Tascam 424MKIII as preamp

> > > Tascam 424MKIII as preamp

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Member Since: Dec 16, 2006

Hi everyone, this is my first post!

I was wondering if I could use my Tascam 424MKIII as a preamp for micing vocals and guitars through my computer's soundcard (Audigy platinum 2) AND if yes, if it would sound pretty good or might sound really crappy COMPARED to the ART MP Tube Preamp that I am considering of buying...

Here is the link with the specs:

www.tascam.com/Products/424mkIII.html

ANY help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Matt

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 16, 2006 02:00 pm

Hey there and welcome to HRC.

The answer is yes you can use the 424 in that manner. And yes the ART will probably have a better quality sound then the 424 pre's will. But you have the Audigy which will be the limiting factor here. Although the Audigy is a capable sound card and wonderfull for gaming and listening to music you may find it has its limits when you get into the recording a little heavier.

Now that said, it is a fine card and if you are just beggining it is more then capable of doing what yo need for now.

I guess I would honestly start out with the 424 and try it to see if you like the quality of the audio youget recorded. If it seems lacking then the ART pre is the next logical step. I'm not sure what the price of the ART is but you may also want to look into something along the lines of a 2 channel audio interface that includes a good pair of pre amps built in. Though these are not the greatest on entry level pieces they work very well and will go a long way depending on how serious you want to get in your recording endevours.

I guess asking what type of music you wish to record will also help decide what path might be best for you as well. Let us know and we'll get you hooked up straight away.

Noize

Member
Since: Dec 16, 2006

Dec 16, 2006 02:49 pm

Hey thanks for the reply!

I am new to this forum but I am not new to recording... although I HAVE been recording with crappy gear for years (just a SM57 directly through the audigy). I did have some good sounds with it, but now I want more! :) I was mainly recording my own band which is grunge, but now I am wanting to record my own stuff, which is more like Coldplay, Hayden, Jack Johnson etc. What I have for gear now is a SM57, SM58, my old Tascam 424MKIII, Sound Blaster Audigy, a Fender Jaguar, Peavey Classic 50 4x10", bunch of pedals, etc.

What I want to upgrade to (for now): ART MP tube preamp, Alesis 3630 compressor OR dbx 266XL (whichever is better), and an AKG perception 100
condenser.

Do you have suggestions ?

Thanks,

Matt

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 16, 2006 03:45 pm

Hey Matt, it looks like you know what you want for now then. I know several here use the ART unit and like it, it is affordable and sounds good as well. For you compressor choice's I am more for the dbx 266XL unit as the Alesis unit is cheap, but also sounds cheap without modification's. It works but is not really the best and can add some unwanted artifact's to your audio. And your mic choice is a good one for all around use. I have listened to the perception and liked them. And AKG is a pretty trusted company so you know your getting a decent product.

I would say for what you want to record now on your own that gear will be solid and work well for you. A simple set up running the mic into the pre and out through the compressor to the Audigy is an excelant personal set up and will be pretty quiet as far as any extra noise induced.

If you have any other questions be sure to ask.

Member
Since: Dec 16, 2006

Dec 16, 2006 03:56 pm

Thanks Noize, I really appreciate it.

I do have a question though... You said that the Alesis sounds cheap unless it is modded. I do know alot about electronics (build and mod pedals)... Do you have any idea what kind of mod can be done and with the mod, would it rival the dbx? I also read that the dbx clicks when the compressor kicks in, but I think that it does so when people plug there Z-input (like bass) directly in it without a DI... am I right ?

Thanks,

Matt

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 16, 2006 07:30 pm

Matt, give me an hour or so and I'll look up the URL for the place that sells the mod kit. I also think I have the original article from Tape-Op magazine that showed how to do the first part of the mod.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 16, 2006 08:33 pm

Here is one that really doesn't give you much to go on. But it does have links to others. www.recording.org/e-mag/article_81.shtml

Here is a review of the Blacklion mod which seemed to be the one to go with but I don't fine the mod on their site anymore. You might contact them to see if it still exists. www.milkmansound.com/2004...esis-3630.shtml

My personal opinion is it might cost the same as just buying a dbx or Behringer compressor would in the long run. Although some say after the mod's it sounds like a much more expensive compressor.

As for the clicks on the dbx units, I have heard that but never actually heard one do it. And I have used many differant dbx units including the 266 series.

> > > Tascam 424MKIII as preamp

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