What Options Do I have for Drums? -> using old Fostex A-8 Reel to Reel

[CaptainEpcot]

Hey,

First post. Looks like a great forum. This is a newb question so I thought I'd start in this forum.

I have an old Fostex A-8, 8 track reel to reel and a Fostex mixer. I also have an old Casio RZ-1 drum machine. I haven't used either in close to 20 years. But I hooked up the drum machine recently and it sounded horrible. After reading a little on the web, I found that this machine was popular with house/techno sounds. Makes sense. I play/record more rock, blues, pop, etc... so the techno drum machine isn't working.

Here are my 2 questions.

1.) Can I use a software program like Cakewalk Session Drummer 2 on the computer and record it on the reel to reel? If so, will I need any type of hardware to allow this to happen? And will Session Drummer 2 work if I just download it (think it was $79) or do I need to run it with a host?

2.) Do you recommend software or an actual drum machine? And do you have a recommendation for someone who is on a tight budget?

Thanks!

Mark

 

[gecko zzed]

1.) Can I use a software program like Cakewalk Session Drummer 2 on the computer and record it on the reel to reel? If so, will I need any type of hardware to allow this to happen? And will Session Drummer 2 work if I just download it (think it was $79) or do I need to run it with a host?

2.) Do you recommend software or an actual drum machine? And do you have a recommendation for someone who is on a tight budget?

The answer to 1) is 'yes'. You can create a drum track in Cakewalk, and record the compter's output into the Fostex. I can't answer the second part of it, because I've never used it. Someone else will have to. However, quite a few of these will operate as stand-alones as well as in a host. See what it says on the web.

I don't have an answer to 2). Again, someone else may help.

But here is a question for you. You mentioned an 'old Fostex'. Simply becuase you have something doesn't mean to say that it is the best thing to use. Have you considered working within the computer itself?

 

[stevieb]

Gecko, as usual, has a valid point. (From my observations, he is one of the more reasoned people here.) Let me suggest some pros and cons of recording to the Fostex vs. to your computer.

Fostex:
Pros: Warmth of analog/tape.
Intuitive operation- things happen physically, not virtually; you can SEE it happen so you KNOW it is happening.
Good training- by seeing this happen, you know HOW they happen.
Cache' of going to tape.
Cons: Noise, usually in the form of tape hiss.
Open reel tape can be a PITA to deal with.
Deteriotion of media.
Storage.
You will have to bounce to computer to distribute/share music.

Computer:
Pros: Ditigal is pristine, and near-noiseless.
No additional storage needed.
Most everything is done in computers these days, trains you to use it for recording.
Cons: Hard drives can crash; you lose EVERYTHING.
Gotta get/learn new software.
If things are not working, you can't see what is happening/not happening- makes troubleshooting frustrating.
Digital is also sterile.

There are lots of free and legally downloadable drum machines. I don't know anything about them except that they exist.

If you are wanting drum backing tracks, I'd go with the computer. If you are getting into (or back to) recording, I'd use the Fostex for a while. IMHO, there is nothing like knowing how things work to know how to work them- and you really are at a disadvantage with the "behind the scenes" way computers work, in that regard.

 

[CaptainEpcot]

I'd love to go with a computer based recording system. I just don't have the budget for it. But I do have the Fostex system and it works. I just need a drum machine of some type. I really liked the Session Drummer 2 from Cakewalk but it does say under system requirements you must have - VSTi compatible host (PC only). I don't really know what is involved in getting a VSTi. The Session Drummer 2 download is $79. How much would the VSTi cost?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm also keeping my eye on craigslist for used drum machines.