I know I can get a digital 8 track recorder, say BOSS for about $800 Can. and a decent condenser mic for upwards of $200,and I would have to get a CD burner unit for a few hun more at least.
But how does it differ from a computer set up built solely for audio recording, mixing?
What would I get (or need) to build a dedicated box, and how much is software for a decent set-up?
Of course i would need a mic still (or more) but can i get anything for the 1100 it would cost to get the 8 track/burner?
I need the basics too, I am afraid. I am not really up on lingo. What is this software all about anyway? Just way more tracks? Way more stuff? My desire was something to get me recording/playing, but would I be overwhelmed with the complexity of it all, thus reducing my playing time? Or is the pc route easy after you get the hang of it? Money is an issue. How set up would 1100 bucks get me?
This pc is an ancient p 133, (need I go on?)
Wouldn't want to jeapordize a new sys by using it for everything, and hard to justify to the wife a new comp, noone else can use. hahahah
Any help here is greatly appreciated. Unbelievably informative forum you people have here. Many thank youses. :confused:
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thanks Brian, I see your point. So the benefits are in many mor
thanks Brian, I see your point. So the benefits are in many more tracks, and control of?
I have a pretty wide open scope when it comes to creativity, and the last thing I wanna do is limit myself. My buddy's fostex 8 dig, (not sure model no.)
set him back 800+tax Can. and I know it has at least a 10 gig hard drive, with upgradability.
he just got it this year. so I think it's recent.
I don't know if I have the ammo yet to need more than an 8 track.
Do you know of how people get studio quality, outdoor/nature recordings?
Can't see you running a generator to power a comp or a unit. what is the solution there?
Maybe that is another topic eh?
A really simple soulution to getting quality outdoor recordings
A really simple soulution to getting quality outdoor recordings is to simply get an AC/DC converter for your 110 volt needs and use a car battery. Totally quiet and plenty of power for hours of use. I have a friend that plays old time music for civil war reinactments and has a small PA system built into an old trunk so nobody can see the system. He plays for several hours with no problems just using a deep cycle marine battery, a converter, a four channel mixer and a single C3000 mic. He has a couple of large car stereo speakers mounted in the sides of the trunk with holes drilled for grills and a 100 watt stereo amp.
You can get a small mixer, a good mic and a DAT to record your outdoor sounds using the converter.
Hey Leeko, I know what you're taling about juggling those choic
Hey Leeko,
I know what you're taling about juggling those choices - I've been using a Roland Vs840ex - it's 8 track all-in-one. I'd lay down 8 tracks, mix down to a CD, then bring it back in to lay down more tracks. My unit uses ZIP 250s for storage and says you can bounce internally but you can easily run into disk space problems quickly. Recently I was in Nashville doing some session work and they were using the computer deal - the differences are huge - but it seemed to me the price would be too. For me, it looks like I'll be picking up a Dell PC (aropund $800) and adding some ram then software... the whole thing will end up costing me about $1500 to get rolling. I'll then be using a boat load of tracks (not just 8) and have tons of control. BUT that's because I feel I need it at this point and the computer upgrade was long coming anyway. Even if I'd not wanted to do the recording, I was going to need the computer. I already have a decent mic (AKG D3000) so you see where I'm heading with this probably... I spent $1500 two years ago on the recorder and now I'm selling it for $500 - the technology improves so quickly that the value drops off the deep end. If you can afford it, the computer & software (regardless if its Mac or PC) is the best long term solution but these all-in-one boxes like the Boss, Fostex, Korg, Roland (etc) will get you going fast and cheap. You'll reach their limits pretty quickly though unless you're spending some more serious mone on the higher end stuff. Hope that helps.