Multi-track recording for percussion

[NRHarris]

I know nothing about multi-track recording nor am I interested in investing a great deal of time learning the intricacies of the art and mastering Pro Tools or the like on my computer. But I would love to have a multi-track recorder on which I could record 4-8 percussion tracks and then combine them onto a CD. Specifically, I would like to be able to individually record clave, a few drum parts, shekere and bell parts and then burn them to a CD.

My intent is not to make a commercial (saleable) CD, but just to demonstrate what the individual percussion parts sound like when they are combined (if I could find several more like minded percussionist around my home, I would just record it live!)

Is there some simple way of making a CD to show the melody makers I play with what I had in mind from a percussion perspective and leave any formal recordings for the studio to worry about? How have you guys done this and what equipment recommendations do you have?

Thank you – I am grateful for any advice.

Norm

[diddle]

I've had a need to do exactly what you describe.  With not too much time (or money) investment,

1) google "Audacity" and install this very nice freeware recording S/W PKG

2) purchase an audio CD S/W PKG (I use NERO for ~ $100)

3) purchase a 4-chan sound mixer (I like Yamaha for ~ $100)

4) purchase one or more inexpensive mics such as Shure SM57 or Audix OM


Total outlay is ~ $300 (1 microphone setup).

You will be able to use Audacity to capture the audio into your PC and generate your audio files... then use NERO to make your CD... you may not even need NERO... but I like that for a little added flexibility as opposed to using built-in CD recording tools in Windows.

Good luck!

[Chip Donaho]

My intent is not to make a commercial (saleable) CD, but just to demonstrate what the individual percussion parts sound like when they are combined (if I could find several more like minded percussionist around my home, I would just record it live!)

Where would that be? What area? How would they contact you? You have players from all over the world here.  ;)

[NRHarris]

Rather than software based recording, I was thinking along the lines of a multi-track recorder such as these:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP02CF-Digital-Portastudio?sku=241796]http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP02CF-Digital-Portastudio?sku=241796

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-MR8-mkII-8Track-Digital-Recorder?sku=240343]http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-MR8-mkII-8Track-Digital-Recorder?sku=240343

Does anyone have experience with recorders like these?

FWIW, since you asked, I live close to Roanoke, Virginia. It would be great to hook up with other percussionists around this area.

[David Crigger]

Rather than software based recording, I was thinking along the lines of a multi-track recorder such as these:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP02CF-Digital-Portastudio?sku=241796]http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP02CF-Digital-Portastudio?sku=241796

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-MR8-mkII-8Track-Digital-Recorder?sku=240343]http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-MR8-mkII-8Track-Digital-Recorder?sku=240343

Does anyone have experience with recorders like these?

FWIW, since you asked, I live close to Roanoke, Virginia. It would be great to hook up with other percussionists around this area.

Either should work for what you are wanting to do - though you'll still need a microphone, cord and stand - plus the use of a computer with the appropriate hardware and software  to burn the final mix to CD.

I think Diddle's point was - and I would suggest as well - since you'll already need to have the computer for burning, you CAN do the whole thing for less money and just as easily without buying a hardware multi-track.

If you have an at all recent Mac, then get a mic and appropriate adaptor, fire up Garageband and you are ready to go - all the software comes preinstalled and ready to go.

On the PC side, I can't see that Audacity is really right for this - seems more of a two-track program than an actual DAW (but someone may correct) but in any case, CakeWalk, Mackie, etc all make fully functional DAW programs that sell for about $100 - plus whatever you need to burn the CD... plus the mic, etc. (Diddle - don't really see the need for a mixer in this application).

Anyway - either approach should work just fine.

David

[NRHarris]

Very helpful David! Thanks. That cleared things up for me.

[diddle]

agreed, david... no real need for a mixer, unless more than 1 mic is used... but CAKEWALK ??  that is not an easy s/w pkg to learn, unlike Audacity... besides, what does CAKEWALK offer for this application at $100 that AUACITY dosn't at $0 ??

[Nick]

On the PC side, I can't see that Audacity is really right for this - seems more of a two-track program than an actual DAW (but someone may correct) but in any case, CakeWalk, Mackie, etc all make fully functional DAW programs that sell for about $100 - plus whatever you need to burn the CD... plus the mic, etc. (Diddle - don't really see the need for a mixer in this application).

Anyway - either approach should work just fine.

David

IMO Reaper would be a much better option for PC,

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

And it's also free...

If I had to give up Protools HD tomorrow, I would use Reaper..

:)

N

[diddle]

Nick, I'm not familiar with Reaper.  Is this an alternative to Audacity?

[NRHarris]

I've decided to try the Tascam DP02CF multi-track recorder - it has slots for 2 mics, is portable and can be bought for <$250.00 if you shop a bit. It just seemed like the simplest option for my fairly straightforward needs. Thanks to all for their help!


http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP02CF-Digital-Portastudio?sku=241796]http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-DP02CF-Digital-Portastudio?sku=241796

[David Crigger]

agreed, david... no real need for a mixer, unless more than 1 mic is used... but CAKEWALK ??  that is not an easy s/w pkg to learn, unlike Audacity... besides, what does CAKEWALK offer for this application at $100 that AUACITY dosn't at $0 ??

Being a total MAC guy since forever, maybe you can enlighten me on that. I can never tell from the screen shots of Audacity - which also looks primarily like a two-track editing program like PEAK. Does Audacity run in a straight multi-track recorder analogy mode - multiple tracks, punch-in recording, option of a bars and beats (with metronome) timeframe, visual nonlinear editing of tracks in relation to each other?

I've always heard of Audacity's multitrack capabilities being a bit of a work around with with limitations and inconveniences compared to a program that is designed as a DAW from the get-go. If that's not true, fill me in. :-)

David

[diddle]

Hi David,

Although I use Audacity I'm certainly not an expert.  I like Audacity b/c it's free and easy to use.  It does allow for multi-track recording, which I have done for my small projects, but I can't offer much for comparing it to other DAWs... seems like it does allow for a metronome pulse to be placed on your track, visual non-linear editing, EQing, signal analysis (FFTs), and some other features, but I'm a novice user and havn't had enough time playing with it yet...

Years ago I had purchased CakeWalk but it seemed rather difficult to learn so I shelved it... but I know many like it and I've heard it works well. 

Edit: I'm looking at Audacity now and here are some of the features:

- once a track is captured you can re-scale the amplitude in dB, change pitch of track, re-tempo track, overlay metronome, compress/add echo/equalize, fades, invert audio, boost audio, cut/paste/repeat sections
- "beat finder" and "silence finder" (don't know what that does)
- filtering - Hi pass/LO pass, white noise removal, etc.
- edit ID3 tags
- export to .wav or .mp3 format

[Nick]

Nick, I'm not familiar with Reaper.  Is this an alternative to Audacity?

Yes, and then some, it's a viable alternative to Pro Tools if the truth be told...  :-[

It's a fully featured DAW software for pc (and recently Mac as well) written by the guy that made Winamp, but it has taken the trade by storm & worried some of the big boys as well... Don't get me wrong, I can't see any HD users selling their rig to move to it, but I personally know some Pro Tools LE & MP users that have switched...

:)

N