first time multi-track user. basic help?

[evol04gt]

so ive had my portastudio 8 track recorder for about a month and i havent used it once.. i am afraid. and i havent hooked it up to an audio source yet. i will be recording things soon. i am really really really behind the times with technology. any advice people have would be great for recording and not getting frustrated with tone and EQ set ups.

my main reasoning for the unit is to put down my musical ideas and multi layer and write better guitar parts for my songs.

at some point ill be getting a drum machine and putting vocals down on it once i get more experience. how high of quality can i expect with this unit? should i buy some laptop software later on when i want to mix down to cd just to tweak everything?

my unit is the dp02 (non cd burner)

i am hoping to not get overwhelmed at first.

thanks!

[beep.click]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the sound quality!

Later on, yes, you'll probably want some software to do editing and mixdowns.

First things first: learn a little bit about how your machine works. The manual is your friend -- but you DON'T have to memorize it!

A lot of these units come with demo songs, to help you learn at least the PLAYBACK functions. Might be a good idea to start there.

When you're ready to try recording something of your own, make sure you have a handle on how to create a new project, and also delete it. The first few things you try recording should be TOTAL disposable garbage, just stuff that you want to record and instantly delete, so you know how to do it.

From there, I suggest you move forward in baby steps.

P.S. If your machine will do it, another important function to learn is how to copy stuff to your PC. Backing up is critical.

P.P.S. The most important thing of all is, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN. If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!

[evol04gt]

cool man, thanks!!!! i am afraid of it i think.

[woodman]

Originally Posted by beep.click

The manual is your friend

truer words were never spoken. get familiar enough with it to know where to look when you hit the wall, and keep it by your side when you're working.

as for being a little afraid, a bit of trepidation is normal when you start something new that you know will be difficult. just goof around with it, like beep.click says ... if you don't take it too seriously at first, you'll relax enough to make progress. there'll be plenty of time later to get neurotic and obsessive!

[evol04gt]

thanks guys! a lot of the issue is getting over my playing insecurities. i need to have some time to myself to sit down and mess around with out work or home/child distractions

[outbreak]

i'd recommend reading through the manual and just playing around with things. really the only way me and my friend learnt to use his 8track tascam in a usable manner was to just mess around recording whatever for a day.

[woodman]

Originally Posted by evol04gt

thanks guys! a lot of the issue is getting over my playing insecurities. i need to have some time to myself to sit down and mess around with out work or home/child distractions

yep -- finding *uninterrupted* time is the biggest challenge to home recording, in my experience.

[chemikiller]

at first, what you play is irrelevant and disposable.
as with learning an instrument, you want to get comfortable with your gear before you even think about doing any serious tracking.

my advice is figure out what exactly you want to do and take it slow and in stages. As you become comfortable with each step in the process, you'll feel yourself ready to move on.

Best of luck.

[Skully]

My advice would be to pick a simple song and lay down at least two guitar parts, bass, a vocal, etc. In other words, do the simplest full "production" possible. That way, you learn the machine and the process and you'll end up with a satisfying piece of "art" to inspire you to do more. If you just noodle, you'll end up with noodlings and think, "What's the point?"

IMHO, manuals can be useful for getting oneself out of a jam, but they can also be confusing and frustrating. I'd figure out enough to lay a track down and then go for it. The best way to learn is by doing. After all, you're not building a skyscraper, so you don't have to worry about it collapsing and killing someone.

I would also consider getting a soundcard for your computer and downloading Reaoer (free if you want it to be) and recording via software. It may seem more intimidating at first, but I think it's easier and it gives you much, much more control.

[evol04gt]

thanks skully ==thats what ive been working on.... i have about 12 songs and lyrics pretty well meshed---three are about perfect... jsut haveto get the vocals down and confident... then ill record it all..

im thinking a slave guitar/vocal track- then a bass play along. then redo guitars and vocals.. leave 4 tracks open for drums and leads.

[woodman]

Originally Posted by evol04gt

im thinking a slave guitar/vocal track- then a bass play along. then redo guitars and vocals.. leave 4 tracks open for drums and leads.

does your machine offer a click track? that would really help you as you move along in the process ....

[giginthesky]

i've had my tascam 24 track for years and i still refer to the manual. the trick is to play around with it for a while to get used to it. don't just jump in trying to recording right away. like beepclick said, i also believe you will be surprized at the sound quality.

[Tim Armstrong]

As for performance anxiety, the thing to keep in mind is that you're not paying by the hour! Take your time, relax, enjoy yourself. Do stuff over if you have to. There's no audience, and no one EVER has to hear what you're doing, unless you choose to share it!

And the more you do it, the easier it gets and the better you perform, so start doing the pushups!!!

Cheers, Tim

[GoldieLocks]

I use my all in 1 recording machine constantly. Always have it setup & ready to go. It'll really help your playing & timing. (Also your tone ).

remember: This is not a $3,000,000 recording studio. Lower your expectations a little. THere's a reason those reverbs & tube E.Q.'s cost over 10 grand.

[Tim Armstrong]

Originally Posted by GoldieLocks

remember: This is not a $3,000,000 recording studio. Lower your expectations a little. THere's a reason those reverbs & tube E.Q.'s cost over 10 grand.

+1

...although, I gotta say, some of the fairly low-fi recordings I made back in the 4-track cassette portastudio days had MAJOR mojo happening!

Cheers, Tim