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help getting started with recording...please?

anonymous
Submitted by anonymous on Tue, 12/21/2004 - 07:40

Hey.

For awhile now, I've been trying to get started on recording. I was looking at stand-alone recorders, and I came across this piece of equiptment:

http://www.sweetwat… Sony MDS-JE480 MiniDisc Recorder/Player[/]="http://www.sweetwat… Sony MDS-JE480 MiniDisc Recorder/Player[/]

I had a few questions regarding this...

1. What is a mini-disc? Is it like a memory card or a mini-CD?

2. The "Specs" page says that it accepts Stereo (RCA) as an analog input. Does this mean I could plug my preamp into it and the mics into the preamp and record from there?

3. Does anyone have any objections to me buying this?

Thanks in advanced

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Profile picture for user JeffreyMajeau
JeffreyMajeau

Well, to put it in perspective, there is a reason why professional gear costs a bit. There's a certain level of quality you will not be able to crack with a $200 budget. That said, there are great deals on used gear of all varieties.

You can go either analog or digital. I dig the analog cassette Portastudios because you pick up some analog recording technique by using it, which is handy later if you ever get into a real studio.

Anyway, here's a few options, from MusiciansFriend.com:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=recorders/search/detail/base_pid/240340/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=recorders/search/detail/base_pid/240260/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=recorders/search/detail/base_pid/240834/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=recorders/search/detail/base_pid/241118/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=recorders/search/detail/base_pid/240987/

If you spend some time with these kits, you can get great results, and you'll learn all about mic technique, etc. If you spend some time doing this stuff, your results could even rival pro stuff.

Tue, 12/21/2004 - 11:57 Permalink
anonymous
anonymous

thank you very much for your help.

i am either buying one of those kits or a TASCAM CD-RW700 off eBay, so i am all set!

However, I would like you realize that my budget is $200 only for the recorder, not including mics and pres. Still, I don't have that much to spare outside of that.

Again, thanks so much for your help, I look forward to recording.

Tue, 12/21/2004 - 12:03 Permalink
Profile picture for user JeffreyMajeau
JeffreyMajeau

Just remember, good recordings are all about the loose nut behind the wheel! Nice, expensive gear doesn't automatically make recordings good. If you've got mics and pre's already, use what you've got with whatever recorder you choose and practice. Try to get the sound you want with a minimum of equipment. Rather than grab a knob, move the mic, etc.

It's really all about YOU and not anything to do with the gear. It's nice to have the "ringer" equipment, but even entry level stuff like cassette Portastudios (which are actually below entry level, IMHO) can achieve fantastic results. Stuff is good enough these days that it really comes down to utilization more than specs.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Dan

Tue, 12/21/2004 - 12:28 Permalink