multitrack recorder

[Ethan.]

I'm interested in getting my first multitrack recording thing. I think 4 tracks is enough. I want to be able to clean up the sound, like EQ type of stuff, and some effects would be nice. I don't know what to get: a cassette one or a digital one? I want a nice one that sounds alright, but I don't need CD production quality just yet. I don't really know much about these things.

What's the best one I can get for under $300?

How do I record my drums without spending a ton of money?

Thanks.

[isojoe420]

How about $0.00? Thats about as cheap as you will find these days. Just download audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) or some other free software(or illegally download something), and you have a multitrack recorder.

[ELB]

How about $0.00? Thats about as cheap as you will find these days. Just download audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) or some other free software(or illegally download something), and you have a multitrack recorder.
How would Freebyrd record it then? Wouldn't Freebyrd need an interface to take the mic signal and make it digital to put it into the computer, like the FIREPOD (http://www.presonus.com/firepod.html)?

I wouldn't get a tape recorder, there's better quality out there.

-ELB

[isojoe420]

Just could go straight in, or some sort of pre-amp.

[Ethan.]

Is there any way to do it without using a computer much? I don't have my own, and my dad gets mad if I load up the computer with music. It's old.

[vizo]

The Fostex MR-8 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/FostexMR88TrackDigitalRecorder?sku=240239) series is probably your best bet. They are about $230-$250 depending on the model you get. It comes with a small capacity card so you'll want to buy a larger one so you can fit more than 30 seconds on it. If you want to record drums youll need a small mixer with atleast 4 or more inputs on it, then run it into one of the available inputs on the Fostex.

[ELB]

Depending on how many tracks you are planning to record simultaneously but I'd say Vizo has the right idea for your situation.
For example only using two mics for the guitar then you'll add other instruments or tracks later, still using two or less? This link has a few Two track simultaneous recorders in that area.
Here's MusiciansFriend's digital multi track recorders for 200-300 greens. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/rec/navigation?N=100001+304763+9&page=1
actually just take a look to the left of Vizo's linked page.

-ELB

[Moseph]

I'd say save your money a little more and get a Fostex MR8-HD. It gives 40GB internal saving rather than a small card for doing more than just 1 project at a time. It also has features unmatched by everything else in it's price range (ie, 4 input simultaneous recording with phantom power). That'll give you some room for growth in your production techniques (ie, you might want to do 4-tracks on a drum kit some day, or work on 3-4 different songs at once).

[pitchfork]

Do you have mics yet?

[Ethan.]

No. What should I get that won't cost a ton?

[zachh]

I would suggest Shure SM57's for the instruments, but that's my forte. In this kind of thing you don't want to skimp a whole lot, because you REALLY get what you pay for most of the time.

[Ethan.]

Yeah... the only reason I'm not going to spend a lot is because my manager said he doesn't know if I can keep my job after the summer is over. I can't wait until school gets out and I can work and get money...

[zachh]

I understand. As far as mics, I usually stick with Shure just because they've never let me down.

Audio-Technica has made some decent mics, and I'm thinking they're a bit cheaper.

[Ethan.]

I think I'm going to get the Mr-8. Do you know what the difference is between the Mr-8 and the MR-8 MKII? There's gotta be something... the black costs more and looks better, but is there really anything better about it worth that extra $20?

[ELB]

well from what i read:
Mr-8 (http://www.fostex.com/index.php?file=products/digital/mr8)
MR-8 MKII (http://www.fostex.com/index.php?file=products/digital/mr8mk2)
It's a slight step up:
•Now Includes phantom power for mics(If you end up buying condersers, this is a good idea)
•Has a new USB host for burning a CD
•"Improved built-in digital effects"
•"A new dial knob for menu selection."
•Has "A/D Converter 24-bit Delta-Sigma [and] D/A Converter 24-bit Delta-Sigma" instead of the 16-bit
•records on a CompactFlash Card

Hope thats sums it up. Personaly, whats another 20bucks with a few etra features?
-ELB

[mrchristian]

Screw the digital recorder... I'm borrowing one and its mostly a pain in the *** because I have to transfer all the sound on burned CD's after I mix it down, so basically I can't fix stuff on the computer that easily. The interface takes a long time to navigate around and its not that intuitive. Upside? You can take it anywhere if thats important to you, and everything is all built in.

Here's a better idea: make your computer a editing studio by buying a USB/Firewire/whatever interface, or a high end soundcard and plug everything right in. Unlimited tracks, limitless and cheap space, and powerful editing with a mouse. Not to mention its cheaper too. Downside? Unless you have a laptop you're pretty much stuck in one room, and you need at least a descent computer. Plus, for the cheaper ones, you can only do one or two inputs at a time which can be a problem if you like to jam together and feed in a bunch of inputs. But if you do the one-track-at-a-time deal its not really a problem.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudioFastTrackUSBComputerRecordingInterface?sku=7 03606

[Moseph]

Screw the digital recorder... I'm borrowing one and its mostly a pain in the *** because I have to transfer all the sound on burned CD's after I mix it down, so basically I can't fix stuff on the computer that easily. The interface takes a long time to navigate around and its not that intuitive. Upside? You can take it anywhere if thats important to you, and everything is all built in.

Here's a better idea: make your computer a editing studio by buying a USB/Firewire/whatever interface, or a high end soundcard and plug everything right in. Unlimited tracks, limitless and cheap space, and powerful editing with a mouse. Not to mention its cheaper too. Downside? Unless you have a laptop you're pretty much stuck in one room, and you need at least a descent computer. Plus, for the cheaper ones, you can only do one or two inputs at a time which can be a problem if you like to jam together and feed in a bunch of inputs. But if you do the one-track-at-a-time deal its not really a problem.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudioFastTrackUSBComputerRecordingInterface?sku=7 03606


If you read the posts, this is not an option for this situation.

[Ethan.]

Well I might be able to get a laptop; I don't want a desktop because they are big and take up lots of room. Computers have gone down in price by a lot the past few years. I could probably get a laptop with 512MB of memory and an 80G hard drive and a good processor speed for under $500.

Whats a good sound card gonna run me and where could I find one?

[ELB]

From what I know, my friend has his eMac running some heavy stuff on his computer but never needed to buy a sound card. I've used an ibook laptop for recording, no problems there(unless recording in 24bit).
-ELB
ed:
His computer came w/ a line in. mine didnt. so scratch sound
He did however use some very nice equipment to make it sound even better than his talent can do. FIREPOD, Mackie mixer 1604-VLZ Pro