Recording on a budget?

[SweetDrums1234]

hey all, i love this new section. i want to record my kit, and i need to do it for about $200. can it be done? i dont have a computer to record with, however, i might in a few months. i started recording myself with my camera, and the mic of course cant handle anything. i want better sound quality than a camera, something that is half-decent, but it doesnt have to be studio-perfect. any help will be greatly appreciated.

[surftex363]

look at other threads, this has been answered toooo many times, and your gonna need more than 200 dollars, that wont even get you started with mics

[SweetDrums1234]

ok, then ill raise the price to $400. i searched, and i did not find what i was looking for, unless somebody would like to make this one a sticky.

[dubsnack]

For $200:

Find a used tape 4-track recorder a cheap vocal mic for overhead and a cheap kick mic.

I'd say if you want to step up to computer based recording, you'll need a lot more money, but this will get you to the point of making cheap demos.

[surftex363]

For $200:

Find a used tape 4-track recorder a cheap vocal mic for overhead and a cheap kick mic.

I'd say if you want to step up to computer based recording, you'll need a lot more money, but this will get you to the point of making cheap demos.

its a waste of money though, the quality would be almost no better than your video camera

[SweetDrums1234]

then is there any other cheap way?

[dubsnack]

its a waste of money though, the quality would be almost no better than your video camera

Total BS. 00**

I got a nady kick mic and a no-name vocal mic sounding really great through an 80's yamaha 4-track. The yamaha has gain and EQ that will KILL a video camera mic.

[SweetDrums1234]

then thats what i will do. any idea how much that would bring me to?

[dubsnack]

I think you could do it for under $200 if you go used. Ebay, pawn shop, etc...

This is the 4-track I own: http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-MT-50-MULTI-TRACK-RECORDER-W-TAPES_W0QQitemZ290033308328QQihZ019QQcategoryZ8586 7QQcmdZViewItem

And as you can see, it is going to sell for under $100. It's really not that bad. You could then maybe go spend $80 on a shure SM57 for your kick too. Then you would also have a professional mic to use in the future if you decide to upgrade. And then just get a cheapo dynamic vocal mic to use as an overhead. Just back it up, and crank the hell out of the gain.

[SweetDrums1234]

ok. then i would just need cables and tapes? and what do you mean by "back it up"? and also, is there any way i could hook that up to a computer? like i said, i might be getting a computer for my personal use. my friend could give me a copy of his ACID Pro 6 and i could record with that couldnt i?

[dubsnack]

I mean back it up, literally back the mic up away from the kit like 3 or 4 feet above, and in front of. Then yes, just cables and tapes. And remember this recorder has 1/4" inserts, so you'll want XLR-1/4" cables if you get a similar 4-track.

You could "bounce" the stereo track to your computer, yes, but you could not send all 4 channels independently.

[SweetDrums1234]

how would i go about doing that? is there a way to send all 4 channels independantly? and then how do i play the tapes once i have them recorded?

[SMX_Dizzy]

Firewire, but with your budget there's no way. You could get a Phonic Helix Board 12 Firewire for $300, but that still doesn't cover you for mics, cables, stands, yadda yadda.

[Jeffrey.]

how would this work for recording?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tascam-Porta-02-MK-II-Multi-Track-Recorder_W0QQitemZ160034101692QQihZ006QQcategoryZ4 1480QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sure-SM57-Dynamic-Microphone-Almost-New_W0QQitemZ140033637812QQihZ004QQcategoryZ133006 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - for the snare

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shure-Beta-52A-Kick-Drum-mic-Amazing-Sound_W0QQitemZ200031931633QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4146 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - for the bass

and then some cheap vocal mike for the overhead. and theres cables. total is like 250 i think.

[.:On The Rock:.]

I got a catalogue today from my local music store and i was looking at mic sets, and i was surprised to find very cheap priced mic sets for small recording purposes. Like one set that included 3 drum mics and a kick mic for $200. And then you would have to buy overheads. But you would need some type of mixer for that though, along with a bunch of other stuff.

[SweetDrums1234]

no, if i went the firewire route i would probably get an big Alesis mixer and i would completely mic my kit-i would pretty much go all out.

[SMX_Dizzy]

Then why don't you just save up and do that?

[Butnutz]

I mean back it up, literally back the mic up away from the kit like 3 or 4 feet above, and in front of. Then yes, just cables and tapes. And remember this recorder has 1/4" inserts, so you'll want XLR-1/4" cables if you get a similar 4-track.

You could "bounce" the stereo track to your computer, yes, but you could not send all 4 channels independently.

inputs, not inserts.
2 different things...not to be mean, just wanna avoid confusion in the future.

[SweetDrums1234]

SMX dizzy, i dont have enough money for that. i would spend at least $1500 on that. it is not what i need for the moment. Metaldrummer616, i like that idea very much!

[Jeffrey.]

yea i think what i posted earlier will be my future recording rig.

[Gaurgle]

hmm

[SleightOfHand]

My band has spent nearly $600 to get demo quality recordings in our homes.
They do sound pretty good though, especially when we take the time to mix and master them properly :D