what would you suggest ?

[telaak]

Ok..first of all I usually record @ an outside studio with other players - but I have a lot of material in demo form that would take forever to record in that fashion...I'm on the fence about joining dispatch with a current catalog of less than 50 studio tracks...My questions..* What version of Sonar or something similar would you buy for this {yes..cost is an issue}* OR would a standalone recorder be a better investment, I currently have a Korg D8 but it's low end and a bit beat up @ this point. * I play bass, some keys, guitar & can do vocals..drum machine Ok ?..used'em before creatively..* Do most of you copyright tracks you "create" on the fly for dispatch and other listings ? {could get costly}* I have basic mic's..Sm 58, Sm 57, Beta 58, and a Rode Nt3 condenser..good enough sound quality ?I'm sure i'll have more questions to add to this later in the day..I'll also add that i'm Ok as an engineer..learned a lot from people i've worked with over the years..but NOT an expert..so whatever I buy - it can't be too complicated..thanks..john

[arkjack]

What is the configuration of your computer that you would be recording into? I'm going through this stage a bit myself and maybe my current research will be helpful. Let me know what the computer specs are.ArkJack

[ginstl]

John, my first question is what are your long range goals regarding how much time you want to invest into the learning curve of DAW software? Are you planning on recording your own stuff for the long run? Do you need mobile recording capability at this point or not?Greg.

[telaak]

Quote:What is the configuration of your computer that you would be recording into? I'm going through this stage a bit myself and maybe my current research will be helpful. Let me know what the computer specs are.ArkJackforgive me Arkjack - but i'm an idiot when it comes to computer stuff..I had a friend do some work {new guts/everything} to my 2000 compaq presario and that's what i'll be using if I don't buy a standalone unit..getting a hold of him or his wife is impossible..they're nice enough people but they NEVER return phone calls/emails {just the way they are}I also have a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop that's relatively new..I suppose I could use that as well..I dunno..if that's not enough info - thanks for trying anyway..and thanks for the myspace friend thing..gotta get over to your myspace shack & see what's up

[telaak]

Quote:John, my first question is what are your long range goals regarding how much time you want to invest into the learning curve of DAW software? Are you planning on recording your own stuff for the long run? Do you need mobile recording capability at this point or not?Greg.Greg.. I get frustrated trying to learn new things these days..took me a while to figure out my korg D8..wish that thing could get me the results I need..anyway..the simpler the better when it comes to that..and mobile recording isn't really necessary..I have a good friend who has a tricked out studio..been recording with him on & off for about 15 years..I plan to always record at an outside studio with other players - all I really need this setup to do is get me broadcast quality recordings of songs that I can bang out quickly..songs I either can't get recorded at an outside studio quickly enough for a listing - or songs that I plan to record in a bit of a minimalist way..I do a lot of that..thanks for any help you can send my way john

[ginstl]

John, I started with this when I went digital:http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/Guitar ... lt.aspThis is an easy learning curve, get right down to it DAW. It does not do midi but from what you describe as your needs at the moment, you're not needing to do that right now.a good thing about this is that you can get the quality you want and once you have it registered with cakewalk, you can get a discount to upgrade to Sonar later on down the road.It has a 30 day trial mp3 encoder built in and for an extra $25 you can unlock it permanently.the price is $139 for this DAW.Update:If you want to spend a bit more check this out:http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/PowerS ... fault.aspI have the 660 box that I bought for my laptop rig. it's really an edirol box and it works flawlessly.I use Sonar 7 and love it.Greg.

[arkjack]

If you saw my thread on Shoot!, I've been going through the growing pains. I just had a long session trying to work in Sonar LE. In terms of complicated, I have a long upward curve ahead of me to lean the software and become adept at it. Meanwhile, I still have my BOSS standalones that I can use to produce anything urgent. So, depending on your budget, you have some investment choices. When you check the Dell, it might run protools, depnds on the CPU, otherwise, you are looking at Sonar or Cubebase or something other than protools. You would also need a decent USB or Firewire audio interface that runs about 300. Some come with software, ie Edirol Firebox comes with cubebase. On the standalone, the Tascam 2488 I believe is the 24 track unit digital recorder and runs about 800. The other choice would be a Roland BR1600CD that runs about 1300. These are the two units in this price range that have MIDI I/O that would allow you to sync the tracks to a laptop based software down the road. The other units I've seen can only master. Depending on your engineering and musical skills, those units could meet your needs. Though, I have had some problems with getting to broadcast Q with my current set up, but that may be my skills rather than equipment.Hope some of that helps...ArkJack

[ginstl]

Broadcast Quality is a skills issue that never really ends as technology and music in general change.Greg.

[telaak]

thanks for the help guys..looks like I have to make some choices..sure wish I could get the sound quality I need with my korg D8 {really easy to use}..if there's any way to do that please enlighten me..probably not though..later..john

[ibanez468]

Quote:sure wish I could get the sound quality I need with my korg D8 {really easy to use}..if there's any way to do that please enlighten me..probably not though..Hey John,Why wouldn't you be able to get the kind of sound quality you want on your Korg D8? I have a Korg D16 (which I don't really use much these days, but will still pull out when necessary) and the TASCAM 2488 that arkjack referred to. I don't think either of these are much different than the D8, in terms of what you record. I record 95% of my stuff using the 2488. Of course, the TASCAM has more tracks than the D16, but I pretty much get the same results. I use a few outboard pieces of gear for my signal, but it goes straight to the 2488, and the quality of the tracks sound good to me. But I work diligently at getting as good of a signal as possible though, utilizing eq settings & compression before I hit record. I think the majority of the tracks posted on my TAXI page were done using either the TASCAM 2488 or the Alesis HD24 (which is still basically the same type of device, just more tracks to record on). Whether they sound acceptable to others in terms of broadcast quality, I could probably get a range of different opinions. But I've been fortunate enough to get several tunes forwarded using that equipment, so the quality must be O.K. I think you can use your D8, as long as the end result is a clear track. Quote:I'll also add that i'm Ok as an engineer..learned a lot from people i've worked with over the years..but NOT an expert..so whatever I buy - it can't be too complicated..Believe me, I'm no expert engineer either! But I've gotten fairly good results from time to time. I've just recently posted a link in this section of the forum that has an abundance of information on recording & production tips. Take a look at it, perhaps you'll find some usable information there to help you create the kind of recordings you're looking to get out of your D8. I can also suggest one top-notch engineering book that I purchased last year that had everything to do with me getting better recordings using my standalone equipment, if you're interested. In the meantime, stay encouraged. You may still be able to tame that monkey (Korg D8) more than you think. ibanez468