tascam 488mkII HELP!!

[newkid03]

hello all, i am very new to this.
just found this site and it is sooo cool. i am a drummer, in a band that would like to soon build my own home studio. i have had a 4 track, but now want to learn more. right now i don't have alot of money, to get a new pc, (some time early next year, i would like to go that route for recording) but i have recently just picked up a used tascam 488 mkII for now, to learn and stuff. any ways i have many questions about this machine and recording just don't know where to start. for now i would like to make some decent live practice tapes. we are a three piece, punk band. how many mics would i need to use and where would it be best to place them for say just some live practice tapes? what types of mics would be best for the instruments,drums etc? eventually i would like to make some more controlled type of recordings, but just for the sake of learning how. this is fine to start. i have sooo many questions, any help with these for now would be great! thanks all for your time!

 

[A Reel Person]

Well, my friend, congratulations. The 488mkII will last you for years to come.

It sounds swell, looks cool, is easy to use, is cheap & convenient, while still being relatively high end, in Porta's.

You should be able to learn the ropes of recording on it.

I'd say, right off the bat, is set up your best live sound. Then get two matched mics, like SM57's, if you can afford them,... or whatever two matched mics you can get a hold of. Then, place the mics in an X-Y configuration, just in front of the 'sound stage' area. Pan mic1 hard left and mic2 hard right. Enable tracks 1/2 to record, press RECORD. Record, as normal. STOP/REWIND/PROOF-LISTEN. If you don't like what you hear, considering altering mic placement and/or EQ.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo NewKid of 03:

If you're overdubbing, make sure recorded tracks are put into the CUE mode -- see your manual.

If you don't do this, you will lose your tracks and/or they will get all screwed up.

I've owned two 488s -- as RP said, it's a very good box. I've take tapes from that box and remastered them on my 2816 and got great results.

Good luck and you will have fun with the 488.

Green Hornet