Using BR-1180CD as final recording device

[deaf clef pro]

Hello, everyone! I'm new to both this forum and audio capture/production. I've acquired a Boss BR-1180CD digital multitrack recorder as a starting point to my new adventure and wanted some input concerning how to best manipulate it as the last step in my production chain.

1. Goals-My ultimate goal is to capture my own music made with an electric guitar. I'm also supporting a friend who plays an acoustic guitar.

2. What I've done so far-We've captured several tracks with his acoustic, using a Sterling Audio S50 microphone (in the shock mount) on input 1 and a snap-in pickup on the guitar input. The mic is positioned about 10-12 in away from the sound hole and has a pop filter to reduce percussive pick noise. I dial back the mic input sensetivity and crank up the pickup input then record each on tracks 1 and 2 respectively. I play with the pan and EQ (mostly just to reduce noise, since I don't quite understand EQ fully and the 1180's EQ seems limited) and balance out the levels when bouncing to tracks 9/10 for mastering. This device has a robust "Mastering Tool Kit" (specifically for tracks 9/10) with much better EQ capabilities so I'll trim off any pre- and post-music crud then master the track to the best of my abilities. Results sound very pleasing through my KRK 6400 headphones. Headphones are my only listening option since I don't have a dedicated space to establish a control room or full-on studio.

2. A. Question-I also have an ART Tube MP pre-amp I was considering adding to the microphone for a stronger input signal. Would using this device reap any tangible benefit? I enjoy the natural sound of the mic vs. the relatively lifeless tone of the clip-in pickup but I don't get a very strong signal from it. I'm aware the 1180 has a built-in mic pre-amp and I'd like to know how to bypass or disable that feature, assuming it's not the input sensetivity knob...

3. What I want to do next-Route my BC Rich Trace Warbeast through my Digitech GNX 3 processor to the BR 1180 for recording. I LOVE the sounds I can get with the Digitech processor but enjoy the ease of "layering" multiple tracks with the Boss device. The GNX 3 can record but it's a PITA to manage, has very little storage capacity and doesn't offer any tools for shaping the final sound.

3. A. Question-What's the preferred method for interfacing these two devices? The GNX 3 has two 1/4" outputs-described as:

"Left Output. Connect to the input of an amplifier, input of a power amp, or line input of a mixing console.

Right Output. Use this jack in conjunction with the Left Output for stereo applications. Connect to the input of a
second amplifier, or the right input of a stereo power amp."

The BR-1180 also has three 1/4" inputs, described as: "Guitar. High-impedance input jack to directly connect your guitar or bass. MIC 2 jack (TRS Phone) Input jack/connector for use with mics. Two types are provided, TRS balanced input...* If mics are connected both to the TRS phone jack and the XLR connector, the TRS phone jack is selected automatically. * If an instrument is connected to the GUITAR/BASS jack while a mic is also connected to the MIC 2 jack (or connector), the GUITAR/BASS jack is selected automatically. MIC 1 (VOCAL) Jack (TRS Phone). These jacks allow a mic to be connected. Two types are provided, TRS balanced input (p. 27)..."

I'm assuming I can connect an instrument cable (mono or tip/sleeve but NOT stereo or tip/ring/sleeve cable) from the GNX Left Output into the 1180's Guitar input?

4. Some future plans-I would like to incorporate an external equalizer into the path since the BR-1180's EQ seems quite limited. Any guidance on how to best accomplish this, along with constructive suggestions for good equalizers, would be very helpful. Rack mount units preferred. The BR-1180 has analog audio in/out jacks but the manual doesn't specify them as an "effects loop" as I'm familiar with on guitar amps. It mentions an "audio sub-mix" option but I don't quite understand what that is.

Thanks for taking the time to read through my lengthy post and I look forward to hearing your constructive inputs!

 

[mjbphotos]

I don't think you can use the audio in/out as a loop. Are you really set on doing all your recording on this device? Quick advice would be to do your tracking on it, if that's what you like, then move the files over to a computer and use a DAW for the processing/mix down. Let me tell you - once you start using a DAW, you won't want to switch back to the stand-alone! Just the automation features alone make it so much better. You could burn all the recorded tracks to a CD as separate WAV files, then take the CD to a computer to do the mixing - no audio interface needed, or f the Boss has USB output, you can transfer the files that way.

 

[deaf clef pro]

I'm assuming "DAW" means "Digital Audio Workstation" such as Cubase or ProTools? I've considered that avenue, but there's a few reasons I haven't yet- 1. I don't have a dedicated space for this fledgling hobby, so portability is essential. Everything I have right now fits into a neat pile at the foot of my bed and can be set up within 15 minutes when needed. Using a DAW would esentially ground me to the computer desk. 2. My computer is fairly old and not very powerful. Eventually I would like to have a detached building with a well-organized equipment storage room, vocal booth, performance chamber (where the musicians actually play thier instruments, whatever that space is formally labeled) and a seperate control room; inside of which would be a large mixer with plenty of I/O options with the outputs routed through an interface device into a modern laptop with sufficient HDD to capture and organize individual tracks, songs and albums. 3. I've already invested in this equipment (granted I got a great deal on most of it so the investment was relatively small) so I feel obligated to use it until my needs or capabilities outgrow it's capacity.

I'm gathering from the manual the analog line in/outs are not for an effects loop. I may be able to transfer the information saved on the 1180 to my computer using MIDI connections (Creative X-FI Fatal1ty Edition with MIDI I/O on the case front panel) but I don't know anything about MIDI. Just glancing through the manual, I don't think that's an option either. I did find a way to copy tracks in WAV format to disc so I may explore that option further...once a find a decent DAW program.