Digital Multi-track Recording

[Shotgun 1]

Anyone on here into digital recording?

Just curious... thinking about getting a small recorder.

[MikeJD 0]

Keely,

I looked at getting a hardware digital multitrack recorder a couple of years ago, but then someone asked why I didn't just buy software instead. So I upgraded my version of Cubase VST and installed it on my PC. No regrets at all - it's so cool being able to do everything inside the computer - midi and audio recording, editing, mixing, effects - and of course having the graphical benefit that you're never going to get without a computer screen. Plus, your options for upgrading are much better.

As long as you've got a powerful enough PC or Mac, I'd say think about software before shelling out for an expensive box. You don't even have to spend very much - there are lots of amazingly cheap programs out there.

Obviously you need some means of getting the audio into your computer, but that sort of hardware is seriously cheap by comparison.

I guess there are factors like portability that might be important to you, and if you want to record multiple audio tracks at once then you might find it easier with a hardware recorder - but otherwise I can't think of many good reasons to go down the hardware route.

Hope this helps!

Mike.

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[Mixxit 0]

I've been into recording and engineering for years. Aside from my day job, I do some side work recording and remixing and such. I agree with the above. PC based recording is probably your best bet. There are literally endless options for recording, mixing, instrumentation, etc. Even if you don't have a fast PC, it would probably be more cost effective to build a PC and get some software than it would to buy an off the shelf multi-tracker. Remember to get a good sound card. If you're looking to record commercial quality stuff, you'll need to get a commercial quality sound card. You'll need lots of memory too (think 1GB or better). As far as software goes, there are endless options. On the inexpensive side, there is Cool Edit Pro or Sound Forge. If you want the big time stuff, think Pro Tool or Nuendo. If you want more detailed info, feel free to PM me. Just what us skydivers need. Another expensive hobby...........

[Shotgun 1]

Thanks, Mike...
I was originally thinking about using my computer, but now I'm thinking I would rather have something portable. I've been looking at the Tascam PocketStudio (http://tascam.com/Products/PocketStudio5.html), but I don't know much about it other than the reviews I've read. Have you ever played with one of those little portable recorders?

I mostly want it to record simple acoustic guitar/vocals, but I might play around with the MIDI stuff too. Nothing serious, I just want it for fun... but I would like for it to sound good.

I do have an old version of Cakewalk Pro Audio, but I'm sure it is very outdated by now. I'll check out the Cubase VST... I think that I can use something like that in conjunction with the PocketStudio since it uses CompactFlash to record on, but not sure about that...(???)

What sort of stuff do you record?

[Shotgun 1]

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Just what us skydivers need. Another expensive hobby...........

Yeah, I'm trying not to turn it into an expensive hobby, but...

For mostly acoustic guitar/vocal stuff, would you still think the PC-based recording is better? One of my main concerns there is that the room I have my computer in is probably not the most ideal room for recording in, and I don't really want to move it.

My guitar sounds best in the bathroom, and people might think I'm weird if I have a computer set up in there.

[MikeJD 0]

Keely,

I haven't use any of the digital machines - when I started out it was all audio cassette multitrackers
and, if you were really serious, open-reel tape machines!

I record a variety of stuff, mostly using midi instruments but including bits of my own seriously lousy guitar playing - which is where easy cut-and-paste really helps! - and vocals, mainly by a singer friend of mine. Funny, her 'vocal booth' is the bathroom too! I hang quilts up in there to deaden the reflected sound - I find it better to start with a dry recording and add all the reverb in the mix. If you actually record in the bathroom you might be surprised how 'boxy' and indistinct the sound is because of all the reflections. Of course recording to a computer from a separate room is really a 2-person job, so I can see why a portable machine might work better for you.

One other thing about computers is that the standard cooling fans they have fitted are often noisy, so if you're recording vocals and acoustic guitar that can be a problem is you're a one-girl operation and having to play and sing in the same room as your computer.

I'm using quite an old version of Cubase since my machine is seriously outdated now - it's only got a 950MHz processor and 512MB of memory, but I get no performance problems at all. If you ended up buying new software you might well need a better spec than that.

Mike.

[Shotgun 1]

Thanks for the advice, Mike.

I used to have one of those cassette 4-tracks, but I could never get anything to sound good (maybe 'cause it was a crappy one, or maybe it was just me!)... So I'm wondering if the newer digital ones are any better or easier to use.

I just had a look at Cubase SX3. Looks pretty cool, but they do recommend a 2.8 GHz processor, so I'd have to do a little upgrading before getting that too!

Thanks again for the advice! I'll let you know whatever I end up getting...