Using MR-8 to record demo's as a service?

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Ricklh

Ricklh

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Would it be possible, given the limitations of the MR-8, to set up a small part-time business as a "mobile recordist" who can go around at various locations and record small acoustic or vocal groups who want to make a demo cd but don't want to have to deal with the actual recording process themselves? For example, let's say there's a small acoustic-based band (a couple of acoustic guitars, a bass, a vocalist and back-up vocalist) wants to make a rough demo - they just want to have their song on a disc to give to friends, etc. I realize a lot of overdubbing & bouncing would be required, but would this be possible with this little machine? Maybe someone here does this already?
 
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yes

[/QUOTE]I realize a lot of overdubbing & bouncing would be required, but would this be possible with this little machine? Maybe someone here does this already?[/QUOTE]

I am currently working on a project for a soloist. I recorded her vocals and piano on location and in my home studio I am adding drums, synth, bass, guitar, back up vocals, etc.
I'm using the computer for mixing and editing. So far it is sounding really nice. I am doing this one as a favor but I don't see why you couldn't make a buck at it.
 
I am doing this one as a favor but I don't see why you couldn't make a buck at it.
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Cool, thanks for the reply. That's what I think, too.
 
The MR-8 is totally portable, so why not? Just keep in mind the pre amps are not the best, and it your group is totally acoustic, you may have problems with mic placement, but it can be worked out. I was in a "mood" and recorded myself on my acoustic guitar with a dynamic mic OUTSIDE on the grass. I caught a lot of wind on my recording, but I was able to clean most of it up, and cheated the rest when I added other tracks. If you love and it and can make money at it, why not do it?
 
recording

i bring my mixer, and mics, extra cf card, record all tracks, do punch ins, move to computer to mix and master, have done demos for 7 bands if you include the two im in.....
 
dave in toledo said:
i bring my mixer, and mics, extra cf card, record all tracks, do punch ins, move to computer to mix and master, have done demos for 7 bands if you include the two im in.....
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dave & rokket, thanks for the positive feedback. You inspire me to get busy!
 
bp baby

i have added a mxl v63mbp condenser to my stuff just for this purpose.

the mic can be powered by a 9V batt, or phantom power, which makes it a great comapnion for the MR-8 I think they still have a mxl1006bp (something like that anyway) that you can use on batt power.

Behringer also has a little 5 ch mixer that is battery operated to go with this setup.

make's everything portable and NICE!!!!
 
that would be cool, to have a condensor mic, mixer, and recorder all batt pwr.

as for pro recording tho, I wouldn't just use the mr8, unless 2 tracks is good enough, and I wouldn't think so, unless it's a soloist.
 
radiorickm said:
...Behringer also has a little 5 ch mixer that is battery operated to go with this setup.

make's everything portable and NICE!!!!
Click to expand...

Do you know which model of Behringer? I've been considering one of these for a while anyway. Is it the 602 or 802? Also, how exactly will the Behringer benefit the MR-8? Will it allow more than 2 instruments to be recorded simultaneously?
 
mr8 and batteries

not going to work, the light for the display wears out the batteries, wont get much recording done, just plug it in, same with the mixer...

the benifit of using a mixer with the mr8

as many channels as you can afford, i use 10 when recording drums....

you get some eq control

the preamps in the mr8 are weak the preamps in the mixer are strong and clean and boost the signal to a proper level

phantom power for condensor mics

extra channels for placing room mics, with the room miced correctly , you can get some good stereo live recording of a whole band....

if you arent mixing on the computer(which you really need to do)
you can use outboard gear like compressors, delays, 31 band eq"s.....
 
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dave in toledo said:
...if you arent mixing on the computer (which you really need to do) you can use outboard gear like compressors, delays, 31 band eq"s.....
Click to expand...

I have Guitar Tracks 2 (8 tracks), so would you recommend I transfer the MR-8 tracks to that program to mix?
 
As a business, I think the MR8 would be too limited with just two tracks. Too many groups would have multiple instruments and mics and that really limits what you can do.

For only a few hundred $ more you can get an 8 track machine that is much more flexible, and a 16 track for around a grand.

Your goal would be to go in, record the various tracks quickly, get out, and then mix down later. Time is $ and having to stay around for multiple takes might quickly turn the business in to a minimal profit effort.

Ed
 
a real business?

in the big scope of thigs ed is right, but for a small time for little profit and mostly fun, you could get by, but like i said you would be best off with a mixer and multiple mics in the room with a bunch of practice takes to get a decent mix, then have then go at it live,

i did the bands one track at a time, like i said, with extra cf card got all the tracks and then took them home and mixed on the pc....

i only charged them 100.00 for a three song demo cd... worked out great, now its not ready for the shelves at wall mart, but it serves its purpose being dropped off to clup owners with a promo package...

but this is certainly not a replacement for the recording studio...
 
"little profit and mostly fun" is exactly what I'm shooting for here, and to learn, on a very small scale, basic tracking, micing, mixing for solo performers (guitar or piano, or both) or bands with minimal instrumentation who maybe haven't thought a lot about being recorded or haven't had anyone to do it for them. I'm considering doing a job for free to start out with to see if it's something I want to develop further and add additional & better equipment down the road. And the $100 for a 3-song demo is a very reasonable price for both parties, which gives me some idea of what I should be able to ask for at some point.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.
 
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With that goal in mind, the MR8 is a pretty good way to get your feet wet and learn in the process. It is very well suited to small groups and can be used for larger groups with a mixer.

Having used both the MR8 and a digital 8 track for similar efforts, the 8 track worked many times better for the mixdown process. Balancing things like bass and vocals is hard to do after the fact without separate tracks.

You can record separate tracks with the MR8, but some folks are not used to the concept of playing/singing to an existing recorded track. It takes some time to find the best approaches that work.

Ed
 
Ed Dixon said:
With that goal in mind, the MR8 is a pretty good way to get your feet wet and learn in the process. It is very well suited to small groups and can be used for larger groups with a mixer.

Ed
Click to expand...

One of the major reasons I'm looking into doing this is that I'm getting a little bored with recording my own stuff but I feel I have a lot of potential to record & mix so I thought it would be fun to get out of the house and record some real players & singers.
 
Ricklh said:
One of the major reasons I'm looking into doing this is that I'm getting a little bored with recording my own stuff but I feel I have a lot of potential to record & mix so I thought it would be fun to get out of the house and record some real players & singers.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of doing the same thing but with a 4-track or maybe even an 8-track cassette deck. Go ahead. Laugh. But with dbx n/r and all the room noise of a live venue and all the tricks available once dumped to a PC, the end results are more than adequate for a local cover band in need of a demo CD.

For what I want to do it's essential that the result clearly show the band was recorded live in a public place. It should leave no doubt in the club owner's mind (or the recipient of the demo) that the band is capable of doing the job.
 
fun

Ricklh said:
One of the major reasons I'm looking into doing this is that I'm getting a little bored with recording my own stuff but I feel I have a lot of potential to record & mix so I thought it would be fun to get out of the house and record some real players & singers.
Click to expand...

it's gotta be fun...that's gotta be the motive. If you're gonna do this strictly for money you'll need to make a lot bigger investment in gear but if you can do something you love doing AND make a little cash, why not? That's the Entrepreneurial Spirit.

Just curious Dave, how much time investment did you have in that 3 song demo?
 
time on songs

lets see, about 6 hours actual recording and another 8 hours mixing and mastering...

about 7.20 per hour hahahahhhahahhaha
 
$$$

that's dedication Dave, won't make you rich but hey, you're still up $100. that's better than I can say
 
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