What to spend my money on (£300)
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Posted on Jul 30, 2009 12:52 pm
Analogue Junkie
I Don't Do Software
Member Since: Jan 26, 2009
OK I managed to save a meer £300 this year and want to look at upgrading my little home "studio".
I could replace the Tascam 4 track with something without tape, get a midi synth, get some speaker monitors, get a guitar and/or bass pod or a condensor mic. Or a mix of some of the above.
For reference it's just me doing everything so I don't need a huge set up (see profile for current gear)
Look forward to hearing from you all.
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 01, 2009 06:08 pm Well, the first question I'll ask since you don't want to use a PC and don't do software to record. Are you happy with the sound and use of the 4 track tape machine?
Also, a midi synth will be of no use really if you don't use software or the PC for recording. A simple straight up synth will do there.
Also, are you getting good sound with the other pieces of gear is there any of that you would want to replace if you are happy with the 4 track at the moment.
Aug 02, 2009 09:05 am Am I happy with the sound? - Well I know it could be a lot better if it wasn't tape and I'm sure there would be a huge difference if I used software. I guess that means, no, I'm not happy with the sound quality.
Why I want a midi synth - I'm trying to think forward here and there could be a chance that I'm forced to using software in the future which is why I was looking at a midi synth (just in case I give in)
Am I happy with the other gear? - Yep so far it's done me proud but a better mic wouldn't go a miss for vocals. Monitors are always better than headphones and I'm getting limited with just four tracks - bouncing tape is killing quality so I'd be looking for at least an 8 track recorder now. There's restrcitions (due to neighbours) of when I can crank an amp to record as well, so a di through a "pod" would be a good alternative. I may be able to stretch another £50 -£100 if it's essential. For now it's building bit by bit, better and better.
Without to much boring stuff it was easy to record on the four track live, with a band and get good results. But on my own it's getting frustrating.
I may have answered my own question here
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 02, 2009 10:01 am Yep, the capabilities of software vs 4 track is astounding. I can drop in 10 tracks just doing putzy stuff, and try combinations of stuff, drop 3 of them over here, copy this one there, move them 2 to the end, etc. Add easy visual automations, additions of new plugins, etc and it really adds possibilities.
But that opens up more possibilities: what hardware, windows / MAC / Linux, what interface, what preamps, what software, what types of plugins, etc.
It can be a whole new world, but a lot of times you hear people spend more time tinkering on stuff, than actually doing music (i've fallen into that trap many times).
If you do look into software, and are leary of windows, it can be set up stable and clean, so there's very little worry about how it runs. Setting up a PC clean for audio is the way to go. Lots of people do it, with great results. Course there's also the MAC world, but the $$$ for hardware can be prohibitive.
Aug 02, 2009 12:13 pm I've read I can use the behringer mixer I have instead of the usual comp interface. This would be good for me as I know what I'm doing with it already ( and do prefer a bit of hands on).
I've read and seen the pro's to software but because I have no experience with it, the learning curve puts me off. There appears to be so many variants and the decent ones come at a price. One I don't have :-(. . There's also possible issues with latancy which don't apeal at all. I also see more questions and problems on this forum regarding software than any other issue.
It would be great for me if there was some cheap hardware which gave me the flexabilities of software. I guess I'm never likely to see that now that everyone is going software :-( .
Aug 02, 2009 03:50 pm OK maybe a better question would be:
Digital 8 track or spend it all on a midi synth and software?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 02, 2009 04:47 pm I'll ask before answering that last one.
What are the spec's of your PC at the moment, CPU speed and amount of RAM?
And just a note on software. I'm surprised pjk didn't jump at the chance to preach about Reaper.
Have a look here, www.reaper.fm/ at Reaper. Those that have used it and gone that route are all happy little campers. It may not be a fully loaded Sonar or Cubase but it looks to me like a very stout well designed program that is more then capable.
Aug 03, 2009 06:35 am Currently - there isn't a usable PC at home. I have the laptop for home but this gets to much use to ba a standalone recording unit. However I can get hold of an old computer from family. As I understand, it is an old windows 98 comp so it isn't gonna be great. Again though I can get hold of an XP OS and ram upgrades easily from same said family member. CPU is an old pentium though. I figured it wouldn't be too bad as I'm only running one track at a time for recording. I guess the problem could be with playing back while recording the next track (eq playing back drums while recording bass then playing back drums and bass while recording synth etc etc), will it eventually have probs playing back six tracks while I'm trying to record vocals? I don't know it's all foreign to me - ha ha
This software idea started for me recently when I was offered some recording software from a friend. I said no thanks but maybe it would be the best for the future. It's a bit scary though as i have no idea what he has, what it does or how to record with it. What I need to get it running properly, how I'm gonna mute the fan noice off the PC when recording - all these nightmares.
He's got it and doesn't want it. It's an offer of a life time, but I could be on here every day - ha ha. Would I realy be that limited getting something like a Tascam DP02 instead? Or should I bite the bullet?
Reaper "looks" good though - cheers
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Aug 03, 2009 07:45 am I'd say add an outboard compressor to the list of 'what ifs'.
I remember the first time I hooked up my compressor to my 'lil Tascam 4-track... I was completely blown away! lol
Youi're gon'na want one of those down the road, at some time anyway, so...
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 03, 2009 09:59 am Yeah, reaper is a good choice, but the points I was making weren't specific to any one program, so I didn't want to seem biased =).
Anyway, the points you're making are certainly valid. An older PC can probably be made to run up to 10 tracks, maybe, with a little effects processing here and there. It's most likely that it'll run 6 tracks, as I've done this with old Pentium class PCs in the past. But, it's helpful to get a decent interface, a soundcard built for recording. So that may be another outlay of $$$ or £££ as the case may be.
To tell you the truth, I'm on the fence with the direction I would recommend. Although PC audio will open up a ton of new options, they may not be worth the trouble. PCs can be run very smooth, but it takes some dedication and clear vision on what the PC is looking for, and / or the software. Plus there's the DAW software, interface, etc.
If you're smooth in the desk world, then maybe a better desk is the way to go. I don't have any experience on them, so I'll step back from this one.
eh, i guess i'm not much help =).
Aug 03, 2009 12:53 pm Everyones opnion is helpfull here. It's a pretty big fork in the road..
If it helps anyone, I'm also a little short of knowledge on the modern "digi" desk when it comes to the editing. I really am looking at a bit of flexibilty here, instead of having to record a track from scratch or trying to punch in.
Eg. I record the drum machine on the fly and stupidly put an extra bar in before the chorus without noticing. What an idiot!
On tape this means starting from scratch but on the comp using midi (or audio) this wouldn't be an issue - highlight and delete the offending bar.
Question is will a digi recorder allow me to delete without having to start again?. I think it can but there's bound to be someone here who can confirm. And could you do this with multiple tracks at once - if there's a bit I didn't like and wanted to replace that section? All things I can't do on tape but could do on software.!
Sorry for so many questions but the gear I get now will be the final direction for some time.
Aug 03, 2009 04:53 pm OK read alot of the Tascam DP02 manual and editing is pretty good on paper.
Anyone know what it is like in practice?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 03, 2009 06:09 pm If your looking at the new DP02 it is a very nice recorder. A nice step away from the traditional small format digital of recent. It has dedicated knobs for some of the things that were only accessible from tiny little menu's before. The other editing is still a bit tedious but that is to be expected with any portable unit like that.
I've heard pretty much all good things about that unit so far.
Aug 04, 2009 06:27 am Cheers.
I figure the DP02 HD would be the best bet as CF is so limited and can be unreliable over time.
I think it would be more "up my street" and it's really only the editing side of recording which sways me towards software at the moment.
I need to go have a think about wether to raise the cash for one and hold off on some of the other gear or go with my friends offer of some software. I think the general concensous is that software is far more flexible but only if you know what your doing.
Everyones input has been helpfull, so thanks.
Hopefully I'll be back to let you know what I've done soon.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Aug 04, 2009 08:00 am After being fully-prepared to go down the 'stand-alone-DAW' road, I had a similar 'think-about' back in 2002, and after choosing the software path, have not looked back. The editing features alone makes it worth any of the monetary strides, and learning-curves.
If you have a friend offering you some software to try, give it a whirl.
Aug 04, 2009 12:59 pm I may have to flip a coin at this rate - hee hee
I agree with you Hue it would be great to just "give it a whirl"
I'll see if I can find out what my friend actually has so I can see what system requirements it "requires". Like Noize2u states, having a decent system is key to software recording. It's also added that I may only get 6 tracks playback before an older CPU gives me issues so I can't be comparing the "ideal" system to a new stand alone unit. I have to think about what I can actually do now.
I'm also going to see if a local music shop has a DP02 I can take a "hands on" look at. I feel I got burnt a little going with the media hype around the mixer I have, so am really playing it safe this time.
Cheers again
I
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 04, 2009 05:16 pm Indeed, if you have a local shop that has a DP02 then for sure go have a look. The nice thing with that unit is that even if you later go to software down the road the DP will not be wasted and sit aside. You can easily transfer tracks out into any DAW to do a final mix or what have you. So that would be a win win even going that route to start.
Aug 05, 2009 12:57 pm Had a good phone round some stores to see if they have a DP02 I could look at. Only one place had it but they wouln't let me play with it because it wasn't a "demo unit". If I did have a go I wouuld have to buy it which isn't going to happen because I can get it cheaper on the net anyway - idiots
Noize2u's latest post is probably the most influential post so far. I'm liking this idea of being able to use it with a DAW in the future if required. By then I'd be well practiced with the unit's features and menu system.
I think I may have made my decision. I can save a little more for the DP02 HD and also get the discs off my friend for the future. BONUS.
Thanks everyone - simetimes it just helps to go over these things in public.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 06, 2009 07:58 pm Cool, glad we could help you work it out.
And indeed you are right. Its nice to simply hear the different idea's that others come up with and give yourself a bit more to mull over. always works for me.
