Opinion on purchasing recording equipment

[chalie_holmes]

Hey all,
I really want to lay some of my ideas down.
I want to go direct with the bass though. In addition use the piano and probably a drum machine since I will not buy a set to record on.
Anybody have ideas on what I should get? Something reasonable that has very good tonal qualites and rather uncomplicated to use. ( I don't want to have to read 5,000 pages just to use the start button. What do you use? Help!
Thanks !!!!

[sonicus]

PROTOOLS !   Is pretty much  a current industry standard. If you get an  
affordable LE system  your sessions will be  compatible with even a high end and  very expensive   HD system in  a major studio. I was trained in the 1970's on HUGE  analog multi track gear such as AMPEX, STUDER, MCI, and ETC... and can tell you that we have really come a long way since then technically  and in particular the  size of the  equipment has really become much more portable!  GO PROTOOLS !  It is easy to use .
 
(Message edited by sonicus on June 19, 2009)

[olieoliver]

I personally like Cubase over Protools. I've used both and found Cubase to be more user friendly and Cubase includes some VST instruments Like Halion, Prologue.....
Both are good though and fairly inexpensive.
 
OO

[chalie_holmes]

Thanks guys! I'm so out of touch with recording anymore.

[olieoliver]

If you want to go portable there are some great digital multitrack recorders out there. I have a Fostex MR16-HD/CD. It's real easy to use and fairly inexpensive.
 
OO
 
(Message edited by olieoliver on June 18, 2009)

[olieoliver]

Hey Chalie, email sent brother!
 
OO

[terryc]

olie..going back to your 70's thread..I still have a working Akai 4000DS reel to reel recorder which I have used to record the band's I have been in when we played live.
Tape saturation sounds so retro.....

[cozmik_cowboy]

I was trained in the 1970's on HUGE analog multi track gear..... and can tell you that we have really come a long way since then technically
 
Yeah - nobody will ever convince me that analog doesn't sound better, but when I remember editing with a razor blade & tape..........
 
Peter

[sonicus]

That's it  EDITING! and punching in is far less challenging then with an analog machine,   and  to my ears a good running 2 track master 1/2 inch  tape machine @30 ips  with Dolby SR   DOES  sound better then most 16-bit 44.1 khz red book standard releases.
 
(Message edited by sonicus on June 19, 2009)

[sonicus]

16-bit 44.1 khz Red Book Standard= just means a regular store bought CD

[hieronymous]

I think it also depends on how far you want to go. Maybe you should get one of those portable digital recorders? There are threads here about those, like the Zoom - they have built in microphones so you can record rehearsals, acoustic instruments, etc., but you can also plug things in and record direct, and some allow you to multitrack as far as I know. If you just want a sketchpad to catch ideas then that might make more sense than going for a computer-based system. Search for Zoom (one of the brands)...

[sonicus]

A keyboard player friend of mine has one of those little ZOOM units, they use  flash memory. I am really impressed at how well it  recorded our jam. Hammond B3  two Guitars , Drums and  me on  Bass and Trumpet. It  made  a good well defined recording.
 
(Message edited by sonicus on June 19, 2009)

[lbpesq]

As I've stated on this board before, I LOVE my Zoom H2.  Don't leave home without it!
 
Bill, tgo

[gare]

Ditto to the Zoom H2..cant beat em for the price.
 
Sometimes I pull out my Tascam 4 track cassett..oppps..might be in the wrong thread again.

[sonicus]

I just might have to buy me a little ZOOM H2