Want advice on cheap ways to hear self

[dohhhhh6]

Alright, I've heard a bajillion things about how it generally helps when you record yourself playing(a tape recorder works I hear) and critique your playing from the "outsider" point of view.

 

Well, I've decided to jump on the bandwagon! Problem is, I don't have a tape recorder! I asked both pappa and mama bear, and it looks like neither helped me out a bit.

 

So, I was wondering, what are some cheap ways to record and hear one's self? I'm thinking a trip to Walmart or somewhere along that lines is in place (if I can find the time) or maybe even Sam's club?

 

What can I say? I just want to shake my tailfeather to my own grooves . So help a brotha out!

[Connie Z]

Hi LadY!

 

In my limited experience, I would say that if you could get your hands on someone's old 4-track tape machine, preferably for free or really cheap, you would be pleased. (Everyone is buying digital now, which is why they all have the old "antiquated" tape machines hanging around.)

 

The reason I say 4-track, is because immediately when you start recording, you will want the ability to put vocals on one track and guitar or keyboards on another. And of course BASS on its own AWESOME track.

 

With a 4 track you can record and then just listen to what you've done, or mix it to another tape or a CD to keep for posterity.

 

I have two 4 tracks and I just did some recording today on one of them. It was a kick, because I played my piano, which is totally sharp, because it's not finished being tuned yet, so I had to tune my bass to each of the main root notes that I was using. But, the song actually came out pretty good, except for the fact that I didn't use a click track/metronome and the timing SUCKS. But all in all, it's a great learning tool.

 

I use a Tascam Porta II. (both of the ones I have are the same.) I just searched Ebay for "tascam porta" and saw a bunch for sale for all kinds of different prices. Bidding was anywhere from $19 and up. I would imagine you could easily get one for about $40 or $50 used. (or less. One of mine was given to me by a musician who just was never going to use it anymore. The other I paid $75 for two years ago.)

 

Note: There will be additional expense though of the cables you will need to connect to your stereo system or computer to send the music to. And you'll probably want to buy the higher quality tapes that are made for this type of recording. But from what I understand, if the recording is not critical, you can use any audio cassette tape. I am using Radio Shack HD110 high definition audio cassette tapes, but I don't know how much they cost, because they were given to me with the recorder.

 

... connie z

[Dan South]

Check out the Korg PXR4 .

 

It even runs on batteries for portability (or A/C).

[jeremy c]

I've seen cassette recorders at Walgreen for $10.

 

Maybe mommy or daddy will give you the money for Christmas. Maybe it's time to hit up grandma or grandpa.

 

Or how about working for a few hours making lattes and buying it yourself?

[_Sweet Willie_]

Get up offa that thing and rake some leaves this fall to make a little quick cash.

 

Go to Walmart and buy a couple of blank cassettes and a cassette player/recorder. This is your most inexpensive option, and it will work just fine.

 

Peace.

[getz out]

You crazy, digital kids. No cassette recorder? I'm assuming you never owned a record, either.

 

Well, mostly likely you have a computer. I'm not Columbo, but based on the fact that you're posting here leads me to believe that.

 

Anyhow, this computer most likely has a sound card. That sound card most likely has a microphone line in. Your bass most likely has an output. You can most likely connect the two and use a software tracker to record yourself playing.

 

Connecting the two involves a couple of things.

 

You most likely will need a 1/4" female to 1/8" male adapter (mono).

 

If you have an active bass, you can get away with recording directly into the microphone line. A better option and a necessity for passive instruments is to use some type of preamp.

 

If you have an amplifier, it might have a line out you can use.

 

If not, you could use a microphone to record your amplifed sound.

 

Tracking software is available (including Microsoft's aptly named "Sound Recorder") for free. Check cNet.com or your favorite download site.

 

This should provide a relatively cheap solution (especially since you don't have to buy any media). Scrounge up some cash or get a job.

[Mr. Phil]

Originally posted by Dan South:

Check out the Korg PXR4 .

 

It even runs on batteries for portability (or A/C).

I dont think thats a really reasonable suggestion for someone who just wants to hear what he sounds like and is strapped for cash, now do you? it is $300

 

[dohhhhh6]

Well, I'm not really strapped for cash that bad, but I don't mind paying little to no money .

 

I will be going to Walmart soon (I need new headphones for my cd player), so I'll look at these things you smart people call 4 track recorders.

 

I'll also look into the "directly into the computer" idea, although I'm quite confused as to how I'm going to do it. Could you please help me out? Alright, I have a Crate MX15 (I think that's it) that has a speaker jack out, but the only thing that fits in it is one of those big cables that you use to get the electric signals from your bass to your amp. So I'm extremely skeptical.

 

Anyways, thanks for all the help.

[prophetgtree]

I have a 4 track tascam porta02. It works great for recording different tracks (haha, hence the "4 track" and it gets good sound quality for the price. I got it for $150 which might be stetching it a little on price, but I have found that I have more than got my monies worth out of it. Plus, it is not only good for recording yourself but when (and if) you play with a band, you can get a good feel for what you sound like practicing. Many uses.

 

I'm done selling 4 tracks now...

[dcr]

I always find that pressing my ear hard against the upper horn of the bass works pretty well.

 

(BTW, WalMart will not carry 4-track recorders. They are pieces of recording gear, not consumer electronics.)

[getz out]

If you have the BX15, you can use the headphone out jack as a line out and send it to your soundcard's line in jack.

 

Run a stereo 1/4" jack from your headphone out jack of the amp to a stereo 1/8" jack to the soundcard's line in jack.

 

http://www.stlouismusic.com/downloads/crate/owners_manuals/BX15.PDF

[Dm711]

Hey,

 

I would recommend checking out used MD (mini disk) players on ebay. They do digital recording to mini disk. You might be able to pick up an older model with a decent mic fairly cheap. One thing that caught me was that my Sony MZ-R500 has a line level input only, which does not work too well with only a mic. I found a kit online for a battery powered solid state stereo pre-amp for about $25. It works great, and now I can get great digital quailty recordings of anything worth sticking a mic in front of.

 

Here is a sample. I stuck the mic on a stand about 15 feet in front of a band that I sat in with last month called the Tone Cats...

 

http://208.186.218.193/music/tonecats/080803-SET1/BrownEyedGirl.mp3

 

Good luck,

 

Dm7

[Tom Capasso]

My band is going to try some originals tonight. It's the first time, and the various authors will want to hear what their songs sound like.

 

So I'm bringing my Sony double-tape "boom box" with the condenser mic built in. It cost $60 in 1993 when we bought 2 of them (one for each kid). The kids outgrew them years ago, but I kept them because they can record (and to listen to football games when I'm cleaning the bathrooms some Sundays).

 

If you want to go for something more, that's fine. There are some mini-disk portables with mics, but if you are looking for notes and feel (as opposed to complete tone), get a cheapo tape box with a condenser mic.

 

Tom

[Bytor]

This may be the silliest response, but it may also be the cheapest. You may not be able to RECORD yourself, but, if you have a pair of headphones, put 'em on, and start playing with your left ear against the bass neck. It works best with larger headphones but what the hell, if you held your bass headstock against a wall,(in the middle of a slab of dry wall), your parents/roommates would probably bitch about the noise!

[dohhhhh6]

Alright, I finally found this 1/4 female to 1/8 jack you were talking about. It makes perfect to me how I'd get sound from my combo to my computer, but what program would I use to record this sound and play it back, etc?

[Scoot]

Originally posted by Da LadY In Tha Pink Dress:

Alright, I finally found this 1/4 female to 1/8 jack you were talking about. It makes perfect to me how I'd get sound from my combo to my computer, but what program would I use to record this sound and play it back, etc?

Never done it this way, but wouldn't "Start->All Programs->Accessories->Entertainment->Sound Recorder" work?

[getz out]

Originally posted by Scootdog:

Originally posted by Da LadY In Tha Pink Dress:

Alright, I finally found this 1/4 female to 1/8 jack you were talking about. It makes perfect to me how I'd get sound from my combo to my computer, but what program would I use to record this sound and play it back, etc?

Never done it this way, but wouldn't "Start->All Programs->Accessories->Entertainment->Sound Recorder" work?

Yes indeed, Scootdog.

 

Although limited, Windows Soundrecorder does work. You have numerous options; you can check your favorite download site (Tucows, cNet, etc.) or hop over to the recording forum and do a search.