Recording Music

BTown · 10-04-2010, 02:43 PM

Me and my friends are looking to record some songs and I honeslty don't have any idea where too start. What exactly do I need to record? do I buy a 4-track? what kind of 4-track, or 8-track? I don't really know the difference beetween a 4 and an 8 track.

I can most likely handle the part pertaining to the software but other than tha I am lost.

Dom · 10-08-2010, 12:01 PM

4-track or 8-track depends on how many mics you're going to be recording from. For example, a 4-track recording would require 4 mics, etc. so really it depends on how many mics you either have or can get your hands on. 8-track+ will allow more individual editing and mixing to be done, but it's not necessary. It also depends on whether you're all going to be recording your parts simultaneously or separately.

BTown · 10-09-2010, 02:14 AM

Thanks, can you reccomend me a 4 track?

Dom · 10-09-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTown787

Thanks, can you reccomend me a 4 track?

I'm afraid not - I'm just in school doing music technology so I know a bit about it but I don't have much experience with anything except my school mixing desk.

mr dave · 10-10-2010, 04:25 PM

i'd say rent the gear for a weekend first before making the plunge in investing into a proper recording setup. just try a basic 4 track setup and see what you're able to accomplish with it and whether or not it suits your band's needs. most music stores offer some kind of rental service, they should be able to hook you up with everything you need (mics, cables, etc.)

Roivas · 10-13-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

4-track or 8-track depends on how many mics you're going to be recording from. For example, a 4-track recording would require 4 mics, etc. so really it depends on how many mics you either have or can get your hands on. 8-track+ will allow more individual editing and mixing to be done, but it's not necessary. It also depends on whether you're all going to be recording your parts simultaneously or separately.

A 4-track doesn't require 4 mics. You can use one mic to record, say, a GTR track and you'll have 3 tracks left over for overdubs.

Many 4 tracks only have 2 inputs available for simultaneous recording anyway (for example: Tascam Porta series).

After filling up your 4 tracks with overdubs, you can then bounce the 4 recorded tracks down to 2 tracks. That way you can free up an additional 2 tracks for more overdubs. The more you bounce, the more noise you get (especially when working with cassette tapes). Doing more than one print back is going to noticeably degrade the sound.

When I was a kid I used to record my voice and acoustic guitar using a set of cheap headphones as a mic!

**Janszoon** · 10-13-2010, 05:44 PM

If you have a laptop, you don't really need a 4-track. If you're just starting out, you're better off using GarageBand if any of have it, since it's free, and spending the money on a couple of decent mics.

Engine · 10-13-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

If you have a laptop, you don't really need a 4-track. If you're just starting out, you're better off using GarageBand if any of have it, since it's free, and spending the money on a couple of decent mics.

I agree. Unless you can't stand being digital - just use some software that offers you as many tracks as you want. You'll just have to figure out the best way (or way you like best) to get the sounds from your instruments into the computer.

Dr_Rez · 10-14-2010, 04:48 AM

Not to pimp a piece of gear but I just got a Blue Yeti Mic about a month ago and its fantastic. It records in 4 different mic patterns so that depending on what your recording you can get the best fitting mic. Best part is it records in analog. You can get one for about 100 to 150 USD.

I have made quite a few recordings with basses, acoustic/electric guitars, drums, vocals etc and all have sounded really nice for a mic that inexpensive.

http://www.bluemic.com/yeti/

Freebase Dali · 10-14-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RezZ

Not to pimp a piece of gear but I just got a Blue Yeti Mic about a month ago and its fantastic. It records in 4 different mic patterns so that depending on what your recording you can get the best fitting mic. Best part is it records in analog. You can get one for about 100 to 150 USD.

I have made quite a few recordings with basses, acoustic/electric guitars, drums, vocals etc and all have sounded really nice for a mic that inexpensive.

Blue Microphones | Yeti - The Ultimate Professional USB Microphone

10-04-2010, 02:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
BTown super cool Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 806	Recording Music Me and my friends are looking to record some songs and I honeslty don't have any idea where too start. What exactly do I need to record? do I buy a 4-track? what kind of 4-track, or 8-track? I don't really know the difference beetween a 4 and an 8 track. I can most likely handle the part pertaining to the software but other than tha I am lost. __________________

10-08-2010, 12:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dom Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: UK Posts: 120	4-track or 8-track depends on how many mics you're going to be recording from. For example, a 4-track recording would require 4 mics, etc. so really it depends on how many mics you either have or can get your hands on. 8-track+ will allow more individual editing and mixing to be done, but it's not necessary. It also depends on whether you're all going to be recording your parts simultaneously or separately. __________________ Last.fm No more stories / are told today / I'm sorry / they washed away // No more stories / the world is grey / I'm tired / let's wash away.

10-09-2010, 02:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
BTown super cool Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 806	Thanks, can you reccomend me a 4 track? __________________

10-13-2010, 05:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	If you have a laptop, you don't really need a 4-track. If you're just starting out, you're better off using GarageBand if any of have it, since it's free, and spending the money on a couple of decent mics. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

10-14-2010, 04:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,361	Not to pimp a piece of gear but I just got a Blue Yeti Mic about a month ago and its fantastic. It records in 4 different mic patterns so that depending on what your recording you can get the best fitting mic. Best part is it records in analog. You can get one for about 100 to 150 USD. I have made quite a few recordings with basses, acoustic/electric guitars, drums, vocals etc and all have sounded really nice for a mic that inexpensive. http://www.bluemic.com/yeti/ __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew