Technology Questions

[tubajoe]

I’m with the camp that CD/hard disk recorders are pretty much old school and outdated – in fact I just got rid of a CD recorder that I had.

Recording directly into the computer via a good usb/firewire/ pre/input box (Mbox or the likes) with a couple of decent mikes is the way to go.

The great thing is that once in the computer (be it ProTools, Cubase or whatever) you have a complete VISUAL representation of the music – and it makes it easy and so quick to do what you need with it (even if you don’t have a lot of computer chops) Things like cutting and pasting etc are amazingly easy.

You can always dump from your other source into ProTools (as many studios do now: tape to ProTools) but just recording into the computer directly is probably the easiest way to go.

The guitar player in my band does this for EVERY lesson he teaches using Garageband. The kids love it – they leave the lesson with an actual CD in hand to play for mommy/friends of them playing. He does it all right from his laptop. And we all know the (often painful) benifits of recording ourselves.

Since you already have a snazzy G5 right there – I’d suggest getting a good preamp/box/mics and a nice set of studio monitor speakers and a copy of ProTools. That’d suit you well and would be cost effective. Many small studios I’ve been in nowdays don’t have (or need) much more than that.

As I am sure Mellosmokeman and others will attest to, getting some chops in editing software is an extremely valuable thing to have for ANY type music of application or vocation. For a musician having those skills are equitable in importance to using the web or email. It is literally that essential if you want to share/publicize/review/enjoy your own music – it’s an amazing tool – things have become SO much easier in that regard within the last few years. You can literally go from recording/editing/burning/even mp3 in minutes and in just a few steps and with only a computer.

[Mark]

I’m with the camp that CD/hard disk recorders are pretty much old school and outdated – in fact I just got rid of a CD recorder that I had.

Recording directly into the computer via a good usb/firewire/ pre/input box (Mbox or the likes) with a couple of decent mikes is the way to go.

Unless you have a good notebook computer, you will lose the portability of a HD/CD recorder. I know I wouldn't want to haul a G5 + monitor, etc. around just to do a quick recording.

My Tascam DP-01FX will fit in my Manhasset Voyager bag along with mics, headphones and cables.

[David Zerkel]

Wow.....you guys recomending all this technology really don't know Zerkel! I'm still impressed he knows that the CD drive tray ISN'T a cup holder!

Ah, finally someone who understands me! Thanks for painting everyone the propoer picture, Mike!

Hope all is well!

[mdc2d]

I agree with the Mac geeks, just use the G5 w/Garage Band or Audacity. Those are great programs, and its all ready in your studio.

[tubatooter1940]

A friend of mine came over and installed "Cakewalk Pro Audio" software on my computer. I would like to know if this is a good system.

[SplatterTone]

And to enhance your shopping pleasure, below is list of rebates many of which are on the kind of stuff that fit this topic. The value of some of the free stuff rebates is a bit dubious (e.g. headphones that are probably low-end items).

The recordings I posted were made with the Fostex MR8 and MR8HD, then copied to computer via USB to edit and re-encode the WAV file to MP3. The MR8HD is the cheapest hard drive recorder with phantom powered XLR inputs. A lot of digital recorders have all kinds of special effects processors and file editing capabilities -- bells and whistles in which I had no interest and did not want to pay for. Tascam has a cheaper hard drive recorder, but the cheaper one has no phantom powered XLR inputs.

I can carry the recorder, mics, and cables in case, a little smaller than a briefcase, that I got at a camera store. The case is water proof ... just in case I do some recording in New Orleans.

Oooooh, shopping for gadgets. It will bring you happy!
http://www.sweetwater.com/dealzone/rebates/#TASCAM

[tubajon]

High quality sound recordings are great. Is there a visual element included in any of those technologically advanced recording devices/computers? If not, I believe it would be very effective for your students if a video recorder were used (alone or along with a high-quality sound recorder). The reasons why are as follows:
1) Your student will be able to see AND hear that when he/she moves his/her face too much, all aspects of quality sound production are disrupted.
2) Other issues such as squirming, back and shoulder tension, excessive movement, eyes leaving the music (when they should be on the music), foot tapping, finger position, leaks, excessive cheek puffing, etc. are made evident to the student.
Jon