recording tips and gear choices

[tommy_]

HI this is my first post.

I want to record my band ,we are 4 ,bass guitar(back vocal), lead guitar, singer(shuffle guitar) and me swinging the stick. now here is the gear I have in my hand: Yorkville amp ap800, Equalizer DOD R 830a ,an old Teac 3 mixer 8 chanel/input and some EV speakers. I need a recorder and this is absolutly new to me I know nothing about this piece of equipment. Analog or digital ? 4 track or more? With a 8 track will I be able to record everybody at the same time? I have 5 mics for my drum, 2 mics for singing and 3 guitars to record. To me the math says that I need 10 input but maybe there is a way to mix all of that in different way. so please anathing you thing for mu debut will be appreciated.

thanks ,tommy_

 

[Cosmic]

Hi Tommy, welcome.

To break things down a bit:
Here are some ways you can choose to record:

Analog (reel-to-reel) Great format, but slowly dying; tape is getting scarcer. Somewhat portable.
Analog (cassette) With work can sound decent, simple operation. Takes good mixing chops to get the best out of it. Portable. Cheap because it too is slowly going out.

Digital (PC based) via soundcard. You can get a lot of tracks and effects for a reasonable sum. Not very portable.
Digital (Multi-track recorder) everything-in-a-box, many times including the CD-burner. Portable.

Your real issue is the following, as I see it:
You want to record 8 tracks at a time.
You don't have a mixing engineer.
This then means that you would need a machine that can do 8 tracks simultaneously, since you don't have the option of running everything into the mixer and having someone 'riding' the mix as you play and feeding it to, say, a 2-track recorder.

Just so you know where I am on this: I have a Tascam 2488 free-standing 24-track digital recorder. It will record 8 tracks at a time for up to a total of 24, which you can then mix and burn. Price: still about $1100.

Look at Tascam, they have several models, also look at Roland, Korg, and Yamaha, they offer similar digital recorders.

Key thing to remember: smaller '8-track' digital recorders will not record all 8 tracks at the same time; usually 2 or 4, so your real decision becomes:

Can we only really groove when we all play together at the same time? And do you still want full mixing flexibility (everything on its own track) after the fact?

If yes, only a machine capable of doing the 8 tracks in real-time is your choice.

Or a PC running a multi-track program.

Had this been 10 years earlier, my first recommendation for both sound quality and simplicity would have been the above-mentioned 1/2-inch analog Tascam or Fostex 8-trackers (which DO record 8 tracks at the same time), but while they are still available used, getting a good one can be a gamble, and with the last analog tape manufacturer in bankruptcy, I do not feel comfortable suggesting you go hunting one of those down.

Are you willing to lay down the rhythm section first and then build the other tracks individually? If you do it piece by piece, a smaller 8-track may be enough. You can always save tracks by running the 4-5 drum mics into your mixer, and feeding that with 2 outputs to the recorder. But you would still be doing it piece by piece, and if you go over 8 channels, you have to start layering tracks to make space for everything.

Bit of a ramble here, but I hope some of this helps you out. Feel free to ask more.

Best,

CC

 

[tommy_]

Thanks alot for your good answer. definatly going digital , with at leats 8 simultaneous redording tracks. I've looked at two recorder wichs is Tascam 2488 and Yamaha AW-16G .They all can do 8 tracks at the same time they seel for almost the same price ,one is plastic and the other is aluminum they bolt come with cdr/rw built in and HD as well. So now I can't make my decision but will certainly choose bethween those bad boys.

tommy

 

[tommy_]

sorry double post.

 

[Cosmic]

Tommy,

Glad to help. If you haven't come across it yet, www.tascam2488.com is a user-run board that deals with everything Tascam. It will give you tons of insight into the 2488, and lots of other help too.

Best,

CC

 

[tommy_]

Thanks again Cosmic, I have finaly came to a decision and bought a Yamaha aw16G. I will have a lot to learn since I know close to nothing. Another question cross my mind, is my old teac 3 mixer will be abble to handle corectly mic's, pre amp and phantom power the mixer have six xl mic's input and two 1/4 input?

tommy

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Tommy:

There is a AG16 forum out there. So, you will have lots of help, just like on this site except the other is devoted to the 16.

I use the Yam 2816 in my studio. Works fine but there is mucho to learn. You may want to also pick up a decent mic pre and a compressor; however, you will have pres and dynamics on the AG16 as I have on the 2816.

You will have fun and learning is half the fun.

Happy Spring,
Green Hornet