Recording to four track cassette recorder

[mbillings]

I have an Alesis Micron and am purchasing an SP 606 in a few days. All sound (beats, guitar, etc) will be coming from the SP 606 and Micron and vocals that I'll be singing. I'm interested in buying a cassette recorder to record all of this stuff to in order to get some analog warmth. I already have a decent computer setup but I'm not interested in using a computer for anything anymore except putting the final product on.

I have a few questions for those that are experienced with four track cassette recorders.

1) I will definitely need more than four tracks - one for SP 404, one for synth, and at least four or six tracks for vocals since I do a lot of doubling. If I'm using a PortaStudio or something similar, can I mix two recorded tracks down into one after I've finalized those two in order to free up tracks?

2) Any recommendations for four-track recorders? I'm on a budget of about 100 dollars.

3) Is this attempt at a creative approach of recording completely pointless / nonsensical?

Thanks!

[mbillings]

Also, when recommending recorders, all I really need is EQ and panning capabilities. I have a mixer so I don't need phantom power, etc. if that makes a difference.

[Meteorologist]

1) Yeah, you can bounce tracks on a Portastudio. I'm pretty sure most 4-tracks can do that.

2) Used Portastudios, man. I got one of the originals off of Craigslist for 30 bucks, it works great.

3) It's what I do and it works just fine, hahaha.

[ghost bazz]

right on! I think you'll find leaving the computer behind to be a major creative stimuli... and also notice your ear getting better, and that pain in the back of your neck going away.

it's a bit of a step up in budget, but I'd also look into getting an 8 track. Something with a lot of internal memory... or using CF cards possibly. With the internal memory you can save the expanded versions of your track, depending on what the future applications may be.

Being able to midi-sync multiple devices may also be a concern for you in the future when you pick up some more pieces of hardware to add to your mix.

Whatever you decide on... best of luck with it homie!

[mbillings]

Yeah right now I'm actually using an Alesis MMT-8 as the main sequencer and was originally controlling my SP404 and Alesis Micron. I sold the SP404 for the SP606 and while I've been tracking in ProTools, Logic, or Ableton for the last few years, I'm looking at a more organic way of recording. I'm thinking a digital 8-track might be the way to go as you mentioned. The Roland VS 880 seems to be popular.

[soundexp334]

I would try and buy one with some type of memory ( compact flash ) I have had several tape 4 tracks ( yamaha, tascam ) and I loved those things but if you keep rewinding the tapes you lose quality, plus the length of tapes isnt as long as it only takes up one side.

[mfox]

Alright! no compies for the win! we use a very similar set up my friend. i use a 404 with a roland sh201. when it came to recording i didnt want to use the computer cus it just didnt feel right to me. im all about analog. but... when it came to practicality for recording i ended up going with the boss-600 (eventhough it's digital). but if you're workin with $100... ive heard good stuff about the tascam portastudios. id just run the mixer into it and try to do as much stuff live at a time.

[iG9]

i use a 414mkII portastudio copped off ebay for 60 bucks that does the job quite nicely. one caveat though is that blank cassette tapes can be hard to find. at circuit city i got bounced around till they finally found some in the back. thrift stores are another place i've had luck. sad was the day i found out maxell no longer made the xl2. =(

[mbillings]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I've decided to go the digital route and just spend a little bit more money. I'll look into that Boss that was mentioned and I'm still trying to find out more about the Roland VS 880. Has anyone had any experiences with these? Also, has anyone had any experiences with the Tascam DP-02CF? It seems very intuitive. I don't need any effects since I'll have my SP606 and I have a mixer so I don't need many inputs.

[ghost bazz]

...has anyone had any experiences with the Tascam DP-02CF? It seems very intuitive. I don't need any effects since I'll have my SP606 and I have a mixer so I don't need many inputs.

I use a Tascam DP-01FX and have been really pleased as far as it's recording capabilities/HD space/performance with other hardware. I don't really use any of the effects aside from a bit of reverb from time to time... controls are all really easy to grasp and find your way around. The DP-02 looks dope... either the cd one of the CF version. I would gamble that it's equally on point.

You could get a "portastud" for $280! deal!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=241813

[modulr]

I use a Tascam DP02-CF, and it's really nice if you need straight forward tracking. Editing is easy too. Def dig using it. The EQ's is just a hi/lo shelf which kinda sucks, but ultimately I dump everything down to a Tascam 134 cassette 4 Track. If you are into the sound, cassettes just mush everything a certain way that sounds nice imo.

[ghost bazz]

I use a Tascam DP02-CF, and it's really nice if you need straight forward tracking. Editing is easy too. Def dig using it. The EQ's is just a hi/lo shelf which kinda sucks, but ultimately I dump everything down to a Tascam 134 cassette 4 Track. If you are into the sound, cassettes just mush everything a certain way that sounds nice imo.

that sounds like a cool process... do you bring it back to cd ultimately? and if so, how?

I'm currently sitting on a porta02mkII and was planning on giving it away this weekend to a friend, but I haven't had a chance to test it in my current setup... and might want to hold onto it afterall. the homie doesn't know about it, I was just gonna drop it on em when I next saw them.

EDIT: fuggit. experimentation has begun. thanks for the inspiration homie.

[mbillings]

I use a Tascam DP02-CF, and it's really nice if you need straight forward tracking. Editing is easy too. Def dig using it. The EQ's is just a hi/lo shelf which kinda sucks, but ultimately I dump everything down to a Tascam 134 cassette 4 Track. If you are into the sound, cassettes just mush everything a certain way that sounds nice imo.

Yeah, I'm definitely worried about the EQing capabilities without a computer. I don't know too much about production, but am quickly learning and am planning on buying a rack compression unit soon. Since most of the sound will be from the SP-606 (weird percussion, sfx, guitar samples), I can maybe do some of the EQing on there before I record it into the Tascam. The only other two sources of sound will be my Micron and my voice. Is one low one and high EQ knobs enough to separate the sounds well enough?

[Platypus Beird]

do yourself a favor...order the shrimp and steak hibachi and get a soundcard to use with your comp instead of a dedicated recorder...much more capable as far as VSTs and storage space and better quality converters when you can afford it

save the cassette for the beats and synths and get a nice clean sound on your vocal, or maybe all to the comp then record the final two track to cassette

[HxC]

I proudly learned the fundamentals of multi-tracking on a Tascam 488 MK2 Cassette 8-track recorder! That's right 8 track cassette!

Although I have migrated to DAWs and all that I can't tell you how much 'learning' on tape can instill a great understanding of audio in general I could go on for paragraphs... I even used to 'stripe' one of the tracks with FSK to 'sync' my MIDI sequencer at the time... you had to be careful cuz adjacent tracks could 'bleed' onto each other...I think back it's like the Flintstones but... blah blah blah

For blank tapes check Craigslist- some fool has a box of unused ones they'll let go for pennies.. and remember.. don't F with anything over a 60-minute.. the longer the tape the thinner the tape, bad bad thin sound, getting eaten up...