Recording equipment...

[Johnny Isaacs]

Question... I'm sure most of you remeber the days of the 4 track Tascam cassette recorders... I know a lot of use really cut our teeth on them!

I know just about everything is done on laptops these days and I know the whole "Get a Mac" conversation already... but my question is, are there any good stand alone units that are still good for recording? What are you all using to record at home? Is it all laptops these days? I've got some demos I want to get recorded.

Thanks!

Johnny Isaacs

[Slow Reflexes]

You can still record on a multitrack Tascam - just that they're digital now, they store files on SD cards (or hard drives), they can have 8-24 tracks, they can record up to 8 tracks at a time, they can have built-in CD drives...

Lots of options, and you don't HAVE to have a computer to do it. Just that you can, and it makes a great toy even greater.

[73Telecaster]

My cousin swears by his Boss BR-600. $350 new, so you can get them cheaper used.

[woodman]

Depending on your budget, there are a lot of options ... at the bottom end, a lot of people are getting good results from the little portables.

The only drawbacks with the standalone units are the small screen, lots of menu-diving, and memorizing key commands. Once you get familiar with the process, you can work efficiently, but it takes a while.

[fendrguitplayr]

I still use my old Boss BR-864 at times. I've heard some really
decent recordings made on those handheld field recorders too.

[CoachJM]

I've got a Zoom H4N and I'm pretty amazed by its capabilities (but, I may be easily "amazed". )

Works standalone and/or with a computer.

Still learning how to use the little sucker.

JM

[woodman]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

I've got a Zoom H4N and I'm pretty amazed by its capabilities

Yeah, that's one of the little portables I was talking about above. I'm amazed that they've amazed so many people!

[getbent]

another vote for the H2 type recorder... set it up for the 180 spread and just room record the band... redo the vocals on another track using the built in mic and you are DONE.

I'd bet you could get 85% as much with that as with a DAW... (and this from a DAW guy who practically lives in that stuff.)

I was at a funeral last sunday and they were playing music as we came in and sat down.. and a song came on that I played on and my son elbowed me and said, "Dad, that guitar player sounds just like you..." and I said, "it is me" and I kind of winced at a couple of parts I played (slide/dobro, which I pretty much suck at) but, overall, there were some cool parts (I was actually kind of proud of it) and I tried to remember recording the song, we kept talking about recording it, but never did.. and then I remembered... we used an H2 in the barn one night and that was maybe the first time I played on the song...

it sounded great considering!

I'd bet with a player like you... you'll get great results and not have to be all techie about it.

[telleutelleme]

The latest issue of Guitar Player (Hendrix on the cover) has a review of several of the small units. The Tascam DR40 was the least expensive and offered a lot of features. Worth a read if you have access to the magazine. The H2N is covered.

[Telesavalis]

Pro tools LE

[woodman]

Originally Posted by getbent

I'd bet with a player like you... you'll get great results and not have to be all techie about it.

^^^^^
And there you have it! Good music sounds good even if it's tracked on a $19.95 Radio Shack cassette recorder.

Johnny, I'm not clear on how much you're tracking live vs. overdubbing ... what's your plan of attack?

[PinewoodRo]

I still have a working Tascam 244 cassette recorder!

[Lerb21]

I'm using a Zoom R-16 recorder... it's awesome. It was about $400 I think. Works great and is pretty simple.

[Johnny Isaacs]

Thanks fellas for the inputs! I've done all types of recording, from cassette tape, 2 inch analog recording to full-on professional session work. In Las Vegas, one of the bands I worked for had their own 48 track studio with Pro Tools so I was able to use it at times!

But now that I'm in Minot, North Dakota; picken's are slim to say the least. That hasn't slowed down the creativity bug though and I've got lots of stuff to put down. I'll check out some of these options you all have mentioned. Thanks again and feel free to keep them coming!

Johnny Isaacs

[GhostofJohnToad]

I have a Zoom H4n and a Zoom HD8. They are great. I like the immediacy of the H4n for getting rough ideas down. And I love the hands on board feeling with the HD8. If I had to choose between them I'd take the H4n though. It can do 4tracking as well but it's a little awkward in the interface for that.

[Martin R]

"Demos" as in, "I've got an idea I want you to listen to", or "Demos" as in, "This is for Brad Paisley's producer. I think Brad will want to record it"?

We use an H4 for the previous. Plug a couple of mics into it, (one in front of the singer's monitor, one in the room), and it works great for getting ideas down in a hurry with the band. We also use the built-in mics when it's just me and Christina. They're pretty amazing.

But even with the Zoom's editing potential it's still a scratch track. You may want something that's easy to record multiple tracks with and something you can use to mix.

You've got a computer, that's the big buck item. Reaper's free and GarageBand comes with Macs. Just add the interface.

[fezz parka]

Get Audacity (freeware). It's basically SOS, so it's kinda perfect for the one man band. A mixer to go into the soundcard (most cards are just fine for demos) and you're done.