Sup SP users, does anyone here record on an 8-track? Can it read the pattern's of the sp-404, and catch every sound? Sorry for this question but I don't feel like wasting money on an 8-track if it doesn't work.

yeah, whatever you record into the 8-track is what the 8-track will play back.

Ya I realize that, but do any of you guys record on the hardware? Or just do everything via software? Once your tracks are on an 8-track is their alot of mixing to do?

I use hardware and only hardware.



obviously it depends on what you put in and what needs to be done. I'm not exactly sure what ur asking.

Well, traditionally, a multitrack is used to build up a tune instrument by instrument each on it's own track, then you make a stereo "master" mix after getting the mixing and editing right. But, there's nothing to stop you having complete sections of the tune over several of the tracks (made elsewhere, like in a 404) and using the multitracks mixer to bring them in and out to make the stereo master - that's probably how most loop based music is produced, though it's more often done on a computer DAW sequencer, really, you're using the multitrack as an arranger, so there isn't all the fader riding you would have to do with a traditional "band" mix.

You have the choice of copying 404 loops to the MT and using the MT track edit to copy the loops to make the run time you need, or using the MT midi clock to sync 404 patterns and record them to the MT. I'm not sure what hardware multitrack recorders are capable of these days now I use a computer, they might not be any good for matching tempos between loops - but you won't have that problem using 404 patterns since the tempo will come from the MT midi clock.

I'm looking for the easiest possible way to A. Get my beats online and B. Get my beats on cd's.

B. well since you wanted a track recorder and want to put ur shit on CD - i would suggest getting a multitrack recorder with a built in cd recorder. I know the boss br series is good and the more expensive BRs have a built in CD recorder.

or if you dont care for a multi track anymore and just want to get ur shit on cd. Your hardware options are kinda limited nowadays. I think sony and roland still make hardware CD recorders.

as for software, i cant help you.

A. Worry about buying and learning the gear first. putting your CD on the internet is the easy part.

very true. making a cd or online beats is trivial. making beats anyone would want to listen to is the hard part. that being said, here's the easiest way i know of to do it:

1. get gear with which to make tunes, like a 404.
2. get an external audio interface, which is like a sound card in a box. i use a tascam us-122, which is cheap and works fine. you can find them used for less than a hundred bucks.
3. get cables to connect gear to interface. again, cheap (<$20).
4. get free recording software, like audacity. you can steal commercial software like cubase, but the complexity of those applications will leave you curled up, crying in a corner, so don't bother.
5. record music from gear, through interface, into audacity (or whatever).
6. export song to wav.
7. burn cd with wavs, or use a freeware app to convert wavs to mp3s, then upload mp3s to myspace or whatever.
8. congratulations, you are now an unsigned internet artist. money, women and bling await you. lay back and watch the money roll in.
9. send me the money you were going to spend on an 8-track. =)

hope this helps.

hahahaha

Thanks for the responses once again. Some of you mutha's are beyond ignorant, I'm a hardware guy so I was looking for a means to put my beats on a cd, and hook my friends up who rhyme. I do this 100% non-prophit for hiphop, we've passed out 600 cd's locally for free, because its what we enjoy. My goal is not to be a famous hiphop producer, it would be nice though if I could actually let peeps here my beats via passing out a CD, rather then say "ya I make beats, but their all on my sampler". I have made great strides in learning the SP's functions, so to juxt, thanks for the feedback cuz but I don't need to learn about the machine. I've never recorded on an 8-track or software before, thats why I needed advice not F*King sarcasim and ridicule. I don't want to make the mistake of buying hardware that I don't need or won't understand.

dude you need to relax and learn to take a f*cking joke. let's review:

you: how do i record beats and put them on cds and the net.

me: let me take the time to tell you explicitly how. i'll even throw in a little self-deprecating humor, since everyone on this board is an unsigned internet artist. my little way of welcoming you to the fold.

you: waah waah waah, my tiny little ego cannot take your mighty humor. how dare you make light of my serious hip hop creds. i can't take it. i want my mommy.

me: wtf is wrong with this guy?


although some of us have figured out how to make cds and get a myspace page up, so what does that make you?

just to clarify, before i was trying to be helpful. now i'm making fun of you.

Your making fun of me now because your a shit talker, online !!! When you make jokes online, they can always be mis-interpreted I don't share the same sense of humor, I'm here for help not jokes at my expense.

when i was saying to learn your gear i was not talking about the sp. I was talking about the recorder. Shopping for a CD recorder then learning how to breeze thru the functions is the hard part. uploading that CD on the internet just takes a few clicks of the mouse.

by the way, you never made it clear if you wanted a plain cd recorder or a multitrack recorder or both

I'm making fun of you for having no sense of humor !!! 7 of the 9 steps i gave you were completely legit "how to" instructions. The "help" you say you're here for. How do you not only not appreciate that, but completely ignore it and yet take the time to get your feelings hurt by the jokes i tacked on at the end? Check the rest of my posts before you call me a shit talker. You are the first person to ever get offended by anything I've said on this board. I guess by your logic the internet should be devoid of humor or joviality, as they could always be misinterpreted. Anyway I don't like being angry and I hate fighting so I'm going to leave this thread, but here's a tip: when you feel someone has wronged you, take a deep breath, count to ten, and smoke a joint before losing your shit.

I'm sure ig9 didnt mean to sound bitter, cold or cruel. but thats what he is, so thats how it comes out.