recording through a tape player

[songster]

i accidently posted this in the guitar forum and didn't get many responses, so i figure i should probably put it where it belongs... anyway, i've been itching to make a demo by recording acoustically through a tape player these days... it's got a raw jagged appeal to it for some reason. here are my questions to all those who have tried it: does it work and can you give me some tips so that it doesn't sound like total **** (ie: can't hear the vocals)? i also hear that the fostex x-12 would be easier to work with than a standard stereo cassette player.

[KKKKKocaine]

Tagged for a reply when I get home.

[jarviss]

or you can record digitally...apply some filter or effect to get that 'raw' sound
:thumb: ?
-G

[songster]

or you can record digitally...apply some filter or effect to get that 'raw' sound
?
-G
yeah, but i've done all that stuff before, it feels to artificial to me... i dunno, i guess i just want to try something new (even though it's pretty old school)

[KKKKKocaine]

i accidently posted this in the guitar forum and didn't get many responses, so i figure i should probably put it where it belongs... anyway, i've been itching to make a demo by recording acoustically through a tape player these days... it's got a raw jagged appeal to it for some reason. here are my questions to all those who have tried it: does it work and can you give me some tips so that it doesn't sound like total **** (ie: can't hear the vocals)? i also hear that the fostex x-12 would be easier to work with than a standard stereo cassette player.

Well if you use something like the fostex x-12, whilst its a basic low end recorder, You can easily record the acoustic guitar and then add the vocals over the top whilst listening to the already recorded guitar on headphones.
It will do fine for that, However, it has no XLR inputs, so it depends what mic quality you want.
You may be better off getting a model with at least one XLR, the mic difference will be vast.
The x-12 is hot though, I'd buy one just for the vintage look, multitracks are definately alot easier and better than stereo cassette players, you also have the advantage of mixing after the recordings.

[songster]

theoretically, couldn't i just get an xlr to 1/4 inch adapter jack?

[moaner]

theoretically, couldn't i just get an xlr to 1/4 inch adapter jack?

ah, it juts doesn't work like that.

The advantage to XLR over jack is somehting called balancing. I don't know the physics of it (although all aes has to do is pick up the phone and he would almost certaintly) but it reduces backgorund noise, and imporves sound quality, i think. Its a lot better than using jacks.

[KKKKKocaine]

theoretically, couldn't i just get an xlr to 1/4 inch adapter jack?


Yes but you would need to get an impedance matcher converter thingymabob, otherwise you would still lose you XLR sound, I think they are about $15?

[songster]

Originally Posted by KKKKKocaine
Yes but you would need to get an impedance matcher converter thingymabob, otherwise you would still lose you XLR sound, I think they are about $15?
yeah thanks, i emailed my dad today and he suggested that as well...
also, correct me if i am mistaken, but you can transfer stuff you've recorded on an analogue multitracker onto your computer, right? what's the easiest way about that?
i know most people are gonna say 'go digital, man' but that's not the way i want to approach this project...

[KKKKKocaine]

yeah thanks, i emailed my dad today and he suggested that as well...
also, correct me if i am mistaken, but you can transfer stuff you've recorded on an analogue multitracker onto your computer, right? what's the easiest way about that?
i know most people are gonna say 'go digital, man' but that's not the way i want to approach this project...

Yup,
Get one of these cables (http://www.minidiscaccess.com/item.html?PRID=725944), and an adaptor to make it big enough to fit into the headphone output of the portastudio/4 track. and connect the other end to your pc mic input on the back of the computer.

This will then allow you to 'play' the recording into your pc, Get a free program called audacity, (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/).

Now take your recording, turn down track 2's master fader.
Press record on audacity.
Press play on the portastudio/4 track.

If everything goes to plan you should hear the track, and you should see the soundwaves as it records in audacity.
Next, turn down track 1's master fader, and put up Track 2's.
Do the same.
Repeat for tracks 3 and 4.

Now you have the tracks in audacity that you can add effects to, amplify, quieten e.t.c.

This will serve the purpose of a master recorder and will also allow you to convert it to mp3 medium and cd's.

[songster]

wow! sounds like you've answered that question before! thanks!

[KKKKKocaine]

wow! sounds like you've answered that question before! thanks!
Anytime :)