Recording

[Hate Is Art]

Me and my friend are looking into buying a cheap 4-track or a cheap 8 track so we can record out own music. Thing is I know absolutly nothing about using one, what to look for, what I need etc etc.

Any help you can give will be very welcome.

[Comrade BNS]

Ok first of all, i would suggest not skimping out and just going for some $400 analogue 4 tracker....waste of money! Check out the new roland and boss series of portable recording stations. Look at getting one with digital tracks, as buying analogue in this day and age would be an utter waste!! also depending on what instruments you and your friend play, you might wanna get a station with an inbuilt drum machine or one that can jack to an external drum machine.

Boss BR-1180 (http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?catid=12&subcatid=48&prodid=BR%2D1180%2F1180CD)

only had a quick look around, though this probably looks like something that'll be right up your alley. I suggest you do a bit of research on the net, then go down to your local music store and tell them what you are looking for and see what they can tell you.

hope that helps.

Comrade BNS

[DaCuBaN]

It of course very much depends on what style of music you are looking at. An old 4-track might be exactly what you need.

The best option to see if things are going to work out is your PC. There's lots of sound engineering software out there (loads of GPL stuff if you're into linux)

[Hate Is Art]

Well we are looking do some stuff with acoustic guitars, keyboards, drums, kinda indie-pop but really experimental. Just a bit of everything really.

That Roland Boss looks pretty cool, a bit expensive though!

[Chad King]

Hey now! My old band had some good ol' times on a shitty 4 track analog recorder, its all about using what you have when doing indie based things.

My next goal is to get a Powerbook and do a solo Pedro The Lion style project.

[Comrade BNS]

4 track analogues may be trendy, but they are certainly not worth the $$. And also an option to consider is if you have a decent high end computer and don't particularly need a portable recording station, Pro Audio, or Wave Alta-Audio or some other recording software might be the go, as most programs are a similar price to the decent portable recording stations.

Comrade BNS