Topic: new to taping

[bonovox]

I feel odd here.  

i've been lurking for a while, enjoying the site, reading techinacal stuff i don't understand.

BUT

i'm getting into recording.  this is something i'm delving into a bit.  i've had to turn away from my other vices, so my love of collecting live recordings is turning into making them.

I lucked into a good laptop with usb, and was wondering what you guys thought of for hooking my mics into it.

i've seen lots of people using hte UA-5 with mods and whatnot.   seems interesting, but i'm also wanting to record my friends band (experimenting really), so i'm thinking something along the lines of this would be better.  
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/Digital_Converters/Tascam_US-224.html

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the US 224, it seems like a good way to go.

thanks a lot guys

liam

[dmonterisi]

welcome bonovox...+t for joining...don't feel odd asking questions here, most people are friendly, just ignore any advice from a guy named Tim.

I have never used that particular piece of hardware (or seen it used), but my guess is that it would be very clumsy in a concert-recording environment.  the ua-5 is a great option for recording to your laptop.  

i would skim the topics of the archive forum and try and gather some info...start here and try to get an understanding of the whole process and signal path of the recorded sound and then think about what type of taping you'd like to do...there are several ways to get the sound from your mics to the laptop, and of course, some will sound better than others.  however, if you start with that link, you will be able to just substitute your laptop for the tape deck, depending on your hardware configuration...a lot of the beginning stuff is answered in the archive, but don't be afraid to ask questions and use the search function.  people will answer or direct you to the answer...most importantly, have fun!

[Tim]

just ignore any advice from a guy named Tim.

first useful thing you've said in months!

[dmonterisi]

just ignore any advice from a guy named Tim.

first useful thing you've said in months!

even a blind squirrel's gotta find a nut!

[Kindguy]

Welcome bonovox!

What kind of mics are you running?

[John R]

and only listen to half of what damon poops on.

jr

[BCostigan]

Welcome aboard!!  I'd find out a few things about the tascam:

- What are the inputs (xlr, 1/4", rca)?
- Does it supply phantom power? (I don't think it does)


If you're looking to record to a laptop there are many, IMHO, better solutions in the same price range.  As many have said the ua-5 is a great piece of gear weather going to a DAT, JB3, or Laptop.

You may also want to check out some other USB devices.....M-Audio and Soundevices both come to mind.

[Sean Gallemore]

oh yeah, Soundevices makes the USBPre1.5 but it can only be powered THROUGH the USB

[bonovox]

i thought it had xlr, but i can't figure out if it does or not.

looking through m-audio's site i think i've found an affordable alternative.  the mobilepre USB.  

here are the features on the mobilepre

<i> 2 x 2 USB audio interface
- ideal for mobile operation
- 3 types of inputs
      2 microphone inputs (XLR balanced) with 48v phantom power
      stereo desktop microphone input (1/8?)
      high-impedance instrument/line inputs (1/4? balanced)
- 3 types of outputs
      2 analog outputs (unbalanced 1/4? @ -10dBv)
      stereo line output (1/8?)
      stereo headphone output (1/8?) with level control knob
- gain control knob for each input channel (+40 dB max)
- zero-latency hardware direct monitoring with software level control
- mono/stereo direct monitoring
- USB-powered (no wall wart or batteries needed)
- includes software drivers for ASIO 2, MME, Sound Manager and Microsoft DX</i>

not sure about the mic's, my friend is giving me two nady condensors at a bargain price, as she got them from her dad for free.  i've heard stuff they've recorded, sounds good.  
i'd like to work toward getting some ADK's or something along those lines, but i want to see what i can get done by being thrifty first

working on getting a mount and stand/clamp.    only really plan on recording local shows, and the mix doesn't sound that great when just recorded through sbd.   so i'm working on getting the rig setup.  

thanks for the input guys.  once i get everything, or work everything out, i'll be sure to put pictures up.

[jpschust]

well here's the thing, if you are gonna get AC power, which im almost absolutely sure that requires there are going to be better options out there.  

[bonovox]

both are usb powered

[jpschust]

im still thinking against the tascam, even if usb powered... their pre's sound like... well junk.  

let's go back to what you want to do- do you need the ability for more than two channels?  what is your budget?

[bonovox]

i'm keeping the budget at a minimum.  i'll pay high if i have to, but i'm not looking to make extremely amazing shows here.  these are just for my personal enjoyment, and if the band permits, i'd make mixes of certain live tracks and give them out at shows.

i'm also trying to help my friends make a demo and feel that the tascam would help better than the mobilepre, but the mobilepre from m-audio is cheaper, and looks like a better package.

[Kindguy]

check ebay for the m-audio usb pre. Not sure what the run new. I saw one go for 200.00 the other week.

[cpclark]

with the stock ua-5 only being around 265 dollars with usb and a DIY digimod for standalone use if you ever want that,it would be the best low cost solution iMHO
-chris

[bonovox]

musicians friend has the mobile pre for 150, and the tascam for 200.

i think i may go with the mobile pre as its 110 less than the ua5, and imports through the usb.

[zhianosatch]

chris, your avatar is pretty damn hilarious

[Sean Gallemore]

if you aren't concered with making extremly awesome recordings for trade, buy a ua-5 (can be had for $250 on ebay?).  Run it USB into the laptop.  Bingo, your cheapest option.

[BCostigan]

if you aren't concered with making extremly awesome recordings for trade, buy a ua-5

Them's fightin' words!!

[Sean Gallemore]

if you aren't concered with making extremly awesome recordings for trade, buy a ua-5

Them's fightin' words!!

you know what I mean, brian?!?! I'm talking about the unmodded stuff

[BCostigan]

if you aren't concered with making extremly awesome recordings for trade, buy a ua-5

Them's fightin' words!!

you know what I mean, brian?!?! I'm talking about the unmodded stuff

keep diggin....the holes gettin deeper  

[Sean Gallemore]

*digs and digs.*  I have no experience, I was just trying to give this taper his cheapest option.  Obviously one of the preamp mods is better


I'll be quiet now

[BCostigan]

just bustin your balls Schwillis...

[Sean Gallemore]

as usual :-P

[bonovox]

hmmm, i thought i had posted a reply last night, guess not.

its not that i'm against making great tapes, its really that i just want to be able to get into it all now, not later.   with the equipment i'm getting, i'll be able to record shows with only spending a little less than 300 bucks.  mic's are only costing me 30, cause a friends hooking me up, i know there not the greatest mics, (i think they are nady cm88's,)

then the stand and the mounts, shocks and all that.     then a friend is going to reformat and partition the laptop, which is a pII compaq presario.

so yeah, its going to be a decent set up, not a great one.  i'll work up to getting a great one.

[Chuck]

"pII compaq presario"

Will this make the cut for location recording?

[bonovox]

"pII compaq presario"

Will this make the cut for location recording?

with some modifications, reformatting, and more ram it will.

friend of mine works at best buy in tech dept.   he's going to see what he can about upgrading processor and ram for cheap.   but this laptop will mainly be used in bars, not at clubs or any hardcore place.   i'm looking forward to getting the whole thing set up.