Recording to four track cassette recorder

soundexp334 · Post by **soundexp334** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:57 am

Count Sierackula wrote:
mbillings wrote:...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

Damn I feel I got ripped I bought the tascam pocketstudio 4track back in 2002 for $325.00.

HxC · Post by **HxC** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:01 am

But with all the new cool shit out now I wouldn't bother fucking with tape any more than I would a rotary telephone!

If you like standalone peep the BR-600! (like a 404 with tracks!)

Or if you already have a computer get any old software...

I highly recommend midi syncing cuz you can do 'sweeps' & record each sound separately of an SP- then you can achieve a better mixdown !

Whatever you do just "do" !!!!!

modulr · Post by **modulr** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:44 am

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

It really depends on how crunchy you want the sound. Like the last thing I did went from the SP straight to cassette 4-track for the drums. Then from 4-track to DP02. Then I layered more SP stuff right on the DP02 to keep from adding too much noise, cos I bounced quite a bit. Then I dumped it into my laptop to do some eq'ing (cos the eq on the DP02 doesn't cut it), and back to the 4-track (again). Then back to the laptop for some final limiting in order to get the volume back up. It came out like molassis.

Might be a little much, but I like pushing buttons, layering... and literally hearing the machine stamp it's footprint all over the production.

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.

indeed, it's useful.

modulr · Post by **modulr** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:52 am

mbillings wrote: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?

The EQ on the DP02 is pretty blah. Having a hi/lo shelfs only is pretty restricting. It can't be compared to the VSTs out there, of which many are free. I still EQ on the laptop, cos I'm not willing to part with the cash for hardware. That being said, if you are looking for a nice hardware compressor for a good price peep FMR Audio. The FMR RNC and RNLA are insanely nice for the price. The RNC is clean, and the RNLA is thick and gooey. Peep the reviews online, cos they are hard to beat for the money. I love mine.

HxC · Post by **HxC** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:55 am

I fux with the RNC- use it in my vocal chain inserted to the (DBX386) pre-amp on 'super nice' mode with excellent results!
Also for keyboard basses, wishy washy samples & anything else that could use a little 'taming' on the way in- for the price It's the bees knees.

modulr · Post by **modulr** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:21 am

super-nice mode is exactly that... super nice! The FMR gear is tops, no question.

balazs · Post by **balazs** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 3:42 am

yeah man, I like the supernice mode on the RNC. You can get a lot of control on the volume without that nasty squished sound.

HxC · Post by **HxC** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:26 am

Love how you can insert it using just 2 TRS 1/4" cables.

tape smoke · Post by **tape smoke** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:18 pm

i can get blank tapes cheap, pm me if you want some

$usd 2 , each, paypal

im trying to get enough in my paypal account for a usb midi cable .

JayLost · Post by **JayLost** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:01 am

iG9 wrote: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. =(

hey why dont you have a music myspace or is there a web site you got im interested in hearing your stuff homie