfer the files form it to a computer, either by using the audio out (and recording in a simple DAW like Audacity) connected to an audio interface, or by transferring the WAV files out via USB (I think some of the Zooms do that).
Any of the full-feature DAWS like Ableton or Reaper are probably going to be too confusing for you at first. If you use an external recorder and transfer files via USB (or SD card) you wont' need an audio interface.

 

[Melvin McSnatch]

(The Zoom R8 can be used as an A/D interface as well and includes 2 preamps.) I personally think learning the DAW programs are worth your time. Yes, you can record onto the Zoom instead of into the computer (via Zoom), but you'll still need to transfer and edit through the computer. The shorter route is took hook the Zoom R8 up to the computer via USB and record straight into the DAW. It might take an afternoon to figure it out, but it's less extra steps.

I think you're specifically looking at this unit for its sampling features, which I know nothing about, but sounds like it will be useful to you. Are you in a band, or is this a one man operation? The Zoom R8 only has two inputs, so if you need more, you should look elsewhere. I own a Zoom R16 and I'm happy enough with it.

 

[tbirdsp]

Another new (but old) noob here. Previously recording on a Yamaha 4-track cassette deck. All the stuff about DAW's was making my brain hurt. I was going to buy a used Boss BR-864 8 track digital, but the guy never called me back. I got pissed and downloaded Reaper - SOOO glad I did. Yes, the learning curve is steep, but it's simply unbelievable what you can do. I've just barely scratched the surface so far, but have been able to record tracks and add some efx. I bought a little Tascam US-100 interface and am using the ASIO4all drivers. If I had it to do again I'd get an interface with more than one mic input so I could at least stereo mic things if I want.

 

[javierf55]

My advise is to connect your zoom directly to the PC, transfer the files and then download audacity from here ... Audacity: Download yes it's FREE and is an easy way to start learning how to use a DAW.

Also if you like reading, buy this book Amazon.com: The Book of Audacity: Record, Edit, Mix, and Master with the Free Audio Editor (9781593272708): Carla Schroder: Books which is great to learn Audacity step by step.

After you learn this, you will be ready to go for Reaper, Ableton, etc.

 

[Armistice]

It's unlikely that you'll be able to just put the SD card in the computer because it's likely that the unit will have its own file format which is not necessarily understood by your computer. But you don't need to anyway as you can use USB to transfer the files. As for sharing, get Dropbox or some other "cloud" file utility and share away.

And go and read the Zoom R8 site, it's all there.

 

[Telegram Sam]

I suggest learning to use your computer, but you can't learn digital recording by looking around in the DAW software.

Look for a beginner book on how to do digital recording and read it first; if you can make sense of it, you can get the job done.

I'm working on learning digital recording myself, and have resigned myself to to fact that I will probably be in over my head forever,
but little by little am learning how to get things done.

I think dedicated hardware systems, in the long run are going to become more and more obsolete; computer solutions are much more flexible.