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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: icarus on July 22, 2013, 03:20:37 PM
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Hello, I made my first recordings this summer with a Tascam DR 08. I record outdoor festivals and inside too. It eats batteries too. The Tascam provides good sound quality but isn't equipt with a mount for a stand. There in lies the rig question.
I am planning on buying a basic clamp from Walmart and a light stand. I'd like the stand to be over 10' tall with a small yet sturdy footprint. I've read that when you buy cheap you get cheap, however I'm looking at the Ravelli ALS full air cushioned on Amazon for 24$:
http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-Cushioned-Included-Adaptor-Equipment/dp/B003TM600U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374520029&sr=8-1&keywords=light+stand+10%27
Or the PBL light stand for 30$.
http://www.amazon.com/PBL-Spring-Cushioned-Locking-Collars/dp/B007L9KVQQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1374520284&sr=1-6&keywords=light+stand+10%27
Other suggestions?
I'd also like a suggestion for rain protection? Umbrella?
Then I'm going to purchase a Dell laptop to manage recordings versus a more expensive Mac. What programs do you use?
PS I'd like to thank Bill during the Canandaigua show for being friendly and supportive to a shy and inexperienced newb:)
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Either stand looks perfectly fine.
I personally use this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253067-REG/Impact_LS10AB_Air_Cushioned_Light_Stand.html
An umbrella is definitely a nice accessory to own. You obviously don't need a large one, but if you look around local hardware or drug stores during the summer you can probably find an umbrella with a clamp.
Something like this (except obviously one that has the option to run parallel with the stand): http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1342558
I use a mac so not sure what Windows programs are most popular, but lots of people seem to use CDwave to track, Traders Little Helper to encode to FLAC. I use Audacity for pretty much everything. Its free and is cross platform.
And final PSA: You will get better recordings if you use external mics. The Tascam is not designed as a particularly high quality recording device, especially for what we do (recording amplified music from a distance), and it certainly doesn't have any kind of microphones worth writing home about. You would be obviously adding more money and extra steps into the rig, but you would be doing yourself a favor by not just relying on an inexpensive handheld recording device as your main rig. Just sayin'. A legitimate beginner rig can be had for under 200 dollars, and you already have the recorder, which is a good start.
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welcome to the world of taping, with never ending questions!
i would agree with the impact stand stand, they make good stuff, i use a creative light stand and love it. and windtech or on stage makes great clamps to mount stuff.
for windows i would recommend wavlab or for free wavepad by nch is great! i use it.
for rain protection i use an umbrella made by ted gakidis, who is a cable maker and everything taper maker. if you need to get in touch with him i can give you his email.
and id also second the idea of external mics, check out church audio for a great microphone setup for a great price, like $300.
always feel free to ask any question, we are hear to help
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I use the following programs:
Audacity (freeware for normalizing, editing, and such)
CDwave (for tracking)
Traders Little Helper (checksum files and flac).
Also would suggest external microphones. I like the following and are some good deals on used ones right now:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=163616.0
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=162546.0
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=163559.0
The mentioned GAKbrella can be found at but looks like he is out of them now:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=127412.0
Then you need to get you a preamp.