ATTENTION FRIENDS LIST

[lemonmerchant]

I feel it is time for me to catch up to the 1980's and see about getting a 4-track recorder for the purposes of fsking around with recording.

Thankfully, it's the 2010's, and I imagine I can get significantly betters stuff for relatively cheap.

Suggestions? Especially from anyone who has been involved in such hijinx?

Comments

[mejoff]

Well, if you're not wedded to the idea of analogue, there are plenty of free apps for recording on your computer. I use Mulabs, and the free version of the latest build is a 4 track.

[lemonmerchant]

Huh. Well, I need to get a mic one way or the other. I don't see any reason why not to start with Mulabs and then if I want something analogue spend the $150 (two pounds fifty) I can.

[chshrkt]

For Mics you can not go wrong with a Shure SM58 for recording vocal stuffs, and Shure Beta57 for instrumental/sound FX stuff.

They are bullet proof and industry standard. You can pick them up for ~$99 each and you are set for almost any mic needs you have.

They do have different tonal qualities, so experiment with using one mic to record something, then the other.

As for 4-Track recorders; if you want to go old school, the Tascam and Fostex cassette recorders can be picked up on eBay for a song. (hahaha, get it?)

I used one of these for years when I worked in a recording studio in college and loved every minute of using it for recording "environmental" sounds for the band, or when they wanted to record a couple tracks in a unique sounding location.

Of course, the latest are all digital, which you can upload to your computer with minimal fuss, so DON'T spend a ton of money and go with what you feel comfortable with starting out.

Just my $.02

[lemonmerchant]

First, I noticed and approved of your typo catch. Nicely edited, sir.

What I really need is a lavalier mic with a little foam cover that I can slip next to the bridge of my viola. It's what the guys from Bangers and Mash do, and it seems to work really well.

There are mics that you can slip under the bridge, but I have heard mixed reviews about those.

[chshrkt]

The stealth edit was not so stealthy I guess... lol

I have not used lavalier mics in that manner, they were not that good back in the day. For string instruments, putting the mic too close tends to pick up all your finger movements on the neck. But that was just what I noticed with the couple of folks I recorded (maybe bad technique? I last played violin back in 4th grade).

For solo recording I usually had two mics on stands that were about 3-4 feet above and to either side of the musician aimed at the f-hole, then when I was feeling particularly artistic, I slapped a PZM on the wall of the room we were recording in for some organic reverb to mix in later.

[amazon_42]

Oh no no no, do not clip a mic under the bridge. Bad. It lets the evil out.

[amazon_42]

I'm wondering if my HS radio station still has their mixers and so forth. Of course they've gone digital years ago, but if the place is it's anything like it used to be, that back room still looks like an episode of "Hoarders"...You may be able to set up an entries studio for free (or "nominal donation"). Let me check.

Thread Hijack -

[carrot_khan]

Only because I do not have your email.

But the answer is yes to your observations. Expanded thought process discussed at your leisure.