Needed: Easy home recording...maybe computer based?

TheGoodTexan · August 4th, 2004, 10:20 PM

I want a simple, straight forward, home recording system. Forgive my ignorance as I know almost zero on the subject. I just want to get some songs out of my head, and on to a more permenant format. I have no desire to make master quality productions.

Right now I have no recording gear (except for a few mics and a Palmer direct box). But I've got a pretty cool computer (pc) with lots of space. Should I get some sort of software/hardware combo, and use my computer?

OR...Should I just get a stand alone, desktop unit?

I would like something that has some sort of built in rythym tracks, although I don't really need any sort of guitar amp simulation.

I'm not one to sit and read through manuals....

Thoughts?

Ptrallan01 · August 4th, 2004, 11:34 PM

WWW.PCMUS.COM there will be links to several FREE computer based recording software links. Many people here use AUDACITY which I can't seem to figure out. I use Kristal which some people say was a little difficult. These will give you some idea of what online recording will be like. The only money I spent was the cost of an adapter for my 1/4 inch cables.

I use Kristal to record my thoughts, choir rehearsal and lately sunday morning service using my laptop. It works pretty good for what I want and is easy for me to use. YMMV.

Peter

Lance · August 5th, 2004, 05:44 AM

This may go against other opinions but a simple dedicated digital record will be MUCH easier to use. I messed with PC recording software. You've got to tweak a while to make it work...sound cards are important also. In addition, having to go to the PC to start the record gets annoying. And then there's the hum issue around your monitor. Expect to spend some time with tech support unless you're a computer savvy person.

On the other hand, TDPRI friend Halouis came by once with his Boss BR-8. We plugged in, adjusted the levels and recorded. It was that simple. Then I downloaded via Zip drive to my PC for mixing. Much less fuss and zero muss.

Heck - there's even a BR8 in the garage sale for $300. That's a fair price for these gizmos. Personally, I'd go for one of the new Boss digital recorders. They have amp sims built in as well as drums/bass....it's around $500.

TheGoodTexan · August 5th, 2004, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

This may go against other opinions but a simple dedicated digital record will be MUCH easier to use. I messed with PC recording software. You've got to tweak a while to make it work...sound cards are important also. In addition, having to go to the PC to start the record gets annoying. And then there's the hum issue around your monitor. Expect to spend some time with tech support unless you're a computer savvy person.

On the other hand, TDPRI friend Halouis came by once with his Boss BR-8. We plugged in, adjusted the levels and recorded. It was that simple. Then I downloaded via Zip drive to my PC for mixing. Much less fuss and zero muss.

Heck - there's even a BR8 in the garage sale for $300. That's a fair price for these gizmos. Personally, I'd go for one of the new Boss digital recorders. They have amp sims built in as well as drums/bass....it's around $500.

This was kind of what I'm leaning toward...a stand alone unit...then I can dump it to the computer if I need to.

Any additional feedback on the BR8? I know they've been out a few years now. It seemed more like a toy when I first saw one, but I guess they're legit, as I've heard several good reports. Virtual tracks, right?

Is there a better alternative than the BR8, for just a few dollors more, that would offer more/better options?

Joel Terry · August 5th, 2004, 08:31 AM

..with the new generation of "palm" digital recorders. They're inexpensive; you can dump the data to computer, if need be; some have programmable drum and/or bass tracks, in addition to having four tracks for laying down guitars, vocals, keyboards, what-have-you; and, they make darn good quality recordings.

Here are a few:
[*]ZOOM PS04[*]Korg PXR4[*]BOSS BR532

Just a thought, Bruce; however, if these aren't sufficient for your immediate recording needs, all of these same companies (and others, of course, like Tascam, Fostex, et al.) have very nice intermediate 4-, 8-, and 12-track digital recorders in the $400 - $800 price range from most music stores.

Holla atcha,
Joel

Russinator · August 5th, 2004, 08:40 AM

...uses CF cards I share with my digital camera. They sell for $300 new. Two of my friends were inpressed enough to get their own at good prices. :)

halouis · August 5th, 2004, 08:47 AM

OK. Yeah even with a great computer which you could in the long run do so much more with, I still like hte stand alone units for what you want. still have my Boss BR8 and think its great for what it is. i got it used 2-3 yrs ago so it wasn;t a huge chunk of change.

they best thing is being able late at night just plug directly in, tap tempo a rhythm beat, dial in a "modeled" sound and get my song ideas down FAST. no fuss no muss. seriously. and not wake up anyone. the drums are real basic, but its gets the idea down. Even has a built in tuner. SO yeah it can seem a little toy-like.

I also love its portability. take it to my rehearsal room. to Lance's, go sit on the porch, not a problem. dump tracks down via ZIp to my computer. simple.

when my band did our first demo we used this machine. it was hard doing live drums with, but we got them to their own stereo tracks. My Drummer who is computer illiterate learned the machine super quickly and eventually upgraded to a better system since he is more into the recording process than me. I keep my BR8 because its so great for what it is.

The $300 one in the garage sale is a great price with te extra goodies. If you can find a used newer model that woudl be cool. i think the next generation hasve far better drums.

my $.02

TheGoodTexan · August 5th, 2004, 01:43 PM

Ok, I was just reading up on the BR-864. Seems pretty cool...like it would probably do what I need. I've got a couple of questions, maybe some of you could help me with.

Are there any canned drums in this thing? Just something basic? I don't need anything that extravagant, and I will not sit for hours and program drums.

Can I dump an un-mixed (multi-track) song to a file on my PC, then bring it back in the unmixed form? Or does it have to be a stereo track?

This little thing may actually be what I need. Anybody want to buy a Tele?

....seriously.

halouis · August 5th, 2004, 02:49 PM

GoodTexan. the 864 is the successor the the br8 that i have. never tried one,b ut I am pretty sure it has some good drums in there. The BR8 drums are very basic. the 864 has a lot more going on which shouldbe terrific. WHile I have never used it, the way Boss is, its not gonna be difficult. BOSS gear is made stupid easy.

THats why i love it. dont have to think too much. it just does what i want it to. See if you can demo it somewhere first. best of luck.

Tony · August 5th, 2004, 03:06 PM

a Boss BR-1180 with CD burner for $500.00 on ebay used.

I had never recordered in my life.

Got it working immediately. Super easy.

Mark Davis · August 5th, 2004, 04:31 PM

A good old Tascam 4 track cassette unit is as simple as it gets. You can also plug your guitar right in.

Thats what I'd do that way your in for under $200 and if you decide you dont wanna record anymore you havent lost alot of $$.

TheGoodTexan · August 5th, 2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

A good old Tascam 4 track cassette unit is as simple as it gets. You can also plug your guitar right in.

Thats what I'd do that way your in for under $200 and if you decide you dont wanna record anymore you havent lost alot of $$.

I just don't know anyone that uses cassettes any more. I'd want to be able to give copies to family and friend, and to other band members to learn my original tunes. It's just easier to do it digitally.

Mark Davis · August 5th, 2004, 05:04 PM

You always have to mix down and transfer it to CD so friends can listen. Doesnt matter if your digital or analog still have to get the music in a format where everyone can listen to it.

If every single person you plan on hearing your music has a computer then mp3's work fine but if you want grandpa and grandma to listen better put it on a CD.

emisilly · August 8th, 2004, 04:13 PM

A great choice for lots of reasons....

-they are cheap on ebay. usually around $300. its where
I got mine.
-they record on zip discs, which have tons more memory
than flash cards.
-stupid easy to use.
-excellent effects. very, very good for digital.
-you can burn your stored music onto an outboard cd
source. you can link it to your computer or do what I
did....get one of those home cd recorders (around 100-
140 on ebay) and burn to those. you'll even have a cool
stand alone burner to make multiple copies and make
mix cd's for your car.

overall, a super cheap and simple home studio for under 500 that makes incredible recordings. Check harmony central for reviews. Its a wonderful unit!!!!!

Jason Cornelius · August 8th, 2004, 08:49 PM

If you'll send me an email, I'll give you an honest opinion about my BR-8 vs computer recording, and I can send you some samples if you want.

Thanks!
Jason

jcguitar@hotmail.com

August 4th, 2004, 11:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ptrallan01 Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 532 3 Photos	Go to WWW.PCMUS.COM there will be links to several FREE computer based recording software links. Many people here use AUDACITY which I can't seem to figure out. I use Kristal which some people say was a little difficult. These will give you some idea of what online recording will be like. The only money I spent was the cost of an adapter for my 1/4 inch cables. I use Kristal to record my thoughts, choir rehearsal and lately sunday morning service using my laptop. It works pretty good for what I want and is easy for me to use. YMMV. Peter

August 5th, 2004, 05:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,157	My opinion... This may go against other opinions but a simple dedicated digital record will be MUCH easier to use. I messed with PC recording software. You've got to tweak a while to make it work...sound cards are important also. In addition, having to go to the PC to start the record gets annoying. And then there's the hum issue around your monitor. Expect to spend some time with tech support unless you're a computer savvy person. On the other hand, TDPRI friend Halouis came by once with his Boss BR-8. We plugged in, adjusted the levels and recorded. It was that simple. Then I downloaded via Zip drive to my PC for mixing. Much less fuss and zero muss. Heck - there's even a BR8 in the garage sale for $300. That's a fair price for these gizmos. Personally, I'd go for one of the new Boss digital recorders. They have amp sims built in as well as drums/bass....it's around $500. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

August 5th, 2004, 08:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Joel Terry Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Old Hickory (Nashville), Tennessee, USA Age: 40 Posts: 4,401 17 Photos	Bruce, you might consider going "miniature"... ..with the new generation of "palm" digital recorders. They're inexpensive; you can dump the data to computer, if need be; some have programmable drum and/or bass tracks, in addition to having four tracks for laying down guitars, vocals, keyboards, what-have-you; and, they make darn good quality recordings. Here are a few: []ZOOM PS04[]Korg PXR4[]BOSS BR532* Just a thought, Bruce; however, if these aren't sufficient for your immediate recording needs, all of these same companies (and others, of course, like Tascam, Fostex, et al.) have very nice intermediate 4-, 8-, and 12-track digital recorders in the $400 - $800 price range from most music stores. Holla atcha, Joel __________________ Jesus saves--and He passes the savings on to YOU! ASPCA "Well...."

August 5th, 2004, 08:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Russinator Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 549	Fostex MR-8 ...uses CF cards I share with my digital camera. They sell for $300 new. Two of my friends were inpressed enough to get their own at good prices. :)

August 5th, 2004, 03:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tony Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sacratomato Posts: 826	I just purchased a Boss BR-1180 with CD burner for $500.00 on ebay used. I had never recordered in my life. Got it working immediately. Super easy.

August 5th, 2004, 08:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
halouis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,403 7 Photos	OK. Yeah even with a great computer which you could in the long run do so much more with, I still like hte stand alone units for what you want. still have my Boss BR8 and think its great for what it is. i got it used 2-3 yrs ago so it wasn;t a huge chunk of change. they best thing is being able late at night just plug directly in, tap tempo a rhythm beat, dial in a "modeled" sound and get my song ideas down FAST. no fuss no muss. seriously. and not wake up anyone. the drums are real basic, but its gets the idea down. Even has a built in tuner. SO yeah it can seem a little toy-like. I also love its portability. take it to my rehearsal room. to Lance's, go sit on the porch, not a problem. dump tracks down via ZIp to my computer. simple. when my band did our first demo we used this machine. it was hard doing live drums with, but we got them to their own stereo tracks. My Drummer who is computer illiterate learned the machine super quickly and eventually upgraded to a better system since he is more into the recording process than me. I keep my BR8 because its so great for what it is. The $300 one in the garage sale is a great price with te extra goodies. If you can find a used newer model that woudl be cool. i think the next generation hasve far better drums. my $.02

August 5th, 2004, 02:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
halouis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,403 7 Photos	GoodTexan. the 864 is the successor the the br8 that i have. never tried one,b ut I am pretty sure it has some good drums in there. The BR8 drums are very basic. the 864 has a lot more going on which shouldbe terrific. WHile I have never used it, the way Boss is, its not gonna be difficult. BOSS gear is made stupid easy. THats why i love it. dont have to think too much. it just does what i want it to. See if you can demo it somewhere first. best of luck.

August 5th, 2004, 04:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 12,262	A good old Tascam 4 track cassette unit is as simple as it gets. You can also plug your guitar right in. Thats what I'd do that way your in for under $200 and if you decide you dont wanna record anymore you havent lost alot of $$.

August 5th, 2004, 05:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 12,262	You always have to mix down and transfer it to CD so friends can listen. Doesnt matter if your digital or analog still have to get the music in a format where everyone can listen to it. If every single person you plan on hearing your music has a computer then mp3's work fine but if you want grandpa and grandma to listen better put it on a CD.

August 8th, 2004, 04:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
emisilly Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 471	Get a Boss BR-8!!!!!!!! A great choice for lots of reasons.... -they are cheap on ebay. usually around $300. its where I got mine. -they record on zip discs, which have tons more memory than flash cards. -stupid easy to use. -excellent effects. very, very good for digital. -you can burn your stored music onto an outboard cd source. you can link it to your computer or do what I did....get one of those home cd recorders (around 100- 140 on ebay) and burn to those. you'll even have a cool stand alone burner to make multiple copies and make mix cd's for your car. overall, a super cheap and simple home studio for under 500 that makes incredible recordings. Check harmony central for reviews. Its a wonderful unit!!!!!

August 8th, 2004, 08:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Jason Cornelius Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Haslet, Texas Age: 31 Posts: 105	Hey Good Texan If you'll send me an email, I'll give you an honest opinion about my BR-8 vs computer recording, and I can send you some samples if you want. Thanks! Jason jcguitar@hotmail.com