what recording equipment?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Torfinn
  • Start date Start date
T

Torfinn

New member
I play bass. Mostly just to amuse myself. I am an old rocker and I like to play classic hard rock. I do not have a band so I usually just jam with the stereo. But for some time now I have been wanting to do some recording.

So my question is what kind of recording equipment do I need?

I would like to make good quality recordings since the end product will be going out to freinds and family. I wil of course be doing all of the bass tracks as well as some of the keyboard tracks and some of the vocals. My cousin will probably do the guitars for me if I send him a demo (I think his equipment is analog if that makes a difference). for drums I will probably use a drum machine, I could use a recommendation on one of those too.

I am thinking that something with 8 tracks would be nice if it is not too expensive. Can anyone recommend something and tell me why they are recommending it?

Thanks.
 
Analog!

If you are an old rocker, you're gonna want to do the old rock thing, and go analog. Or, you can "sell out" and go digital or record onto your computer. 8 tracks you say? If you want something easy and convenient, take a look at the Tascam 488MKII, AMS ( http://www.americanmusical.com ) still sells them new for $879.96. That's a little pricey, you can definately find it used for less, but as a new user, you may be making a mistake by getting something used, cause you really don't know what to look for to make sure it's in excellent condition. This unit allows you to record 2 tracks at once I believe. That means you can do 1 stereo instrument (2 tracks, 1 instrument) at once...if you're going to be recording yourself, this is no problem at all. There's also the Tascam 238, which is an EXCELLENT unit from what I hear, but it's a rackmount recorder, and you'll need a seperate mixer for it. You'd probably get the best cassette sound out of that plus a good mixer, but that's also sort of pricey, and 238's only come used now a days. But come to think of it, they usually don't go for too much ($300 or less?), you'll just need a good mixer (Mackie). Then there's the whole reel to reel world...but I don't think you want to go that far. These are my best suggestions to you...do the rock and roll thing and stick with analog man.
 
How much do you want to spend?

How much do you want to spend?

If you want to rec just some good demos, what about a 4 TRACK?

I recomend you the TASCAM 414, you can rec 4 tracks at once or use the 4 inputs an rec just in one track.
This way you can spend more of your money in the drum machine and rec it at the same time with the bass line, and they will be already mixed in one or two chanels, if you want stereo image and then add all the instruments you want.
I think is a very good deal for you, it record with a very "warm" sound, just like the classic hard rock.

-tascam 414.
-drum machine or a software of you computer.
-a good mic, let say sm57 for all propurses.
 
MGS

Yes I do have a computer, 3 of them, but the fastest one is only a pentium 200 with a 1 gig hard drive.


I would like the ability to record 4 tracks at once, if possible, my wife plays keyboards too and I have a neibor who comes over once in a great while to jam, so it is possible that we could all record together someday. :D
I am hoping that I can get something good for under $1000. Not including the drum machine.

Is there a web site where I can get info on the recording equipment you guys have mentioned?



[Edited by Torfinn on 08-11-2000 at 08:43]
 
With a 1gig hard drive you're best to take the others' advice here and go for a cassette-based multitracker. I use a Yamaha MT4X. It is a 4-track unit that can do 4 tracks at once. I think I payed around US$400 for it new last year and it is a great piece. I also used to own a similar unit by Fostex and, of course, Tascam has been mentioned here as another good choice. You will certainly be able to get a new recorder that will suit your needs within your price-range.

Mark
 
Are there any special features that I should be looking for? And do these machines have the ability to mix down tracks that are already recorded in order to add more tracks?
 
Torfinn,

Most of the cassette-based multitrackers are similar within their particular price bracket. Some offer certain features like the ability to pan effects, or to send more than one auxilliary out from each channel at the same time. These may or may not be important to you and you need to make that decision. The most significant jump in functionality (and in price) occurs when you get into units that will record 4 tracks simultaneously as opposed to 2. I recommend you get one that will do 4. As with most things, when you move up to a better unit for a certain feature, you may end up paying for some other features that you might not need. If you are a beginner, don't get too caught up in the features offered and concentrate on getting a good piece within your price range. When you talk about adding tracks, I'm assuming you're talking about bouncing, and yes, most units will do this. By the way, what is the significance of the name "Torfinn"?

Mark
 
MGS

Torfinn is my name in the SCA, a medieval history organization. My persona is a 12th century Norse/Irish Celt. The full name is:

Torfinn Mac an Bhreitheamhan

I put it in my signature but it does not show up. :(

[Edited by Torfinn on 08-11-2000 at 13:28]
 
If you're looking for a great 4 track cassette recorder, you can't go wrong with the Tascam 424MKIII. I believe it's still being reguarded as the best 4 track cassette recorder. I just recently sold mine (upgrading to an 8 track cassette), but I used it for a few months and was not disappointed. It's a great unit...does 4 tracks at once, etc. etc. And you're lucky, they recently went down from $480 to $400 new. I would highly recommend taking a look at this one. By the way, if you want to know what unit I'm upgrading to, I'm getting the Tascam 688. From everything I hear, it's an amazing unit, a "pro level" cassette recorder...it once retailed for over $3000 I hear. You can get them used (they no longer make them) for around $600 on ebay. It has 20 inputs, allows you to record 8 tracks at once...it's loaded. But I also have heard it's a very complicated thing to get used to, i.e. the signals have to be digitally routed before you record and stuff. Sounds fun eh!?
 
Drum Machine

As far as drum machines go,I think you can't go wrong with one of the older Roland units on the used market like the R-8 or the R-70.You can find 'em cheap and they have really good sounds in 'em,but they are kind of complicated to use all the many features they have.You need to know that with cassette multitracks,you need to leave a track (or two if you want stereo)open to bounce your other tracks to,so with a 4 track that can cramp your style pretty fast.One solution to this problem is to record your first 4 tracks,then mix them down to a minidisc or CD recorder and record the mix back into your 4 track,but this takes more time obviously than just having an 8 track in the first place.
 
Torfinn, I don't know about tape units, but I know that EQ can sometimes cause problems. I can vouch that it is warmer, but it takes practice to harness the sound and make it do what you want. If you're wanting to record multiple sources(more than two), the cost goes up. My inital recording setup is at about $1,000. That doesn't include microphones. I use a Korg D8, which I have to say, works well for me as a demo maker. I've even been able to push it to do things that it was intended for. It has 8 tracks, two of which are a stereo track, a metronome with a lot of drum patterns, an internal effects processor, and outputs that will hook up to just about any piece of equipment.

The drawback that I can name are:
The EQ is two lousy bands(you'd just have to make sure that you have a good sound going in).
You can only record two inputs at a time.
And it does lack the warmth of some analog units.

To solve the multiple input problem I use an 8 channel mixer and print to the stereo track or two tracks on the multi-track.

If you did want to add tracks, digital allows one to retain sound quality when ping-ponging tracks, where a lot of tape units can lose quality and gain noise. The big deal is, cassette tape boosts lower frequencies and cuts highs. One has to know his EQ to compensate for that.

For best results, you're gonna need a decent direct box for your bass. I would definitely check in the bass direct box that sansamp puts out. It's really nice. It's even got a drive level on it. That will really get that rock bass sound.

Get a large diphragm condenser for your vocals.
An SM-57 might do it for recording you bass amp as well as running it direct. You don't have to record the amp but it can be nice.

Hope this info helps.
 
Torfinn, you really have got us all beat!

I didn't know classic rock went back to 12th Century Norse/Irish Celts, I thought it kinda disappeared once you got back to Gerry and the Pacemakers.

;)

Give my regards to Turlough O'Carolan.

Way to go!

foo
 
Foo

When I get time for it I am also trying to learn the Irish folk harp. It is said that a good harper can make you laugh, can make you cry and can put you to sleep. :D
 
Torfin, I'm a bass player and fellow Irishman (for what it's worth) and here's my two cents.
Tascam's 414mkII is a great 4-track for the price. Just bought one at Daddy's here in CT. for 280$. For mastering and bouncing my low cost solution is mini-disc (just picked up a Sony MZ-R70 with USB cable for around $250). Another advantage of the MD is it's a great for live recording (stereo-74 min., mono-148 min.). Borrow some outboard effects. Rock On !!
 
G'day Torfinn

I have to agree with Prophet, Korg D8 is a great, all in one machine.
I disagree though with his comment on the EQ.! Yes the unit does have just a high & low band ajustment for each channel on the front of the machine, but it also has 2 channel parametric EQ as one of it's fully editable & save-able 24 bit digital internal effects! as well as reverbs, compression, AMP SIMULATORS!, chorus, echo's, etc...
I'm a bass player/guitarist myself & I love my Korg!

But shop around & ask heaps of people heaps of questions & find whats best for YOU.
Rock on.

Macca,
Adelaide, South Australia
 
Macca, I'm glad I found someone who can appreciate this fine machine as much as I do.

The four band EQ in the effects unit can't be adjusted for individual tracks unless you record the effect with your signal. After that your final and adjustable EQ is that on the D8's mixer. That's the only things that bums me about it. I'm a control freak. Of course, you could put the effects send up on each channel and EQ the mix as a whole...

By the way, Macca, have you any interest in the Korg D16?
 
Prophet

Sure, the D16 sounds great, but to be honest I just don't know that I would use all the features; and besides, you should see the price in Australian dollars!!!

Macca.
 
Analog is out. Buy a bigger hard drive.

Analog = rewind, fast forward, rewind, fast forward, rewind = much wasted time = frustration

For the price of the cheapest 4-track you can buy a 20GB hard drive and get a lot more mileage out of it. Buy a new hard drive and some digital multitracking software like n-track. Click, cut, and paste your way to MP3 heaven. It's not the 70's or 80's anymore. There is no place for analog in the digital revolution.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top