I want to learn to record..

[joeln87]

Hey guys,

iv always wanted to be a producer when i get older and i have messed round with some minor recording on a lap top with a friend and a cheep recording program. Well now i want to get more serious and want to persue this. I saw a Mr-8 fostex digital 8 track record for about 299 in MF and i looks like a decent way to get started? Can yall give me some ideas, comments , insights on how i should go about geting into this?

thanks
joel

[Phil Macino]

Hi Joel,

Do you have much experience with recording concepts? A lot of the Studio in a box solutions, are musch easier to unstand if you already have a grasp of signal flow etc...

-Phil

[joeln87]

Ya....... about that... haha um for the most part i dont know anything. But im trying to learn. So to answer your question i dont know any studio concepts.thanks
joel

[MickYoumans]

Hi Joel,
I would suggest that you stick with the computer recording but venture into a more professional program. The following are some of the most popular that are capable of pro results; Cakewalk Sonar, ProTools, Cubase. Depending on which edition of the program you get, they typically start around $300 and go up from there. Instead of spending money on a limited hardware recorder, get something like a Tascam FW1884 DAW constrol surface to use with whichever software program you get. The FW1884 is around $1200 and would be expandable for the future unlike the machine you mentioned. There are some cheaper DAW's by Tascam and Event EZBus that are around the $500 range but they would not be expandable like the FW-1884. The cheaper ones will have at least 8 inputs but that will be mixed down to only two ouputs to your computer. The FW-1884 can send eight outputs to your computer through its firewire. I know on the Cakewalk site they have books available that will not only teach you about their Sonar program but about producing too. As computers will only keep getting more robust over time, this is definately the way to go. For $2000, you can have a great DAW mixer like the FW-1884, pro recording software and a couple of microphones which would be an awesome start if you are really serious about all of this. Also, if you go the computer route you don't have to buy it all at one time. If you already have a good computer, get the software to start with. That would run you about the price of the Fostex unit you mentioned above but the software would have far more capability. You'll find the Fostex unit will be pretty limiting over time with no capability of expansion. You can run a stereo 'line in' signal or microphone to the existing sound card until you can afford a DAW. I know the $2000 amount is way beyond the $300 you mentioned in your original post but don't think of this as having to spend that much and certainly not at one time. With just a $300 computer program, you would still be way ahead of the Fostex unit and would have the potential for expansion in the future as you have more money to invest in your dream. All of the big studios are heavy into computer recording these days. Good luck with what ever you do.

[joeln87]

Thanks for all info. but seeing as im 17 years old. Its gunna be imposible to come up with that much cash to invest into recording. Plus we have some mics and stuff.. but wouldent you need a bunch of pre-amps and power amps and converters and stuff to run in the computer. Plus i have no idea what im doing what so ever.

later
joel

[GaryNattrass]

As a seasoned pro audio guy of some 25 years in Film TV and Music I would say that something like the Fostex is an ideal way to start.

Is it the Fostex DMT-8? an 8 track hard disk recorder with an analogue mixing desk atatched.

This is what I had and still own as my first home digital recorder, you do not need to get bogged down with computers and software recording if you are starting off and what is more important is learning signal paths and how to use a basic desk.

The problem with a newbie to computer recording is that it is way too complicated and you need to be able to visualise what you are doing a lot more. Trust me I only got pro tools 6 months ago and I still cant understand some of what it is capable of doing.

The fostex gear is great because it was designed to work similar to traditional recording machines and is a good starter as they are very easy to use.

[joeln87]

Yes that is it. I am thinking that is what i would go for. What do you mean by laerning how to do signal paths and a basic desk. And where can i find out how to do all this?

thanks
joel

[GaryNattrass]

A book on home recording is your first port of call. There is also good information on this site www.soundonsound.com (http://www.soundonsound.com)

The Fostex will be a good way of learing about basic mixing desk functions such as eq, auxes and routing to tracks.

The fostex manual will also have about all you need to know about the basic operation of the recorder and desk.

[LSchefman]

I'm with Gary on this one, as I'm also a pro in the recording biz.

The smartest investment you can make is a decent book on recording techniques, and then more books!

Consider volunteering as an assistant in a studio...they're usually unpaid jobs for guys like you who want to learn.

And I agree, the digital standalone system you're looking at will give you the basic idea, sound good, and be capable of some nice sounding recordings. And that, after all, is the bottom line.

Take it one step at a time, and you will enjoy the experience, instead of being frustrated with it.

[GaryNattrass]

I'm with Gary on this one, as I'm also a pro in the recording biz.


Take it one step at a time, and you will enjoy the experience, instead of being frustrated with it.
That is SO true! there is nothing worse than trying to work some piece of software when you dont know the basics.

I still struggle with some of the terminology and still cant fly midi software correctly.

[joeln87]

Well guys, i appreciate all your help. so far i have looked at these.

zoom- http://www.music123.com/Zoom-MRS-8-Digital-Multi-Track-Recorder-i145952.music ( although i dunno how i feel about buying a zoom product..)

The fostex Mr8 http://www.music123.com/Fostex-MR8-i86089.music
( which i heard on harmony central that A. you can only do like 4 min or somthing on the stock card and it only has a few cards which work with it that are 150+ to get enough space.)

and the boss ones are pushing the envolope on how much i want to spend. Give me your imput. Remember im just a beginner and cant buy a Mac/protools set up or Cubase haha that all the Pros have.
still again. thanks for all the help you have no idea how much it helps me.
joel

[raptor5618]

What about those recorders that us tapes. Tapes are cheap and although they are only 4 tracks what is the chance that he will need a whole lot of tracks. IF I recall didnt the beatles first record on 4 track system and then mix them down to a single tack to get additional tracks.

I think that books would be good and then the cheapest capable system that he could afford so that he can learn the basics and then decide if he wants to move up system wise.

I got the computer software version and I am very computer literate but I think it would take a good deal of time to get proficient on the computer recording software where as I also have I think it is tascam tape recorder that I got for under $100 and read the short manual and was able to do some simple recording on it

[Peter]

Here's some advice from a different angle: after you buy something you can afford and figure out how to use, start recording like a madman. The best system to begin with is one that allows you to plug in an input, push record, and play. Try everything. Use what you have or can borrow as far as mics, effects, etc. go.
I started recording at 16, using a reel-to-reel 8 track, and the things I learned just by experimentation are more valuable to me than what I learned from books. Not to say that reading about recording isn't helpful, because obviously there's a lot of knowledge and experience out there which can help you.
But to start out with, have fun, use things in unusual ways, see what turns up. I think if you concentrate just on trying to make pro-sounding demos you'll get really frustrated.
My .02. Those times spent as a teenager recording music are some of the best in my life!