Where to start?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Laura C
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Laura C

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Hello to all of you home recording veterans! I am hopelessly naive about digital recording equipment and have not had much success researching the topic on the Internet. I don't trust most of what I've been able to find because the information seems like slick marketing rather than unbiased comparisons of products.
In addition, I haven't found much information comparing the low end products with the high end products (bells and whistles, etc...)

Here is what I need: A semi-decent low end digital recorder with multi track capacity so that I can 1) record demos as I write songs and 2) generate work recordings for musicians who may be playing with me at a certain gig.

I am NOT thinking that I'll record a definitive CD with this equipment -- it will be more for utilitarian purposes -- but I would like it to be decent enough that I feel good about the quality. Reverb/effects would be nice, and the ability to import the files to my PC would be important (I suppose that's how I would burn a CD?) Do any of you think the Fostex MR-8 is the way to go? What else can I get for under $500?

Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie :-)
Laura C
 
If you are going to buy a portable recorder (like the MR-8 for instance), the first thing you need to look at is how many tracks it will record simultaneously. Some will record 2 tracks simult., some 4, 8. Consider how you will be recording.
 
Yeah, if you don't think you'll have to record more than two tracks at once, I'd definitely give my vote to the MR-8. I've been using one for a few months now, and sending tracks to the computer for editing, or even just for making MP3s is really, really easy.

It's most obvious limitations are a) that you can only record two tracks at once (but you'll have to pay a lot more to get any more than that anyway), and b) the supplied memory card doesn't hold that much music. But once you learn how to keep the card free of old takes (which, for some reason, are saved and take up space), it's really not a problem -- especially if you're going to dump everything onto your computer anyway.

You can pick up the MR-8 for $300, which would leave you $200 to pick up a microphone or two, and maybe some headphones and cables and whatnot.

I'm sure you'll get some more opinions, so good luck sorting through everything.
 
If you already have a PC, your best bet is to use it for recording. That's what the overwhelming majority of us do.

Here's one approach for a very decent demo studio:

Software (N-Tracks, or other entry level sequencer) $50
Sound Card (M-Audio Audiophile) $150
Preamp (M-Audio DMP3 2 channels) $150
Microphones:
(Marshall MXL603s or Oktava MC012) $70
(Studio Projects B1 or Marshall v67) $80
Monitors (M-Audio BX-5) $300

Total: $800

It's a little more than you wanted, but you can always monitor with a cheapie stereo and speakers (like I did) for starters. You probably have some old stuff lying around or know some friends who do (don't pay more than $25 - $50), and that saves you $250 for beginners. Also, I think there is a free version of N-Track, and there's always Protools free (you can start with one of these). That's another savings of $50. Now you have your total close to your $500 target.

I have used most of the equipment I have recommended and feel it is very high quality for the price, and a great bang-for-the-buck.
 
As far as I know I'll only need to record two tracks at once -- my guitar and my voice. But after I lay those down (simultaneously) will I still be able to add tracks to that recording (i.e. layering harmonies?)

Does the Fostex MR8 come with the necessary cables to transfer files from the recorder to the computer? Will I need additional software to edit/convert the files into an MP3 format?

Sorry for asking what might be considered obvious questions, I just really don't know!

Thanks again for the replies.

Laura C
 
As a songwriter and demo producer I wouldn't spend my money on one of these little recorders unless I needed something to take on the road to capture someone's "scratch" demo. IMO these are barely a step above the old 4-track recorders as far as audio quality and versatility.
 
All you'll need to transfer from the MR-8 to the computer is a USB cable. It's actually not included, but if I'm not mistaken, you can get one for about $10 or so....or you could just use one from some other computer peripheral (printer, scanner, etc) like I do.

And to answer your other question, yes, you'll definitely be able to add harmonies or other additional tracks on top of your original vocal and acoustic tracks.

The computer route definitely seems to be favored around here, so you might want to think about that too. The main reason I picked up the MR-8 is that portability was really important to me, and obviously you can't go carrying around a desktop computer. There's also the fact that recording music is pretty hard on a computer, and since I work from home and only have one, I didn't want to put any unnecessary strain on it.

Again, good luck.
 
Great info from everyone... these are things I could not have thought through on my own. I am very open to using my PC to record, but I am also very intimdated. I'm not a technological idiot but I am inexperienced enough to have to ask for help in sorting through it all. Here is the system I have:

Pentium 4
1800 mhz processor
1,048,116 KB of Ram
Windows 2000

Someone posted a concern about over-taxing their sole PC. I'm thinking that this system will support the weight of recording. What do you think?

Also, I really appreciate the list of "entry level" pc recording gear. But how will I figure out how to hook it all up and make sure it's working together. Is there help for that on this forum? Where do people learn how to do that? Maybe there are some good reading resources I haven't found yet!

Thanks.
Laura C
 
Do not be intimidated by the prospect of using a computer to record. There is a learning curve, and sometimes it can get frustrating setting everything up, getting it to work, learning the software, etc. But most of us do it that way, so it can't be that difficult.

I started recording on a computer that was about 1/10 as powerful as yours (Celeron 333) and had no problems. Your computer will kick butt.

You can get all of your questions answered on this bbs. If you have computer issues (soundcard, hookups, etc.) post in the Computer forum. The Newbie forum is a great place to post basic questions.

Also, if you use the Search function at the top of the page, you can find tons of information about just about any topic you can think of because it has probably been covered many, many times. I really think the Search function is a GREAT tool. Spend some time using it and you will answer many of your own questions.
 
Thanks for the encouragement... I think I will start heading in that direction and just cry for help when I hit a snag!

There's a newbie forum? Oops. Perhaps that's where I should've started! Thanks to all of you who have replied. I really appreciate your help.
 
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