I know this is off topic, but I’ve been finally getting back to playing and recording, instead of building amps/effects and buying/modifying instruments.
I get to my Tascam Portastudio 488 mk2 cassette 8 -track (I know, i know, i like lo-fi). I record a song, drums, then bass, guitar, vocals. Then onto another project and the freakin tape starts wobbling durring playback and record. Dammit!! I’ve had this thing for 6 years and never used it enough to get it to break down. Finally I start messing around to get the perfect drum and vocal sound, build a guitar cab simulator just for recording direct guitar, buy two more condenssor mics and my studio breaks!!!!
So what am I doing using cassettes??? I’m lazy and if you remember, very slow with computers. I never considered going digital, I thought that I would eventually graduate to Reel to reel, but I don’t think I’ll ever have enough money. I need a digital interface so I can record to computer. I can use my 488 as an 8 track pre mixer for drums or whatever.
I have audacity on my computer and want to use that. It’s an old computer, a laptop from 2001, but I might be able to get a real computer from 07 to use for this.
I’ve listened to Pillaging Matt and how you guys have just made these recordings with each other easy as pie and figured Spike or Dr.Neau or someone had any advice on what I should buy.
What do you guys use to record those tracks? I haven’t the slightest idea how recording to a computer works…..all I need is audacity, right?
The thing was working great until recently when i hooked it up to the computer to do final mix downs. I used the line output RCAs and channels 1 and 2 would not pan to left or right, which was weird. Then these symptons started. I’ve been on the computer for 8 hours now and I took the portastudio apart to try and get to the capstan belt. But I can’t fix this. And it’s prolly the motor. The thing is like 18 years old. I’m so bummed out. So so so bummed out. I was really excited about geting back to recording and then writing but now this… :(
here. it’s terrible! Besides the crap quality and playing. At first I thought I had really forgotten how to play drums
When I got the Neo, I was also considering going a PC/Mac-based direction, but I would’ve had to purchase a computer to host it. And since I really like having a console with physical faders in front of me, I went the Neo route.
The main downfall of the Neo in my mind, compared to software, is that at the mixing stage all of the panning/fading/etc. needs to be done manually. You can save a “scene” and load it at any time, but adjusting during the mix is done by hand.
A lot of people use the Neo for recording then dump all the tracks to a computer for mixing/mastering. We do it all on the Neo.
the 500 dollar price tag is what keeps me and alot of others from recording nice things. *sigh* rock and roll really is a rich mans hobby…like golf.
I put a couple different tapes in after posting this and had no problems, which is weird cos I experienced this with two of the same tapes. Both brand new. High quality. The other tapes I’ve used all seem to work fine./..for now.
So I hurried and tried to finish my test recording before the thing failed. I even got on the drum kit at 11:30pm. Just one take. So far so good. Hopefully tomorrow I can do vocals and the percussion parts, but to be safe I saved it on the computer.
I have a really hard time mixing and EQing in the first place
I’ve been waiting for you to “put up” for a long time. Very cool. I listen that and I CAN HEAR Ian Glillian show up. Sounds very Deep Purple (in the best way, and all of Mahine Head except SOTW is the best way). I like it. Especially like the fuzz, and the sound of your fingers on the frets.
We now use a Tascam Neo exclusively because Jeff DEMANDS it. However, we began with my BOSS Micro BR and audacity. In fact, all of my guitar, and all three tracks (layers) of my vocals on “Reception” are from my MNicro BR and then I mixed them on Audacity. Plus, Kara’s vocals on “Will You Be Found” are recorded on a Micro BR (that she borrowed, recorded in Philly, mixed by me on Audacity). I also have some stuff that allows me to recorded directly to PC.
The Micro BR is awesome, but has limitations. You can plug guitar straight in, use built in effects, layer tracks, mix, add reverb and other effects after, etc. all inside the BR, then pull out the SD card and push it into your PC for Audacity) Also, the built in mic is pretty good, but you can plug an external mic in too. The interface is not easy, takes time to learn.
{The spam filter here won’t let me post links, but you can get a used one on ebay for 60 bucks}
Jeff is resisting digital recording and mixing, but I would encourage it. Jeff is becoming very adept with the Neo, and I only benefit from his studio. In fact, our next release sounds technically fabulous (coming soon). I’m not complaining, we’re better off with it, but there are other ways.
Jeff is resisting digital recording and mixing, but I would encourage it. Jeff is becoming very adept with the Neo, and I only benefit from his studio. In fact, our next release sounds technically fabulous (coming soon). I’m not complaining, we’re better off with it, but there are other ways.
Psssst…the Neo *IS* digital recording and mixing… Just instead of a bunch of interfaces into a PC, it is a dedicated piece of hardware.
So from ‘85 - ‘99, I did all of my recording on a Tascam Porta-One (4-track cassette) that I got at the Schmidtt Music in the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth where I was taking lessons. The issue I ran into with that was not that it was analog, but more than if I wanted more than 4 tracks, I had to make a lot of scary decisions…like record 2 tracks then do a live mixdown to the other two (while recording another instrument at the same time) in order to free up tracks.
Not that you can’t get good stuff out of a 4-track cassette. I heard a story about this song on The Current a while back (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgJS0kYFp8g). Apparently the band put this together on a 4-track on their own. They tried to stick it on an album, but when they told the record company it was on a 4-track, the label demanded it be re-recorded in the studio. The brothers then somehow snuck the original 4-track recording onto the album and it got released.
After 13 years, the pulley between the flywheel and the tape rotor on my Porta-One broke. I tried to get by with rubber bands for a while, but they weren’t heavy-duty enough. So I went with a Sony digital 4-track that recorded to mini-discs. While that was better, still had the issue of only 4 tracks. Around ‘09, I bought a microphone that required phantom power…and the Sony didn’t have that. So, I used that as an excuse to get the Neo (new off of eBay…you can find great prices if you are patient). Funny thing is, I paid less for the Neo in ‘09 than I did for the Porta-One in ‘85.
Just remembered how they snuck it on. I think it was after the master was created but before it went to pressing, they simply tacked their 4-track version onto the end of the tape spool.
I do need something with less moving parts to worry about. I’ll go the way of the Neo eventually. But….welll I don’t wanna. I wanna keep my stinking cassette recorder.
I also wanna keep my stupid Isuzu rodeo with a broken transmission. I dunno what’s good for me.
I’ve heard great stuff from 4 track cassette. Weens early records were 4 track cassette, but that’s different. There’s an album from Dischord by Soccor Team called “Volunteer Civility and Professionalism” I THINK. Mostly 8 track reel to reel but a handfull of 4 track cassette songs and they sound great even tho they were digitally mastered or wutever.
The 60 dollars for a MicroBR sounds great. I’ll took into it and prolly have one in 6 months.
OH and Spike. The fuzz is cool. I used the same fuzz on both guitars and the casio keyboard. It’s a modified Fulltone Ultimate Octave with switches to drastically change the tone control and clipping. I also ran one of the lead guitars through an Octave divider and compressor before the fuzz. The lead organ is run through the fuzz and the clean through an OCD , Leslie Sim and Delay. All instruments but drums were direct through a cab sim. All effects hand built during long hours that I will never be able to get back. So nice to hear ya liked the sound! ....I thought I could hear the noise from my Jazzmaster over the entire track…I really need to shield the PU covers.
Really tho I consider myself a drummer (it’s safer to say so) and I wish I hadn’t posted such lousy drumming.
Tascam is releasing their next generation studio: The DP-24.
A lot like the Neo, but:
- Neo is hard drive, DP-24 is solid-state (to memory card).
- Neo readout is b/w. DP-24 is color.
- Neo has a digital in/out. DP-24 does not.
- DP-24 appears more user-friendly
- Neo has 4 XLR/TS combo and 4 TS inputs. DP-24 has 8 XLR/TS combo inputs.
Look for the Neo to be dropping in price. And also look for people selling them because they want to move to the DP-24.
I pretty much do bass direct from my GT-6B into the mixer.
Electric guitars: I used to always do direct, but I’m doing more amp miking now.
Acoustic guitars: Used to go direct for this also, but started miking when I got the Neo. I really prefer the miked sound, but I think it depends on where the guitar will sit in the mix. I’m moving to a dual-miking technique for when miking makes sense. Gives a really full sound.
I never did a pillage because i asked spike to join pillaging matt and he said “no! First rule of pillaging matt is dont talk about pillaging matt.
I finished my pillage of black keys and it turned out pretty well until i sung on it. Maybe i can fix it with distortion and echo and reverb and compression and a flanger. Everyone here has such a nice singin voice. Specially kara. I cant write if cant even sing
I cant do direct guitar because its 3 am when i record. I think im gunna get another mixer and then a microbr or something simple. No neo yet. Even at dirt prices.
I never did a pillage because i asked spike to join pillaging matt and he said “no! First rule of pillaging matt is dont talk about pillaging matt.
Not true. What I actually said was:
Heisenberg - 26 July 2010 08:50 AM
hey guys. Let me in. You need a third guy so you can unite in dislike of me. That’s how it works.
Heisey, you were already in the band once, pissed us off, caused a rift, solidified our vision in an inspired and elevated creative arc, were unanimously kicked out of the band forever causing the Dr and I to form a more powerful and beautiful bond, and are being considered for auditions again, but we just didn’t tell you. There are new band rules though, primarily surrounding drummers requirements to carry all equipment and prohibitions to microphones. Plus, there’s the whole spontaneous combustion concerns…
Plus, YOU"RE BREAKING THE FIRST AND SECOND RULES OF SPIKE CLUB!
Which is typical of me, funny to myself. But I did not say “no”, and in fact have been harassing everyone, including you, to pillage Matt ever since. Some have, others have not… yet… If I offended you, I am sorry. If I gave you the impression your music is not welcome, I regret that, because it is welcome and I eagerly await your first Pillage. I would love to collaborate as well. What I suggest is that you choose a Matt Wilson original and work out your own drum track. It does not need be, and should NOT be, identical to the original. It does not need to be elaborate either, more important is that the timing is accurate throughout, and the quality of the recording. (no hiss). Send that to me, then we’ll begin to scheme and plot…
