Digital Recording

[Tabor]

Here is a question for all those who are "up to date" with digital recording and especially software, since I am relatively clueless.

I have been wanting to do some digital recording (primarily, if not only live recording) and need something that will give me at least 16 bit sound, use good microphones and be able to make a sample CD. Ideally, whatever it is would be relatively simple to use and I wouldn't have to sell my last kidneys to buy it.

At this point, it could be hardware, software...I am pretty sure there are some people on this forum who do this and was wondering what you use.

The Marantz CDR300 Portable CD Field Recorder looks simple, but wouldn't do multi-track recording. The Fostex VF160EX 16-Track Recorder with CD Burner (and similar products) look like they would have everything I'd want, but I don't think I'll ever need that many options...digital effects, guitar simulators and the like don't really work with the kind of music I like.

What software options are available for doing primarily simple, live recording? Thank you in advance for any help!!

-Tabor

[MaryAnn]

It depends on how many tracks you want; I'm in the same quandry....I had really good results using a Rode stereo mike, a Blue Tube preamp, and going directly to a CD writer. I had a CD when I was done, but I had to re-record whenever there was a mistake, and I couldn't multi-track. It was excellent and simple for recordings of live performances.

Recently I bought a Mac computer, and when I get around to it I will buy the Logic Pro software, the cheaper version (about $400.) I expect this to do everything I need or want in the way of recording.

Sean mentioned when I inquired about it, that he had bought one of those direct-to-hard-drive digital recorders and liked it a lot. I didn't get one of those because I needed a new computer anyway, and I like a large screen to look at stuff on. I didn't get the laptop because I expect to do most of my recording at home and won't need to carry it all over the place. (got an iMac, which now has a Unix-based OS and user-accessible Unix command window.)

If you just want to experiment, get a used 4-track Tascam and have fun; and then spend the bigger bucks later when you know more what you really need. I found I won't get into zillion-track multi-effects recordings.

YMMV, of course.
MA

[WoodSheddin]

I bought one of those fancy multitrack hard drive recorders from a local "Guitar Center" and it rocks.

It has tons of features I don't even know how to use yet, including the editing. So far I have layed down a total of 2+ hours in 100+tracks takes of practice snippets. I have it set to 24bit. It also supplies phantom power to my mics and burns CDs. Best part is that it did not cost much more than my portable DAT.

Which reminds me that I really should put that DAT recorder up on eBay.

[Dylan King]

If you are blessed enough to have a MAC, I always recommend Logic. I used to use Digital Performer but have switched to Logic and find it much more powerful and easy to use for my scoring and recording needs.

As far as interfaces go, I think Tascam is doing the best job at putting everything one needs into one simple package. I used to use only a Tascam US-428 for all of my midi, audio, mixing, and control surface needs. They are quite inexpensive. I moved up to the FW-1884 the day they came out. For about $1,300 you get a professional audio/midi/controller all in one machine. I now run one CPU with one FW-1884 and have a more powerful system than one that would have cost $100,000+ a few years ago.

I can run unlimited tracks in 24bit surround.

[Phil Dawson]

Logic Audio Pro 7 can be purchased with the educational discout for $499. This is a steal. Marantz has a small portable recorder that uses flash memory and holds something like 6-8 gig. The unit has two built in preamps and phatom power. It can be purchased for about $600. This is a nice way to go if you want small and portable and 2 tracks is enough. Tascam's 1884 is very nice but it is not fun to lug around. The MOTU 896 line is much more portable and does everything that the Tascam does except there is no control surface. The most important part of the investment and the longest lasting is still the microphone(s). Good ones cost money and there is no way around this. The AKG 414 street price $799 is very nice as are many of the Neumanns. The Shure SM81 at about $300 each also do a nice job. Always remember to check the frequency responce as a good tuba palyer will play down to 20Hz and below. The low E of a string bass is at about 40Hz. An octave below is 20Hz. If your mic only goes down to 30Hz or rolls off in the low frequencies then you have a problem.
Good luck, Phil

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Howdy,
I wrote a long opinion for Sean when he posed this question and I'm happy that he's happy with his stuff. I won't rewrite it here but you can definitely search it out on the tubenet if you wish. I will however add that microphones are the piece of gear that are the toughest fit. After that, it's the room where you record. If you are recording electrical instruments that you can plug into the device (be it thru pre amps, analog digital converters, direct boxes, or midi) you're golden. This doesn't exist with the tuba so microphone shopping should take you more time than shopping for the hardware. I'm a big fan of those boxes that you carry around i.e. roland vs 880, but that may be because I was on the road for about 10 years of my life. I no longer have one in my house, but do own part of one at a studio in germany, and have one at my diposal in NYC. I love software and recording on a mac, the programs are all amazing, and as a frequent studio bass player I get to play on lot's of different ones. Eveybody has their favorites, for me though, my favorites are the ones the engineers really can use, the one's that have a good deli on the corner, in the old days it was the ones with a smoking area, now it's the ones without. My point in saying this is that the comfort, sound of the room, microphones, "hang factor", ease of use all play a role and by the time you can figure out all of the differences between the boxes, new technology will be out making the old ones seem archaic. Most of them can sound equally good with the right person who really knows the program or hardware behind the desk, you just need to learn it. So, leave your house(hard for me to do), and go put your fingers on some devices and figure out what works for you. Then figure out if editing makes sense to you on the machine, or if is totally the opposite of how you think. I've found both so other people might also. I enjoy the effects and preamps on some boards (Roland VS1680 now is the 1880) and some sound cheap, but when you go to the store they all have demo programs to listen to. Good Luck. Peace. ASG