Getting Started Taping

[Embalmedlenin]

Ok I bet you get this question all the time but how can i get started taping.
I want to do it in dat format.
could you list the equipment i need to put together before i get started thanks
Any suggestions would be much appriectiated
David

[hexyjones]

Here come the UA5 fluffers!

[hexyjones]

Ok I bet you get this question all the time but how can i get started taping.
I want to do it in dat format.
could you list the equipment i need to put together before i get started thanks
Any suggestions would be much appriectiated
David

The first question to ask yourself is: "Do I really want to use DAT?"

DAT is outdated...not even sold by some of the big gear-houses anymore...the blanks are getting more expensive...transfers are done in real time...

Many folks have switched over to the Hard-Disk based, Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 - they are available for around 150.00 bucks...sometimes. Get one NOW - because - I swear the price is actually going up on these things...!!!

(and note: there really are no comparable devices to the JB3...it's ability to record at 16 bits from a optical/digital input set it apart from all other devices like it - nobody knows why Creative added that feature...which has since been removed on subsequent products)

Also - take inventory of where and when you want to record...try to determine of you need a rig that is totally portable (DC power) or will you be recording in places where you will always be able to get AC power...?

[aberg]

Then consider if you will be taping only taper friendly bands or in stealth situations. They will be the biggest determining factor as to what gear you need to buy. The other is your budget. But I also recommend the JB3... you really can't go wrong.

[bagtagsell]

a good starter rig, for open tapng, will cost somewhere around a grand.  I always buy used, b/c of the money saved, plus you can almost always resell it for the same price

[hexyjones]

a good starter rig, for open tapng, will cost somewhere around a grand.  I always buy used, b/c of the money saved, plus you can almost always resell it for the same price

A grand? - Bull

It really pays to shop around...work ebay...

My entire rig cost a total of 214 dollars...for everything...see my sig line...

[urobouros]

My rig listed in my signature ran me $755.  I got the JB3, mics and the mic cables from ebay.  My optical cable came from soundprofessionals.com and the ua-5 came from oade.com.  I got a 9' stand from ebay for $30 with shipping.

[BJ]

Here come the UA5 fluffers!

I will say that for the money...<200$ for both preamp and A/D..that yes..I will fluff the ua5, having used one for almost a year...and listening to many recordings...its hard to beat...

besides the fact that you cant find the THD specs to support that GR8! sound and versatility in the field....you will be hard pressed to find somehting that cheap that sells for less...

there are several mics that are at lower cost that provide excellent results too....
again..it all depends on your applications and your budget....
post when you figure out that..and more comments will follow

[willson486]

i'm just getting started wtih my new rig - i only did SBDs before...

I'm running used AT853s (sp-cmc-4s) > Battery Box > Tascam US-122 > Dell Inspiron 8600

AT853s and battery box with cables was $165 used (a year old), Tascam cost me $200, and Dell was $1600.  so I actually sit around $2000...but the laptop is not just for recording, and pretty soon, when I stop taping in just local joints, I'll need to ebay for a JB3.

which will bring my rig to around $550