What recording gear are you using?

hippietim · March 20th, 2003, 09:25 PM

Even though I have a capable enough PC and a good sound card (Echo Mia) I recently purchased a Yamaha AW16G 16-track digital recorder w/CD burner. The AW16G so far has been an excellent unit. Not quite as fancy as the PC with drag and drop editing and being able to use random plugins. But as it turns out, I never really do much of that. Also, the AW16G is very portable. It's no problem to just unplug it and take it anywhere. A PC on the other hand...

I'm curious to hear what others are using and what drove them to the decision.

Ward · March 21st, 2003, 01:54 PM

I use a Roland VS890. I got it for $100 at a Guitar Center Labor Day blowout. $100, not a typo. Its really great to use a DAW for home recording because it is so plug and play simple. Computer recording however, is probably the best way to go for someone getting started out, and eventually I will gravitate towards it as well. Its just so much easier and there is more you can do. My problems with the VS are mostly effect related, in that its extremely difficult to use outside effects, and the VS only lets you use two.
Eventually I want to hop onto the Pro Tools train. I'm looking at that rackmounted 8 input system that comes with Pro Tools LE. That really seems to be a good deal, since it is under $1000. Then I could have the benefits of all the effects plugins, using outboard effects ,and most likely a superior sound quality. Ward

Spanky · March 21st, 2003, 03:44 PM

using an Echo Gina w/2inputs-8 output breakout box-
and Cubase VST---Tascam 424 for a mixer and GNX 2 Digitech processor----David Hafler amp and Altec Lansing monitors----works fer me !
I like Cubase--very low latency with the Gina card--
good working good sounding card------

jumpnblues · March 21st, 2003, 08:08 PM

Protools Digi 001, PowerMac G4 with 80G HD, getting ready to install Protools version 6.0. I think this is a killer recording setup. I also have a Roland GR33 guitar synth and Alesis SR16 drum machine. I can be a one man band with "keyboards" and "horn sections". Great for blues and jump! 8)

MJ Harnish · March 22nd, 2003, 12:44 AM

I have a PC running Cakewalk Sonar 2.0 and use a M-Audio Delta 1010 for A/D/A conversion.

stevieboy · March 22nd, 2003, 12:49 AM

Boss 1180 (digi 8 track with 80 virtual tracks)
Boss 670 drum (& bass) machine
Shure SM57 mic
Audio Buddy two channel preamp & mixer
BFVC

I'm still pretty new to recording. What I have should keep me busy for some time.

I chose a stand alone over a software based system because I wanted to get a complete setup, without having to add plugins for everything, and also I spend way too much time, both work and leisure, at the computer already.

OneWatt · March 23rd, 2003, 11:06 AM

I've been very pleased with my Fostex VF160 (with internal CD-R/W burner) - I paid about $1200 and they're now down to about $800 including case. 16 tracks + 8 more virtual. SCSI connection to import/export WAV files (or burn them to CD)

markophonic · March 23rd, 2003, 11:41 AM

Roland VS840EX digital 8 track

Fostex MR8 digital 8 track

ART Tube MP Studio mic preamp/DI

Alesis NanoCompressor

Alesis NanoVerb

Alesis SR-16 drum machine

MXL 990 large diaphram condenser mic

MXL v57m large diaphram condenser

Shure SM57

Shure SM58

Vintage Shure 55S

Radio Shack small condenser

N-Tracks studio software (used mostly for editing)

lots of other "stuff" comes and goes!

Vol. Knob · March 24th, 2003, 08:26 AM

Boss BR1180-CD
2 Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics
1 Dynamic Mic.

That's it... The BR1180-CD is an all in one box that suits my needs.

Poppatwang · March 24th, 2003, 03:24 PM

Adat, Alesis board, Adat edit card for my venerable
PowerMac 7300. Home brew drum kit modded with mesh
heads & handbuilt triggers to run a TD-8 module.
Sans Amp bass driver to DI bass guitar.

Tylercaster · March 25th, 2003, 12:43 PM

I have the AW2816G. I Love it! It's very clean and I love the EQ and Dynamics presets. I use it with the Yamaha MSP3 Monitor Bundle. My main mic is an AKG 2000 (i think!)

rcliffg · March 26th, 2003, 04:24 PM

Cheap and all the capability I can imagine needing.

For drums I've started using LeafDrums2, which is an amazing, and amazingly cheap and easy-to-use, program; I couldn't recommend it any more highly.

It certainly is amazing what you can do these days for so little money. It's a great time to be a musician, that's for sure...

minoru · March 27th, 2003, 11:45 PM

I currently don't have a recorder, but have;

pair of Royer 121 mics
Neumann 269 mic
Neumann UM57 mic
Neumann bottle mic
pair of Schoeps 221b mics
Lomo mic
pair of Shure SM57 mics
AKG D25 mic
Shure Beta 52 mic
Korg SDD3000
Zoom 9010 (sounds crap, but has nasty sounding patches I made)
Roland DC30 analogue delay
custom made 2 channel mic pre
2 channel BBC mic pre
Little Labs IBP Jr
various pedals
lots of cable
Tannoy NFM8 monitors
and some more stuff

I make a living out of using this stuff, so my setup is obviously quite elaborate. I'm definitely buying more recording gear than I am guitars/amps.

A general rule when buying a recorder is to first determine analogue or digital. Then, set budget. After that, you start to worry about the details like track count, individual sound quality, etc.

If going digital, general rule of thumb is to go for the latest, but not the absolutely new latest, since those still may have bugs (I usually wait at least 6 months for the product to mature and have bugs worked out).

I've used recorders including most of the pro tape formats, hard disk/computer, standalone hard disk, cassette, etc. I don't really have a favourite, since at the end of the day, it's the music, and then circumstances that dictate (budget, schedule, etc) what to record to. I try to do my best within the situation. However, if you're not making music that needs to be precise and intricately edited, I tend to prefer restrictions. Too many people forget to listen and trust their ears and instead, keep staring at the screen. I even put stuff over the screen at times or power it down when things get too overboard.

4mal · April 3rd, 2003, 04:42 PM

Tascam 788 and a rack full of old analog stuff. Fav new mic is the Oktava 319 running through a Belari tube pre. Also have a TLM - 103 which was bout the same money as a real good Tele. Good sounding mic though.

Saving my shekels for an avalon pre! and a Radial DI .. which will be a big owie on the toy budget!

I can't say enough good about the Tascam. Anyone looking to go from an analog setp to digital needs to check it out.

Baard · April 9th, 2003, 01:58 AM

I use a yamaha 4 track mini disc recorder. A sm58 and a sm57 beta, and sometimes my digitech rp2000 board. For bass i use my tele and a pitch shifter dow one octave

For drums i use a hammerhead software drum machine. I just use it to make RAW versions of songs I write, to play for the band. Not really done versions. That way they can give their input/ change the key etc to make it fit our vocals. Or scrap it entirely.....before too much work is put into it... Not all ideas are good ones

Baard

Chops · April 11th, 2003, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vol. Knob

Boss BR1180-CD
2 Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics
1 Dynamic Mic.

That's it... The BR1180-CD is an all in one box that suits my needs.

Me too. I use the BR1180-CD with a Neumann TLM-103, and I accomplish everything I want to. Simple is beautifull!

jumpnblues · April 11th, 2003, 09:20 PM

Digidesign Digi 001 Version 6.0 with Power Mac G4 and extra Glyph 40G hard drive. Computer is exclusively dedicated for recording. Everything was set up by Sweetwater Sound. I highly recommend them. 8)

TeleGeir · April 22nd, 2003, 04:10 PM

Here is my current idea:

Recorder: Yamaha AW16G
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/...%253DY,00.html
Guitars: You know what! 8)
Piano: A real acoustic piano. (Plus I have a grand piano elsewhere in the house)
Keyboard: Yamaha Tyros.
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/...%253DY,00.html
The Tyros has all the sounds I need, and better sounding than most anything contained in a single keyboard.
Icing on the cake: Hammond B3 (I wish...)

I do have a state of the art PC, and will probably buy a new Mac soon. But it feels like too much work to set it up and stuff. Those new digital workstations like at AW16G allowes you to spend time on composing and performing, rather than computing. And I cannot justify having a PC or Mac dedicated to recording.

Of course, before I get aroud to buying one, newer models may have appeared. We shall see... 8)

Geir :)

archiennc · April 25th, 2003, 12:19 AM

Even though I have my computer loaded with pro-tools, I
much prefer the non-computer approach to my
recording. It's simply quicker to get my ideas recorded.
My stuff includes:

Yamaha AW16
Tascam 424 MK III (Tape 4 Track-I Love the warm sound
of Analog)
Tascam Stand-Alone CDR
Behringer Processors (Including Compressor Pro XL,
Virtualizer Pro)
Shure Mics (SM 58's)
Alesis Nanoverb
Optimus 200 Watt Stereo Amp
Optimus Speakers
Euro Desk Mixer

Very little money invested and a whole lot of sound! :)

Brass Saddles · April 26th, 2003, 08:02 AM

Howdy: Roland VS 2480. It sounds great, there is a learning curve big time, like any system your not used to. I've had a problem with the effects, outside are tuff but even using the inboard stuff is difficult, only 2 in the machine. I've had a problem getting them up, but great machine, sounds great.
Brass Saddles
Boston, MA.

TACurtis · April 27th, 2003, 06:23 PM

Sequencer: POS 266 mHz PC running Master Tracks Pro

Recording: Macintosh G4 Cube running Cubase VST Score

DAW: Tascam US-428

Keyboards: Alesis QS6 and Yamaha CS1x

I run my sequencing stuff into the Alesis and use that as a sound module; the audio outs go into the DAW, which in turn goes into my Mac. I record my basses direct via SansAmp Bass driver stomp box. I have an SM-58 but no place suitable to record vocals.

Overall, I'm very happy with the quality of the sound. Now if I could just get people around me off their collective arses to come over here and record, I'd be in fat city.

March 20th, 2003, 09:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
hippietim Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh Posts: 2,075	What recording gear are you using? Even though I have a capable enough PC and a good sound card (Echo Mia) I recently purchased a Yamaha AW16G 16-track digital recorder w/CD burner. The AW16G so far has been an excellent unit. Not quite as fancy as the PC with drag and drop editing and being able to use random plugins. But as it turns out, I never really do much of that. Also, the AW16G is very portable. It's no problem to just unplug it and take it anywhere. A PC on the other hand... I'm curious to hear what others are using and what drove them to the decision.

March 21st, 2003, 01:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ward Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 451	Ward I use a Roland VS890. I got it for $100 at a Guitar Center Labor Day blowout. $100, not a typo. Its really great to use a DAW for home recording because it is so plug and play simple. Computer recording however, is probably the best way to go for someone getting started out, and eventually I will gravitate towards it as well. Its just so much easier and there is more you can do. My problems with the VS are mostly effect related, in that its extremely difficult to use outside effects, and the VS only lets you use two. Eventually I want to hop onto the Pro Tools train. I'm looking at that rackmounted 8 input system that comes with Pro Tools LE. That really seems to be a good deal, since it is under $1000. Then I could have the benefits of all the effects plugins, using outboard effects ,and most likely a superior sound quality. Ward

March 21st, 2003, 03:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Spanky Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baldwin,(Long Island) NY Posts: 117	Daw stuff-------------- using an Echo Gina w/2inputs-8 output breakout box- and Cubase VST---Tascam 424 for a mixer and GNX 2 Digitech processor----David Hafler amp and Altec Lansing monitors----works fer me ! I like Cubase--very low latency with the Gina card-- good working good sounding card------ __________________ Rev. Spanky************************** God plays a 52ri--He's really GOOD TOO ! *************************************

March 21st, 2003, 08:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
jumpnblues Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midwest Age: 58 Posts: 1,553	Protools Digi 001, PowerMac G4 with 80G HD, getting ready to install Protools version 6.0. I think this is a killer recording setup. I also have a Roland GR33 guitar synth and Alesis SR16 drum machine. I can be a one man band with "keyboards" and "horn sections". Great for blues and jump! 8) __________________ jumpnblues

March 22nd, 2003, 12:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
MJ Harnish Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hattingen, Germany Posts: 457	I have a PC running Cakewalk Sonar 2.0 and use a M-Audio Delta 1010 for A/D/A conversion. __________________ MJ Harnish Suburbs: Where they cut down all the trees and then name the streets after them.

March 22nd, 2003, 12:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
stevieboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the valley Posts: 2,090 6 Photos	my stuff Boss 1180 (digi 8 track with 80 virtual tracks) Boss 670 drum (& bass) machine Shure SM57 mic Audio Buddy two channel preamp & mixer BFVC I'm still pretty new to recording. What I have should keep me busy for some time. I chose a stand alone over a software based system because I wanted to get a complete setup, without having to add plugins for everything, and also I spend way too much time, both work and leisure, at the computer already. __________________ "One of the best bands ever. These guys were such perfectionist"--Youtube user comment

March 23rd, 2003, 11:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
OneWatt TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 27	Digital domain - VF160 I've been very pleased with my Fostex VF160 (with internal CD-R/W burner) - I paid about $1200 and they're now down to about $800 including case. 16 tracks + 8 more virtual. SCSI connection to import/export WAV files (or burn them to CD)

March 23rd, 2003, 11:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
markophonic Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan Age: 47 Posts: 917 1 Photos	Roland VS840EX digital 8 track Fostex MR8 digital 8 track ART Tube MP Studio mic preamp/DI Alesis NanoCompressor Alesis NanoVerb Alesis SR-16 drum machine MXL 990 large diaphram condenser mic MXL v57m large diaphram condenser Shure SM57 Shure SM58 Vintage Shure 55S Radio Shack small condenser N-Tracks studio software (used mostly for editing) lots of other "stuff" comes and goes! __________________ http://www.brianvanderark.com/

March 24th, 2003, 08:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
Vol. Knob Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 455 64 Photos	Boss BR1180-CD 2 Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics 1 Dynamic Mic. That's it... The BR1180-CD is an all in one box that suits my needs. __________________ I have a few bands: 7 Mysteries Zerababyl Inflammatory Rhetoric

March 24th, 2003, 03:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,822 13 Photos	Short list Adat, Alesis board, Adat edit card for my venerable PowerMac 7300. Home brew drum kit modded with mesh heads & handbuilt triggers to run a TD-8 module. Sans Amp bass driver to DI bass guitar.

March 25th, 2003, 12:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tylercaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mississippi Age: 30 Posts: 378	Yamaha as well. I have the AW2816G. I Love it! It's very clean and I love the EQ and Dynamics presets. I use it with the Yamaha MSP3 Monitor Bundle. My main mic is an AKG 2000 (i think!) __________________ Psalm 33:3 - Play skillfully as you shout out your praises to Him!

March 26th, 2003, 04:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
rcliffg Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 168	BR-532 Cheap and all the capability I can imagine needing. For drums I've started using LeafDrums2, which is an amazing, and amazingly cheap and easy-to-use, program; I couldn't recommend it any more highly. It certainly is amazing what you can do these days for so little money. It's a great time to be a musician, that's for sure...

March 27th, 2003, 11:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
minoru TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 12	I currently don't have a recorder, but have; pair of Royer 121 mics Neumann 269 mic Neumann UM57 mic Neumann bottle mic pair of Schoeps 221b mics Lomo mic pair of Shure SM57 mics AKG D25 mic Shure Beta 52 mic Korg SDD3000 Zoom 9010 (sounds crap, but has nasty sounding patches I made) Roland DC30 analogue delay custom made 2 channel mic pre 2 channel BBC mic pre Little Labs IBP Jr various pedals lots of cable Tannoy NFM8 monitors and some more stuff I make a living out of using this stuff, so my setup is obviously quite elaborate. I'm definitely buying more recording gear than I am guitars/amps. A general rule when buying a recorder is to first determine analogue or digital. Then, set budget. After that, you start to worry about the details like track count, individual sound quality, etc. If going digital, general rule of thumb is to go for the latest, but not the absolutely new latest, since those still may have bugs (I usually wait at least 6 months for the product to mature and have bugs worked out). I've used recorders including most of the pro tape formats, hard disk/computer, standalone hard disk, cassette, etc. I don't really have a favourite, since at the end of the day, it's the music, and then circumstances that dictate (budget, schedule, etc) what to record to. I try to do my best within the situation. However, if you're not making music that needs to be precise and intricately edited, I tend to prefer restrictions. Too many people forget to listen and trust their ears and instead, keep staring at the screen. I even put stuff over the screen at times or power it down when things get too overboard.

April 3rd, 2003, 04:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
4mal Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 1,917	Tascam 788 and a rack full of old analog stuff. Fav new mic is the Oktava 319 running through a Belari tube pre. Also have a TLM - 103 which was bout the same money as a real good Tele. Good sounding mic though. Saving my shekels for an avalon pre! and a Radial DI .. which will be a big owie on the toy budget! I can't say enough good about the Tascam. Anyone looking to go from an analog setp to digital needs to check it out.

April 9th, 2003, 01:58 AM	#15 (permalink)
Baard Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 668	Real simple..... I use a yamaha 4 track mini disc recorder. A sm58 and a sm57 beta, and sometimes my digitech rp2000 board. For bass i use my tele and a pitch shifter dow one octave For drums i use a hammerhead software drum machine. I just use it to make RAW versions of songs I write, to play for the band. Not really done versions. That way they can give their input/ change the key etc to make it fit our vocals. Or scrap it entirely.....before too much work is put into it... Not all ideas are good ones Baard

April 11th, 2003, 09:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
jumpnblues Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midwest Age: 58 Posts: 1,553	My current recording gear... Digidesign Digi 001 Version 6.0 with Power Mac G4 and extra Glyph 40G hard drive. Computer is exclusively dedicated for recording. Everything was set up by Sweetwater Sound. I highly recommend them. 8) __________________ jumpnblues

April 22nd, 2003, 04:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
TeleGeir Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 1,998	Not there yet, but Here is my current idea: Recorder: Yamaha AW16G http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/...%253DY,00.html Guitars: You know what! 8) Piano: A real acoustic piano. (Plus I have a grand piano elsewhere in the house) Keyboard: Yamaha Tyros. http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/...%253DY,00.html The Tyros has all the sounds I need, and better sounding than most anything contained in a single keyboard. Icing on the cake: Hammond B3 (I wish...) I do have a state of the art PC, and will probably buy a new Mac soon. But it feels like too much work to set it up and stuff. Those new digital workstations like at AW16G allowes you to spend time on composing and performing, rather than computing. And I cannot justify having a PC or Mac dedicated to recording. Of course, before I get aroud to buying one, newer models may have appeared. We shall see... 8) Geir :)

April 25th, 2003, 12:19 AM	#19 (permalink)
archiennc TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northeastern North Carolina Age: 48 Posts: 91	Even though I have my computer loaded with pro-tools, I much prefer the non-computer approach to my recording. It's simply quicker to get my ideas recorded. My stuff includes: Yamaha AW16 Tascam 424 MK III (Tape 4 Track-I Love the warm sound of Analog) Tascam Stand-Alone CDR Behringer Processors (Including Compressor Pro XL, Virtualizer Pro) Shure Mics (SM 58's) Alesis Nanoverb Optimus 200 Watt Stereo Amp Optimus Speakers Euro Desk Mixer Very little money invested and a whole lot of sound! :) __________________ "Music Is The Voice of My Soul"

April 26th, 2003, 08:02 AM	#20 (permalink)
Brass Saddles Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 423	VS 2480 Howdy: Roland VS 2480. It sounds great, there is a learning curve big time, like any system your not used to. I've had a problem with the effects, outside are tuff but even using the inboard stuff is difficult, only 2 in the machine. I've had a problem getting them up, but great machine, sounds great. Brass Saddles Boston, MA.

April 27th, 2003, 06:23 PM	#21 (permalink)
TACurtis TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 24	Rube Goldberg would be proud :-) Sequencer: POS 266 mHz PC running Master Tracks Pro Recording: Macintosh G4 Cube running Cubase VST Score DAW: Tascam US-428 Keyboards: Alesis QS6 and Yamaha CS1x I run my sequencing stuff into the Alesis and use that as a sound module; the audio outs go into the DAW, which in turn goes into my Mac. I record my basses direct via SansAmp Bass driver stomp box. I have an SM-58 but no place suitable to record vocals. Overall, I'm very happy with the quality of the sound. Now if I could just get people around me off their collective arses to come over here and record, I'd be in fat city.