Need help with basics and BR-8
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Posted on Jun 17, 2008 10:01 pm
liketobeinnyc
Member Since: Jun 17, 2008
Hi, I'm new to recording yet already way out of date. I was given a BR-8, Quatro USB Audio interface, and mic and pre-amp. Should I use the BR-8 alone (plug the mic right in) or am I supposed to use the pre-amp with the mic as well? I assume the quattro is for use with a computer and software, but I don't have this. Should I be using this somehow with the BR-8? Any suggestions? Thanks!
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 18, 2008 09:01 pm Welcome to HRC first off.
The BR is a stand alone unit and can record with or without the pre amp. The pre amp was probably more for use with the Quatro I would think.
As for software, I will ask what type of music will you be recording and how many different track do you think you will need?
Jun 19, 2008 12:39 am Thanks! I can't imagine needing many tracks- probably just for vocals, keyboard,a guitarist (as soon as I find one ;-) As for the rhythm, I guess that's just a guide and I would need a drum machine or drummer I guess. Mostly, I'm going to do acoustic simple stuff- folky pop/alternative stuff. Thanks for your help.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 19, 2008 09:27 pm Well to be honest you could get by either way. But if you want to be able to edit easier and do multiple takes and such easier then software is probably going to be the best bet on the PC for sure.
There are many programs out there from Free simple ones to full blown. I think it sounds like you might be looking at something in between.
There is a program that is very easy to use called Reaper. I'm surprised pjk hasn't been here yet to promote it a bit as he is a big Reaper user and loves it. Very straight forward and its a shareware based program so you can use it for awhile and if it fills your needs then simply send in whatever the cost was for it.
Otherwise Cakewalk has some killer programs all the way from entry level to the big Daw which I use called Sonar 7 Producer Edition. Not sure you need that type of app yet though. But they have some killer apps like Home Studio and lighter version of Sonar.
Jun 19, 2008 11:32 pm Wow, you've been so helpful. I was wondering what I was going to do with that Zip disk (doesn't seem to be a way to attach that old usb drive to a USB port).
Can I ask something else? I tried playing around with the quattro and it's old so I was able to install it but I'm not sure it's compatible with Vista. I don't see any way to download new drivers and I don't see a program to start. I'm beiginning to think I may not be able to use it. Any suggestions on how I might make it work, or if I can't a reasonably priced alternative?
Thanks again.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 20, 2008 07:22 pm I'll have a look in a bit and see if there are Vista drivers available. There should be I would think.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 20, 2008 07:29 pm OK, complete bummer on the Quatro being in the legacy section. So no, there isn't a driver available past Windows XP. Which means it won't work in Vista.
As for alternatives, do you want to have 4 channel's going in or can you get by with 2 channel's of audio i/o?
There are some decent low price alternatives for that.
As for the zip disk. Your new PC doesn't have a USB port on it? Or are you talking about the BR?
Jun 20, 2008 08:17 pm I'm not really sure about how many channels- I could probably do with 2 unless 4 weren't too much more expensive.
The zip drive is a 25 pin parallel device and my computer doesn't have one of these, so I guess I would need some kind of adapter.
Perhaps it is time to start from scratch. I do have a preamp and mic so that helps, I guess.
Thanks again for all of your time and effort.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 20, 2008 08:29 pm I see on the zip disk then. Ya with the fact that USB jump drives can be had for like 9 dollars for a gig zip drives don't make much sense anymore. Even though I do still keep one connected to my surfbox it doesn't get used very much at all.
I guess if you want to get your feet wet with both devices you can look at either something from M-Audio or even ESI for a simply 4 channel interface that will get you going.
When time permits I'll post a couple of alternatives for you to look at.
