Help w/recording gear....

Howdy all, I am interested in getting started recording at home. I would appreciate any & all comments, suggestions, experiences etc.
I can get around on the computor......but I ain't no whiz kid for sure! I've got around $600 to spend on the hardware(interface) and software. Both need to be really "user friendly". I'm thinking 8 track at least? I dunno......I told you I need help. And I'm assuming the software has mixing/editing capabilities.
So if any of you fellas have a few minutes to enlighted me, I'd appreciate it very much.
WPO
P.S. I'd like to be able to "dub" in instruments to play each one myself.

hey wpo,

might want to check out this site...

http://thehomeproductionstudio.50webs.com/index.html

Good guy and great info.

kc

What kind of computer are you using? Operating system, RAM, etc... That will make a lot of difference in the software and hardware possibilities.

Yeah KCKC.....I just posted a question on your other thread.....weird huh?
WPO

Digi M Box - comes with Pro Tools LE. is a great way to get started.

A big issue is how many inputs your interface has. They usually come in 0, 2, 4, 8, +8. An M-box Micro looks like a flash drive. It has an 1/8th inch output and that's it. However, it lets you run Pro Tools on your computer. This is a very useful thing to have.

You will need to decide how many inputs you need for live recording. You can, of course, over dub.

Hey WPO, Obviously you're going to get a lot of recommendations for using computer software, interfaces and all that. It's the going thing these days but since I'm not a whiz kid either I went the digital recorder route.

It's much like the old tape recorders from back in the day except there's no tape. I have a Tascam Portastudio dp-02 8 track that does a fine job. You can hook it up to a PC to upload tracks or use the on board CD burner to make copies or to rip your music to your PC if you intend to post your music on myspace or somewhere or just to make copies of your stuffwith the PC.

They're cheap, under $400, unlike computer software which is pretty expensive. It also helps to buy the machines to interface with your PC.

But you can do it all on the Tascam. If you have a mic or you can plug in directly. There's all kinds of on board affects. Here's the url for Tascam and if you'd like to hear what all I've done with mine I'll leave my site url also. Good luck. It's all fun no matter what road you go.

http://www.tascam.com/dp-02

http://www.myspace.com/proazza

wpo,

Here's my simple short money recording set up.

guit/mic > art project series preamp > behringer ucontrol202 usb interface > PC 960mgs ram, running xp, Reording with Kristal software.

Kristal is d/l'd free, limited to 16 tracks but is really easy to get going and "over dub" as you had mentioned you'd like to do.

accepts vst's but no midi or vsti's.

Definitely not high end or even med. end but it get's the job done for me!

Good luck!

KC

Thanks to everyone of you guys!
dr.loveask about my computor. HP running Window XP 960 mb RAM @ 2.16 Ghz. I don't know what sound card I have. It does have DVDRW & DVDROM. It is basically an entertainment computor.

KCKCguit/mic > art project series preamp > behringer ucontrol202 usb interface > PC 960mgs ram, running xp, Reording with Kristal software.
Yep.....this sounds pretty straight foward....and looks like my computor is same as yours. Do you just plug straight into the preamp(Tele)? My acoustic is equipped with a Fishman onboard. My bass is acoustic w/pup, but no preamp. Also, I have a Shure 55SH mic which needs phantom pwr. and have been running it thru a TC Helicon GT-X into my acoustic amp.

Randypttt
Tascam Portastudio dp-02 8 track that does a fine job. You can hook it up to a PC to upload tracks or use the on board CD burner to make copies or to rip your music to your PC if you intend to post your music on myspace or somewhere or just to make copies of your stuffwith the PC.
Now this does sound like something even I might be able to do.......ha,ha. Can you edit/mix with it? Or do I need software for that? I'm going to check the website as well as your myspace too....thanks.
Again..My thanks to ALL of you!! Just bear with me a little bit.....I'm sure I'll have more questions.

Hey Randypttt.......I checked out Tascam.....nice! Also noted it is from the TEAC family which I am very familar with from the old reel-to-reel days!! Also checked out your space....I am listening to it right now.......WOW!! Women are Roses & The Journey Begins.....TERRIFIC!! All that thru the DP-02?? I realize your talent going in......but still what comes out is fantastic! Is all that the "onboard" effects or do you have pedals in front of it?
Thanks, WPO

I thought you might like the Tascam. It's more old school and computers are just to glitchy in my opinion.

To be brief, I use my Fender Super Champ that allows you to plug directly into the recorder and I use the overdrive sounds on it. The overdrive sounds on the Tascam don't sound real enough so I don't use those.

But in the 'Acoustic' section there's some nice chorus, delay and other stuff that works well. When you use the affects it allows you to access the onboard limiter that cuts noise considerably.

There's all kinds of EQ on it too. Besides the 2 treb and bass knobs for each channel, you can get into the system and tweak those to get more but you really don't have to. There's more than enough for anything. Lots of reverb options too

I made it easy on myself and got a set of Yamaha electric drums so I wouldn't have to mic the set I had. That's a headache. I don't own enough good mics for that.

Otherwise, everything is done on the machine; mixing, editing, mastering, burning etc. You probably found that out when you looked at the Tascam site.

Mine's a few years old so what I said about the affects may not hold true. They may have upgraded them and be great.

I'd be happy to field any questions you have about the process anytime.

So good luck and many thanks for listening. Glad you enjoyed the music. I always put my url up here but I never get much feedback. Any and all is appreciated. I'm my only critic.

http://www.myspace.com/proazza

Well I will give my 2 cents. You sound just like me a couple years ago looking for a simple affordable method to do home recording just for fun nothing to serious. I started with a Boss BR8 cost about $450. records on a Zip drive Soon to find out not the best system cant hold much data. The biggest problem was the small screen just a pain in the ass. Well I’m not real up on the stand alone unites but I would check into Drive space, is the screen size going to be a factor.
Well now I did exactly what Telesavalis suggest. Digi M-box Pro tools bought a package deal fro GC. The one big advantage to a computer based system ( besides the big screen) there is no limit to what you can do . There are thousand of effects ( plug-ins) to be used , then there’s the Midi instruments with a cheap $100 dollar key board midi controller you have anything from a dog fart to symphony to add in your recording and then the drum programs every one needs a drummer. Of coarse all the extras cost but there are deals to be had and some free down loads especially demo trials. No matter what when it’s music related there’s always just one more thing you need
Just like you I was after just some simple recordings to add my blistering lead riffs to and that lead to whole new avenue of recording, hell I might even finish a song and post it some day. Yeah there is a learning curve buy a book to go with your program, but it gets easier as you go and fun factor is way up there.
Anyway my long 2 cents, just remember whatever you decide have fun

I thought you might like the Tascam. It's more old school and computers are just to glitchy in my opinion.

To be brief, I use my Fender Super Champ that allows you to plug directly into the recorder and I use the overdrive sounds on it. The overdrive sounds on the Tascam don't sound real enough so I don't use those.

But in the 'Acoustic' section there's some nice chorus, delay and other stuff that works well. When you use the affects it allows you to access the onboard limiter that cuts noise considerably.

There's all kinds of EQ on it too. Besides the 2 treb and bass knobs for each channel, you can get into the system and tweak those to get more but you really don't have to. There's more than enough for anything. Lots of reverb options too

I made it easy on myself and got a set of Yamaha electric drums so I wouldn't have to mic the set I had. That's a headache. I don't own enough good mics for that.

Otherwise, everything is done on the machine; mixing, editing, mastering, burning etc. You probably found that out when you looked at the Tascam site.

Mine's a few years old so what I said about the affects may not hold true. They may have upgraded them and be great.

I'd be happy to field any questions you have about the process anytime.

So good luck and many thanks for listening. Glad you enjoyed the music. I always put my url up here but I never get much feedback. Any and all is appreciated. I'm my only critic.

http://www.myspace.com/proazza

Hey many thanks to you Randypttt.........I have the Super Champ XD....I luv that little amp.......you're right, lotsa overdrive and has a really nice clean channel too. Yep, I think I'm gonna get the TASCAM, like you said, kinda old school........and that's me for sure! I have just a few pedals, kinda basic stuff........a compressor of course,a Script Phase 90 for my Waylon stuff, volume pedal and a Boss RC-2 looper which has drums.....do ya think that will record, the drums from the looper I mean?
I can always ease into the computor stuff a little bit along.
I really appreciate your help and input. I'll be taking you up on fielding those questions.......heh,heh.
Thanks again........WPO

Well I will give my 2 cents. You sound just like me a couple years ago looking for a simple affordable method to do home recording just for fun nothing to serious. I started with a Boss BR8 cost about $450. records on a Zip drive Soon to find out not the best system cant hold much data. The biggest problem was the small screen just a pain in the ass. Well I’m not real up on the stand alone unites but I would check into Drive space, is the screen size going to be a factor.
Well now I did exactly what Telesavalis suggest. Digi M-box Pro tools bought a package deal fro GC. The one big advantage to a computer based system ( besides the big screen) there is no limit to what you can do . There are thousand of effects ( plug-ins) to be used , then there’s the Midi instruments with a cheap $100 dollar key board midi controller you have anything from a dog fart to symphony to add in your recording and then the drum programs every one needs a drummer. Of coarse all the extras cost but there are deals to be had and some free down loads especially demo trials. No matter what when it’s music related there’s always just one more thing you need
Just like you I was after just some simple recordings to add my blistering lead riffs to and that lead to whole new avenue of recording, hell I might even finish a song and post it some day. Yeah there is a learning curve buy a book to go with your program, but it gets easier as you go and fun factor is way up there.
Anyway my long 2 cents, just remember whatever you decide have fun

Hey thanks for the input SacDAve!! There are times when 2 cents could get a fella out of a real bind.....heh,heh!
Yeah.......I have looked at the Digi M Box package......as a matter of fact that was the first thing that got me to contemplating "home recording". And I may well wind up getting that system.....but just not right now. I've read countless reviews on that product and 99% say they are fantastic but.......the learning curve for the software is "steep". So I think my best approach is to go with the TASCAM DP-20 and after some time with it, jump onto the stuff like the Digi M Box. Anyway, it's really just something to keep "the ol' man outa trouble".
WPO

[QUOTE=a Boss RC-2 looper which has drums.....do ya think that will record, the drums from the looper I mean?
[/QUOTE]

I don't have any experience with the Boss Looper but doesn't sound like it should be a problem. Maybe I'll do a little digging. ( I just did some. If it can be heard, it can be recorded, no problem)
You can message me here privately if you like or on myspace if you have an account. This thread might disappear. But either way...whatever you need just ask

Randy

ps. I really love my XD too. Great amp for anything!
http://www.myspace.com/proazza

Just for the record, WPO and I corresponded via PM/email earlier today ... I counseled against the standalone for the reasons I've stated on this forum many times, but everybody's got to walk their own path.

WPO, I'm still not clear on your platform, but evidently it's Windows, or else you'd be cruisin' in Garageband today. :wink:

Just for the record, WPO and I corresponded via PM/email earlier today ... I counseled against the standalone for the reasons I've stated on this forum many times, but everybody's got to walk their own path.

WPO, I'm still not clear on your platform, but evidently it's Windows, or else you'd be cruisin' in Garageband today. :wink:

Hey Woodman........I got your PM and I'll be replying to you on that. I appreciate you input and sharing knowledge. It's all the guys like you and Randypttt, KCKC.......and the list goes on, that make this such a great forum!
BTW, I am running Windows XP.

Thanks again everyone and I will be posting along as my recording adventure begins.................
WPO

well, my take, the thing about it is this, if you are starting to record for the first time I would get a small stand-alone, 8 tracker such as one of the Tascams. Consider it a learning tool for obvious reasons. even if it is for 6 months.

Everyone here, ( well most ) me included, probably started on some small sort of 2 track or 4 track and got the process down, understood what we were doing, sort of, or at least enough to record some music on a few tracks then ran out to the living room to play it for our family.


I started on a Mono Pentron and worked my way up to a Sony 2 Track and somehow in my young age figured out how to multi track on that Sony 2 track. Today I have 2 versions of Cakewalk Sonar running on an XP machine , a 16 track Yamaha workstation and a few various smaller workstations hidden away somewhere but the point is I am choosing the recodrding tool based on past exposure and experiences. Recording packages are TOOLS, whether they be PC based or Workstations. Each have merrits, pro's and cons, but the process is the same and it must be understood or there will be no "fun" in recording, you will be learning how to get a good sound and learning how to use the gear regardless of price or features.

Is the purpose of the recorder to play music so you can play with the knobs or to learn enough about the knobs to record you playing the music ?

Once the process is understood then an upgrade is the next likely scenario, either to a PC based system or a more eloborate workstation. I don't say use one platform of the other , I say start simple, get into a groove and take it from there.

Workstations such as Boss or Tascam will get you recording tracks before you take the plastic off the operators manual, PC based systems require an additional mindset which comes from a PC user knowledge base. It's all good but different.

My take for starting from scratch, start simple, get a feel for what it is you are going to do, have some fun, get the process down then grow INTO a more elborate system.

t

PS..A local friend called me once and told me he just came home from GC with about $4000 worth of stuff so he could record his own CD. He had NO previous recording exposure or experience. I think, I could be wrong, but I think about 6 months later he traded all the stuff for a trailer.

www.tprior.com

I think about 6 months later he traded all the stuff for a trailer.

Well, at least it wasn't a bass boat! :lol:

Even though I don't personally care for the standalone units, it's important to remember that the gear is incidental — the real nitty-gritty is learning to get good tracks. That will take you a lot further than, for instance, Tony's pal got with his $4000 worth of gear.

T Prior "My take for starting from scratch, start simple, get a feel for what it is you are going to do, have some fun, get the process down then grow INTO a more elborate system."

Yeah T.....that's my intent. With ZERO recording experince, I want to get a handle on what's involved in turning out a recording with multiple trax, starting with 2, 4, 6 etc. and working with editing features and the mix down. And after a period of time and a better understanding of how all this works, then move(slowly) to upgraded gear/software. I want to learn about this stuff for sure but, if I can't enjoy it at the same time.......then what's the point. I already have a job!
Many thanks again to you all.
WPO

WPO, sounds like you WILL have fun...the 1st digital 8 tracker I bought was a used Boss BR8, maybe 7 or 8 years ago, I'm guessing, it was an upgrade from a 4 track cassette unit that I also still have around here somewhere. I obviously brought forward many years of experience and exposure and this is what happened..truth...

I took it out of the box, plugged the guitar in, and started recoding on track 1 while figuring out the RECORD button vs the playback per track. About 10 minutes later I had 4 or 5 tracks down and actually wrote a short instrumental ! Now, mind you, it was not a million seller, but by the 4th track it was not soundin' all that bad. and I learned what I did incorrectly on the 1st track. Then I put down the guitar and started looking at the manual to find out where some of the features were hidden in the menu's...This is typical of BOSS products. Easy, fast....Then I upgraded to a hi end Yamaha OS2 based system and NEEDED to read the manual to find out how to turn it on( almost) ....Then I upgraded to PC based Cakewalk, I like it, but sometimes I think there are just way too many options and features and I end up getting lost in the "hi tech" of it all....I end up being a tekky rather than a player...but, as I said earlier, it's all good... My major complaint with the PC based system is not actually the basics of recording but rather the choices in the process. Before the PC system I found a tone, liked it, made mild changes and ran with it...now with the addition of virtual processors, Guitar amp simulators, a few zillion keyboard simulators, drum programmers etc...I find myself going delirious with the choices , "I can make it better"...I can use that Deluxe tone or that Twin tone, or the AC30 tone or the...I play with the choices..I am engineering rather than playing....where-as before it was already defined and recorded. There's nothing wrong with the concept other than I spend gobs of time and sometimes to "NO" end...:oops:


Woody, I have a friend who had a Bass Boat and he would have surely traded for a recording set-up given the option at the time....at one point I think he would have traded for my Tascam 4 track Cassette player !

t

I took it out of the box, plugged the guitar in, and started recoding on track 1 while figuring out the RECORD button vs the playback per track. About 10 minutes later I had 4 or 5 tracks down and actually wrote a short instrumental ! Now, mind you, it was not a million seller, but by the 4th track it was not soundin' all that bad. and I learned what I did incorrectly on the 1st track. Then I put down the guitar and started looking at the manual to find out where some of the features were hidden in the menu's...This is typical of BOSS products. Easy, fast....Then I upgraded to a hi end Yamaha OS2 based system and NEEDED to read the manual to find out how to turn it on( almost) ....Then I upgraded to PC based Cakewalk, I like it, but sometimes I think there are just way too many options and features and I end up getting lost in the "hi tech" of it all....I end up being a tekky rather than a player...but, as I said earlier, it's all good... My major complaint with the PC based system is not actually the basics of recording but rather the choices in the process. Before the PC system I found a tone, liked it, made mild changes and ran with it...now with the addition of virtual processors, Guitar amp simulators, a few zillion keyboard simulators, drum programmers etc...I find myself going delirious with the choices , "I can make it better"...I can use that Deluxe tone or that Twin tone, or the AC30 tone or the...I play with the choices..I am engineering rather than playing....where-as before it was already defined and recorded. There's nothing wrong with the concept other than I spend gobs of time and sometimes to "NO" end...:oops:


“I find myself going delirious with the choices” Perfectly said. I jus bought Guitar Rig 4 Pro from Native instruments web sight. (Not in stores) I would say 90% of presets suck like most pre sets but are a great stating place to build your own pre set. I also build my own from the component and amp choices. I also started with BR8 still have it great little machine. Recording on a PC now that I’m getting a good understanding /knowledge of it’s real potential is getting easier whole lot les frustrating things are just clicking and end results are improving. I also have EZ drummer and just bought NI Kore electronic experience midi sounds. Like any of this stuff it’s always more cow bell.