SIMPLE home recording medium needed

[Mike Gug]

I've tried a Tascam 4-track recorder. Hated the "bouncing" and wasn't even aware of the need for "mix down". Imagine my surprise!

 

Anyway, I want to get ideas onto CD. I'm big on instant inspiration (ie. I can't sit down with a set time and say, "OK, time to create"), so I'm leaning toward the Digitech GNX3. Sounds like a good product for what I need.

 

Any thoughts or other methods of doing this? Maybe a tape recorder (for instant inspiration) and Cakewalk Home Studio (for documentation of greatness )?

 

Also, I'd like to mic a drum set. Does that rule out the GNX3?

[John Sayers]

Here you go

[Base]

We were discussing (briefly) the merits of Zooms PS-02 & 04 in THIS THREAD , but I don't know if they will really be what you are looking for. They are great little toys but am not sure it's quite what you are looking for. Do a google and check out the specs tho.....

[kylen]

hehe Psy...

 

For instant inspiration I have a Sony MD with a stereo electret mic plugged in - ready to go at the click of a single button. It hears whatever I put out in the room and is pretty clean - a lot cleaner than the cassette I used to use !

 

Anyway the MD will remeber songs longer than I can when they're in the 'castle made of sand' stage...

[Philip OKeefe]

Mike, a simple MD or DAT deck will be fine for those "grab it while the inspiration is hot" moments, but you're not going to be able to do multitrack with that. While there are a bunch of standalone and computer solutions available, many of them are limited to just two tracks of recording at once, or have limited inputs. I was going to suggest one of the new Tascam 8 track standalone recorders, but again, they can only record two tracks at once, so they're not going to be of much use for doing live drums.

 

When it comes to live drums, the amount of mics you want to use on the kit, as well as the amount of other source(s) you want to record simultaneously (such as a drum kit, rhythm guitar, bass and scratch vocal performed simultaneously) will determine how many inputs and simultaneously recordable tracks you're going to need. You can get good drum recordings in a good room with as few as three mics (one kick, stereo overheads), or four mics (add a snare mic), or you may want to go all out and get enough inputs to mic the whole kit - and that can be as elaborate as you want to get. I've seen guys mic top and bottom of snare drums and toms, overheads, spot mics on individual cymbals, overhead mics, two mics on kick, room mics, etc... that can add up pertty fast - and IMO, it's usually overkill - especially for a "home" recording. I normally use about 8-9 mics on a 5 pc drum kit. Sometimes a couple more, but that usually covers everything I need. Two on kick, one on snare and each of the toms, two overhead and occasionally a hi hat mic - although I usually get plenty of hat in the overheads, I frequently mic it too - "just in case".

 

Do you have a decent computer? What are the specs on it? What sort of a budget are you working with? That information will help us give you better suggestions that will be more appropriate to your needs.

[KenElevenShadows]

For really quick, a boom box or an MD recorder or a cassette deck with a little mini-mixer feeding it...

 

For quick multi-track things, maybe one of those small Zoom digital things. Make sure it's easy and quick to use.

 

No one does this anymore, but if you want quick, decent-sounding multi-track that's all set up and ready to go, consider analog. Something like a Tascam 388 r-t-r machine with built-in board (I don't think it has phantom power, though, so you still have to use outboard something-or-other).

 

I have an Akai MG1214 12-track analog recorder/mixer that I still sometimes track on, although I am using Pro Tools more and more. But for ease of setup, it doesn't get a whole lot quicker than one of these things. Just plug in the mics, hit record, and go. No bouncing, no goofy stuff. 12 channels, 12 mic preamps. Easy. Same thing with the Tascam.

[Mike Gug]

Phil, I'm looking to spend $200 or so, plus mics. Now,... the drum set is crap and the drummer is 12 years old. Good for 12 years old, but he's still 12. I just want to 1) introduce my boys to recording and 2) get something of mine on CD without someone hearing it and thinking, "The recording sounds like crap!"

 

Here's where I'm leaning. The GNX3 is out. Looks like software for recording and a tape deck for instant inspiration. My computer has a good amount of memory, as I recall. It's a Dell and I spent $499 (a good sale) on it a year ago. I'm not a computer guy, by a long shot. User-friendly software doesn't scare me.

 

How do I get the mic/guitar signal into the computer?

 

John, thanks. That link was a HUGE help. I'm sending you a psychic image of one finger. Can you see which one it is? Just kidding.

 

Ah, there it is...

[Barandine Vondenger]

Originally posted by Mike Gug:

Phil, I'm looking to spend $200 or so, plus mics. Now,... the drum set is crap and the drummer is 12 years old. Good for 12 years old, but he's still 12. I just want to 1) introduce my boys to recording and 2) get something of mine on CD without someone hearing it and thinking, "The recording sounds like crap!"

 

Here's where I'm leaning. The GNX3 is out. Looks like software for recording and a tape deck for instant inspiration. My computer has a good amount of memory, as I recall. It's a Dell and I spent $499 (a good sale) on it a year ago. I'm not a computer guy, by a long shot. User-friendly software doesn't scare me.

 

How do I get the mic/guitar signal into the computer?

get a decent cheap condenser mic and a cheap four track and maybe N-TRACK or cake walk and some free vst plug ins, a couple of patch cords and a decent vocal mic.

you'll need a decent sound card. check it out till you know about yours, how to turn the mic on and so forth.. .

Condenser mic the drums and your amp and run a seperate in for vocals into the four track set to STEREO and "paused" but with record and play set ON as well. of course you'll wish to test record for best mic placement.. Run this signal into your compy and record into your studio program. edit as needed.

crude but effective limiter and preamp from the four track signal.

[Mike Gug]

get a decent cheap condenser mic and a cheap four track and maybe N-TRACK or cake walk and some free vst plug ins, a couple of patch cords and a decent vocal mic.

you'll need a decent sound card. check it out till you know about yours, how to turn the mic on and so forth.. .

Condenser mic the drums and your amp and run a seperate in for vocals into the four track set to STEREO and "paused" but with record and play set ON as well. of course you'll wish to test record for best mic placement.. Run this signal into your compy and record into your studio program. edit as needed.

crude but effective limiter and preamp from the four track signal.

THANKS! This sounds like the info I'm looking for. Three questions:

 

1) What type of 4 track? (Please be brand/model specific) Can't do the analog with mix down. Too many steps and too much cost.

 

2) What is a VST plug in? (Please be brand/model specific)

 

3) What is a limiter and preamp? (Please be brand/model specific)

[Barandine Vondenger]

Originally posted by Mike Gug:

get a decent cheap condenser mic and a cheap four track and maybe N-TRACK or cake walk and some free vst plug ins, a couple of patch cords and a decent vocal mic.

you'll need a decent sound card. check it out till you know about yours, how to turn the mic on and so forth.. .

Condenser mic the drums and your amp and run a seperate in for vocals into the four track set to STEREO and "paused" but with record and play set ON as well. of course you'll wish to test record for best mic placement.. Run this signal into your compy and record into your studio program. edit as needed.

crude but effective limiter and preamp from the four track signal.

THANKS! This sounds like the info I'm looking for. Three questions:

 

1) What type of 4 track? (Please be brand/model specific) Can't do the analog with mix down. Too many steps and too much cost.

 

2) What is a VST plug in? (Please be brand/model specific)

 

3) What is a limiter and preamp? (Please be brand/model specific)

4TRACK: any one will do just google it and look at a few. (pawnshops)I have two cheap ones BUT they have TWO quarter inch inputs as well as the ability to record two tracks at once and split the two signals onto two seperate tracks.

 

VST PLUG INS: again GOOGLE your query and look at some FREE VST PLUG INS. They are things like compressors and reverbs and editing programs. I got fifty or so all free.

 

LIMITER and PREAMP: again google your query but, simply put; I think a LIMITER stops the mean old FUZZY WUZZYS or brings down distortion levels and a preamp brings mics up to line levels.

 

I can use my FOSTEX 4 track to dampen the signal from my amp and boost the signal from my vocal mic.

 

Recording takes a LOT of homework before you even get started with hardware.

I have three studio programs and I use all three for recording.

I have a 7200 rpm hd

750 processor

SB value sounde card

384 mb of RAM

and I have BARELY the stuff needed to keep from popping and clicking and dropping out while recording.

I'm unable to use more than a few effects at once and mostly record dry and add ambience later.

Goode lucke!

[deanmass]

My local Radio Shack has mini disc recorders on sale (clearance) for $79.99. It is not on their web site, but a bit of scrounging might be fruitful.

[Mike Gug]

If they are the ones that are the size of a cell phone, I think that might be TOO simple. I stopped by MY RS, and that's all they had.

[Barandine Vondenger]

Originally posted by Mike Gug:

If they are the ones that are the size of a cell phone, I think that might be TOO simple. I stopped by MY RS, and that's all they had.

I refused to get sucked up into the GAS syndrome thang. So I went to a pawn shop and BARGINED the cat down for axes, and cabinets and hardware like 4-tracks.

I looked for ones with no lids. they still work. I went to yard sales and found another that I took apart and cleaned the sliders and replaced a belt and it works perfectly. FREE

I looked for cords in cord bins. you know those tangled messes. you'll need a two into one eighth inch jack. I got new ones at radio shack. then I found dozens at flea markets.

I use a two dollar pencil mic for a lot of stuff.. It works well.

If you wish to get an analog sound record onto the tape and transfer the tape signal to your studio program.

I just use a straight signal cause Its still limited or boosted as the case may be by being run through the 4 track.

learn a few tracking tips and tricks and mix down rules and you got one in the can in no time. ..

goode luck