General Equipment Questions - Answers Wanted!

[Two hands31]

Just a couple of questions:

1)I was reading through some old guitar magazines and noticed a lot of guitarists talking about "writing
* songs on their old 4-tracks". I have seen the Fostex and Tascam 4-track recorders before and they
* look pretty decent. So my question is, what are they like and can they do, like, overdubs? Y'know,
* record one part, then mix in another part?

2)Anyone seen those Carvin "Steve Vai" guitar cables? *Man! *Vai endorses everything!

[bob oakman]

Yes.

Most of them have 4 discreet tracks and basic mixing capabilities. You can record on one or two tracks while listening to the others. You can also mix existing tracks to another while playing along etc…

They are very useful writing tools, but lack some fidelity for really pro sounding results. The use of cassette is the main reason for that.

There are free/cheap multi-track computer programs that are better IMHO.

[oooo]

Those cables aren't Carvin... they're "Horizon" brand. *Carvin has started selling other Company's stuff... (Celestian, Danelectro) *BTW they (the cables) are pretty cool, I have a couple and they really hold up. *It's sad, I have tons of "Vai" stuff. *Not becouse he endorses them and not because I'm a big fan (I am but that's not why), but because the stuff he endorses is great stuff... what can I say, he's got great taste. :biggrin:

[Mr Orange]

I've got an old 4-track, which can record four tracks simultaneously, and I dig it. I've also done some stuff using Cakewalk Pro Audio, but I prefer the feel and sometimes even the sound of a 4-track. It's more 'home-like' of something. Somehow I find it easier to record a good guitar tone with analog equipment. *

[Two hands31]

I would prefer oppinions on recording systems NOT involving a computer, since my guitar stuff is no where and never will be near a computer. *Can separate parts be recorded separately, then mixed together? *i.e. Can I record all four tracks being me, recorded at different times?

[darren wilson]

Yes. That's the whole point of multi-track recording. (Thank you, Les Paul!)

[Vaibanez]

Just to point something out...4 track recorders, though only having 4 "input" tracks, are not limited to JUST 4 tracks

The first pass, you record on tracks 1, 2 and 3. Mix those down to track 4. Then, while listening to track 4, record to tracks 2 & 3. Then mix tracks 2, 3 and 4 to track 1.

5 tracks recorded so far.

Then while listening to track 1, record on tracks 2 & 3. Then mix tracks 1, 2 and 3 to track 4.

Now you have 7 tracks on track 4....Repeat as many times as you like to add more tracks to the mix.

You can even do solo punch-ins...they are very cool to use and you can get some amazing quality out of them if you are careful with your sound.

J>

[Pablo]

When I hear people talking about 64 track desks and stuff I always think how the Beatles managed just fine with 4 tracks.

Personally I think a max of two mikes on the drums is better for sound but miking up every tom symbol is a bit too much.

I too was considering a cheap 4 track but I like MD's and they are expensive.

[Coolstu]

I've had a TASCAM Porta 03 for years and I think its great, it's got more than enough features for me:biggrin: