Recording (without computer)

[daryl]

Just thought I'll get some help here. I am very bad with computers and I find the constant maintenance issues irritating. I was wondering what other alternatives there are?

I do not search for a industry standard kind of sound, a lo-fi sound would do fine. I am looking to record mainly drums, vocals, guitar and piano.

I am also curious with the concept of "bouncing" tracks. It gives a lower quality sound but that somehow is desirable to my ears. So, a basic 4/8 track would be enough for me.

So, if I'm not wrong, I am just looking for a recorder. I have a Wharfedale Pro Pm600 mixer which I think should be fine. So the lineup would be something like sound > mic > pm600 > recorder?

Portability would be a huge plus.. Does anyone have any specific products/range of products they would like to recommend? Thanks a bunch.

Edit: Oh, and budget shouldn't be a problem. Unless it's ridiculously expensive.

 

[soft]

You might want to consider one of those multi-track recorder. Check out http://www.sweetwater.com/c557--8_to_12-Track_Digital_Workstations

 

[blueprintstudios]

i'm an owner of a Korg D888 (about $1.1K-$1.2K) and it serves me well for my mobile recording so far. just can't record too much or store too much on it, otherwise it'll lag, so MAINTENANCE is still a must no matter what, but definitely easier than maintaining a computer.

"bouncing" tracks , well I heard it depletes quality, but almost inaudible unless you got a hearing of a bat. or you bounce 1000 times..

if $1.1K don't sound too friendly to you, you can try the Zoom H4 also. then sound > Zoom H4
or Sound > mics > your wharfdale mixer > zoom H4 inputs.

 

[seekz]

Most portable DAWs nowadays can digitally bounce tracks without sound degeneration. So it'll be okay if you buy the right one.

Btw I dont know what you mean by recording without a comp.

I've got a Tascam 424 MKIII, pretty funky stuff

 

[daryl]

Blueprintstudios: I'm eyeing that d888.. but maybe i'll try the zoom too since its cheaper.

seekz: recording without a computer as in i'd want to use either a tape(analog) or digital(korg d888) recorder. the 424 mkIII is a tape recorder right? That must be tonnes to fun to play around with hehe

Sounds cool, thanks guys for the input!

 

[blueprintstudios]

no prob man, d888 records 8 tracks individually. unless you got another $600+ more to fork for the D3200, which records 12 tracks and more. heavier, more heavy duty.

my D888's warranty recently ended.seriously it doesn't look like the recorder / mixer is going to break down any time soon. but i'm more concerned about the "hard disk" inside it going kaput. gd news though I asked city music they said they could replace the 40gb hard disk inside if it blows. or even pimp it up with a better/bigger hard disk.

so my view is, 8 simultaneous tracks should be enough for you for $1.2K or just go for a zoom H4 @ $300-$400. running on SD Cards and AA batteries, super mobile heheh.

 

[seekz]

Just went to check out SOS. Oh my... the D888 looks awesome!
You own one, blue? totally fits your line of work man! good choice

 

[blueprintstudios]

haha yeah.could say it changed quite a bit of my life. I may plan to get a Zoom H4 too , then slowly save for the Korg MR1000.. waiting for the price to drop.