recommend recording equipment
 

My band has been writing shit for a while now. We're technological bozos. Could you suggest some equipment for us? I'm not really sure what we'll do with what we've recorded. I think we'd like to put some of our recordings on the Internet, maybe create some CD demo... I don't know. Just tell me what works well for you and what you think would work out for a beginner. Thanks.

I don't know much about recording, in fact I don't own any equipment myself, but I don't see why something like this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...dio?sku=241106 and a good mic wouldn't be sufficient. Especially for a demo.
You might recieve more comfort, though, from someone with more experience.

I just got my Tascam 424 mkII in the mail today. Ask me in a week or two how it has been working out.

I have used a Tascam 424 mkII before. Great recording device, but you need extra equipment to master and create media.

For the cheapest and easiest way to get your music recorded and distributed look to PC recording. I am a fan of SONAR, but have heard other similar products are just as good. A quality PC, good sound card (one that has instrument inputs), and a good studio program are all you need besides instruments and talent.
PC programs have an ease-of-use advantage over hard disk recorders because they allow you to visualize the audio data.
I even use a cheap-ass behringer mixer and use the tape-out directly to my standard integrated sound card and am able to get decent quality stuff. It's not stuff that's necessarily up to quality standards for distribution but I can get the sound pretty clean.

got a tascam 424 mkIII that's been sadly discontinued. I like it. But I like my Fostex digital 16 track the most.

yes.
i don't particularly like working with more than eight tracks when recording. i don't like getting too into shit and too complicated.

Word.
I use a 4-Track. This is what I have

If I got something like that ^ is there a free program where I could tweak the individual tracks (change tempo, speed, pitch)?
Or is that already a feature?

if you don't know anything, get a microphone something like a rode nt3 and a tape deck and learn how to get a good sound from a room mic. then maybe buy a little multi track or get some software. a hint when using audio software - don't look at the waveforms unless editing, use the mix window - turn your monitor off and use your ears. also, don't master your own material, record at home yes, take it some where to be mastered so it sounds like a real cd and the person has objective ears and hasn't listenedd to the tracks before. i can give you hours and hours of advice once you have a good think about what you really want to achieve.

i don't like 4 tracks, but i also really don't like 8 tracks.
ideally i would like to have 5 tracks (vox, guitar, guitar, bass, drums) but i don't think they make those.

fuck overdubbing. i hate doing that shit. if it doesn't sound good in a live room it's useless.

get a cheap mic preamp for recording guitars. I bought this Studio Projects VTB-1 ($99) and it makes a big difference in the long run; our recordings are sounding so much better with it.

how much did that cost?

wait until you hear what avalon pre's sound like chout..........

http://avalondesign.com/index-main.html these puppies are about $4000 though....

It isn't like you have to use the other 3 tracks.

There is the added advantage of extra tracks of being able to add ambient mics for better stereo sound.

true enough, but still.

i dont really like using mics, unless i am specifically going for that sound. i typically prefer recording line in.

i have a $100 4 track cassette recorder, ive heard people complain about how it distorts the sound but you really have to understand mic placement. I am very good at placing a mic strategically in a room to get an interesting/clean sound, so it works for me.

I haven't had mics for the last few days and have been exclusively recording line in. It is so fricking annoying. Atleast my guitar amp has a line out so I can atleast get that tube sound.

The most annoying thing is having to sing into my bass guitar pickups (although it does sound crazy, err, cool). That will be over with soon though.

I like recording direct for guitars alot. it worked awesome through the preamp on the songs I used my octave distortion on - much better than using a mic as it captures the fucked up sound better. you can hear it on the rough mix of Nothing To Write Home About on the choutmusic myspace page below.

thanks. haha a bit out of my league.