WANTED: Portable Recording Recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter AussieGal
  • Start date Start date
aussie gal ive given you my best thoughts on the subject. i'm a puter engr for eons and i wont buy ANYTHING USB for sound use. people are having too many problems with it. its ok for "little needs" like a usb mouse but not serious work.
at least you have a decent amd computer. you can do SERIOUS work with that. oodles of tracks. you can do great midi bass lines and record them onto the amd using powertracks that i use. also great vocal tracks and drums. it has a built in drum track maker. if you dont believe me ask
some of the midi pro's who know way more than i do bout midi at the powertracks userr forum at pgmusic.com. also it has all sorts of "vocal effects" like reverb and echo and chorusing etc built in. just try the demo on your amd. i still maintain your limited by standalones compared to a pc.
 
Cloneboy: Thanks for the extra info and demo.

Armistice: Regarding your thoughts of pretending to be a girl...

You should see the advice I get when I start talking about my rack. :cool:

Ausrock: You're worth more. Whatever he's paying you. :D

AG :)
 
Thanks for your help manning1. I will definitely check that out.

AG :)
 
AussieGal said:
You should see the advice I get when I start talking about my rack. :cool:
Click to expand...

Hrm, wrong section for that... or wait... wouldn't any section be okay for that? Oh, you meant equipment. N/m.
 
The BOSS recorder (the small one) It is tiny but has 8 tracks i think, (with loads of virtual tracks) loads of effects and you can get a decent sound out of it. Obiously not as good as a pro studio, but it is real handy as it is small (did i say that already?) AND it can run on batteries!! How cool is that. You could be in the tour van or car on the way to a gig the other side of the world and you could record a tune while travelling!
 
PC Based rule!!

hi there,
I have been using a dell 5200 laptop, Sonar 1.3, and a RME Multiface for recording live gigs for three years. Can do up to 8 tracks at one time, 24 bit 96 khz...only had one problem, and resetting the pc fixed it. Mostly it was learning the software. Very nice way to go.
Tried a Korg 1600 once, and it was not pretty. Ended up returning it...it was malfunctioning.
Jason
 
BOSS BR1600CD + Cakewalk Sonar

AussieGal,

I use a Boss BR-1600CD for portable recording, with Cakewalk Sonar 3.1 for mixdown and mastering. In order to go from the Boss BR-1600CD to the computer, I use WAV-MAKER-1600 software (sold by Top Sound Productions http://www.topsoundproductions.com) to convert the tracks to WAV in one step, then import into Cakewalk Sonar for processing the final mix and mastering.

The advantages of the Boss BR-1600CD:

1. 8 tracks (XLR AND 1/4" Jacks) simultaneous record.
2. Compressors and EQ on every track.
3. 40GB Hard Drive.
4. Boss/Roland Quality.
5. USB port to copy entire projects to computer.
6. One-step conversion to WAV with WAV-MAKER-1600 software.
7. One Self Contained Unit (19 x 13 x 4 size) for portability.

The cost of the entire solution:

BOSS BR-1600CD: $1400
Cakewalk SONAR Producer: $600
WAV-MAKER-1600: $40

In the case of a live performance exceeding 8-tracks, I use outboard mixers and effects as appropriate (i.e. mixing the drums down to a stereo track, and sometimes guitars/keyboards to another stereo track) to get down to exactly 8 tracks. I use Behringer UB1832FX and Soundcraft Spirit Folio mixers for outboard mixers, and various compressors and EQ outboard effects as needed. This makes things a little less portable (more gear to bring) but works nonetheless in the case of many tracks.
 
Hi AussieGal,

You might consider what I am doing. I have a very limited budget and besides I want the opportunity to learn so that when I do have some real cash to spend I know what I want.

So here is my live rig so far:
Fostex MR-8 with extra CF cards for extended recording
Behringer Eurorack UB1202 Mixer
Two Nady SP-1 mic combos including cables and stands from Musician's Friend
Stereo headphones for checking levels
Cheapo Behringer MS-16 monitors for immediate playback on-site
Miscellaneous cables
Home PC for sound editing

I already had the PC so I did not have to buy that. So far I have about $450 dollars US invested since I got the MR-8 used on a good deal off eBay. I am planning a driver upgrade for the MS-16's ($25) and want to buy two MXL-990 condensor mics and stands soon ($170).

I think this will yield a pretty good start for live recording and the gear is compact so carrying it around is not a big issue. Note that I am recording acoustic players so I do not have to deal with drum kits or other more difficult micing issues.

I bet that you would do well to investigate ordering from a US outlet such as Musician's Friend and suffer the freight charges, given that Aussie prices are so dear.

Rudy2
 
Thanks Gene and Rudy for your suggestions. I bought a BR-1600CD about a month ago now (about AUD $1800) and have been really impressed with it. Of course, it's probably very easy to impress an amateur like me. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I bought an AT3035 condenser mic, and a few other bits and pieces, including a Roland Juno-D keyboard. I got another great discount on it (demo model) and it does everything I need for now. In terms of value for money I think I've done okay.

I'm on a big learning curve because despite being a relatively experienced musician, the recording process is very new to me. I am certainly going to investigate the computer mixing and mastering option that so many have recommended - when the hours and dollars allow. For now though, I am enjoying learning the basics on the BR1600CD, with the assistance of some books and knowledgeable friends. :)

Thanks to you all!

AG :)
 
I am the proud owner of both an HD24 and AW16G. I use the HD24 in my studio and for large live recordings. I use my AW16G for portable recording. I did a lot of research and the aw16g is the best in the under 1k market.
 
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