JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Recording Studio and Gear Forum Tascam 8 track digital with FX

Hi-
I'm considering a Tascam 8 track w/FX, but may not get the CD burner model.

How has anyone done with the plain Tascam 8 track digital, and how do you use it with your computer studio software?

Any input about how anyone uses it would really help a lot.

I'll check this board, or you can PM me, if you like.

Thanks so much-
Greta

There is a few things I would like to say...
First off I have never like tascam (there was a time when they were refered as trash can), so I might be a bit biased.
8 tracks is never enough. Trust me on this.
I don't know about the effects they are using so I won't comment on that.
Computer compatibility will be iffy at best (my opinion)
I money is your biggest hurdle, then that may be your only answer.
If your are going to go with a stand alone there are alot better options (Yamaha for example)

Thanks Kaboom,

I have Fruity Loops 6, Magix Studio, Print Music 2007, even the Americal Idol (!) recording software gave away my SE Cubase (too complicated), I downloaded the Anvil 8 track software and update. I know, but I am not an accomplished musician (play some guitar/piano)and I need to use my Yamaha keyboard/ or step entry to compose. I have to record line in from a Tascam 4 track then convert the files through my Magix Audio cleaner to burn.

I really am not computer literate and thought that using the external, user friendly Tascam digital would simplify some of this.

I did do a song on the Boss CDR 900 and at least it was clean, though I didn't use its burner to make the CD. The display on it was so complicated.

I know this all seem elementary, but I am obviously a beginner and just want to get a clean CD as the final product.

As for 8 track, with no band or simultaneous tracks needed, I think on my level, 8 would be enough for a start to get a good representation demo.

If anyone could help me figure this out, I would really appreciate it.

Will have to check back for any responses tomorrow. Full work schedule today and tonight.

Thank you,
Greta

Greta,
If you are used to the Tascam way of doing thing, and are happy with it, then you should probably stick with it. Just like any thing else, if it works for YOU go for it.
Be aware that most stand alones are not unit display limited. Most stand alones do have the option of using a monitor, vastly improving the experiance.
Just My 2 Cents....

Hi,
I have an analog 8-track recorder which I use with digital recording software(Mac). The Mac accepts a stereo line-in from the 8-track. An 8-track digital should work in this fashion. You can mix 8 tracks down to two digital in your computer, then keep working on your computer.

There are advantages to analog as opposed to digital recording; analog is more forgiving when recording "hot" signals. You might be able to pick up an analog recorder for less money, if that's an issue.

Steve Vasil

Thank you all for the input. I will check these out. I just wish I could find software that has:

1.Step-entry {Staves} (can use piano roll, but prefer staves)
2.Enough VST available to do at least 7 staves/instruments
and 1 track left for audio input/vocals.
3. Ability to add effects to each track.
4. Ability to burn CD without having to export to another program like my Magix or Windows Media player.

Right now I have Windows VIsta Home Premium, BTW, and am thinking of having it changed (somehow?) to an older version like XP since Vista has its own problems.

Anyone know of a program that does 1-4.WHich is basically EVERYTHING from scratch to finish. Have to decide whether to go with the external recorder (Tascam/Yamaha/Roland) or get some more sophisticated software. Either way it would cost several hundreds of dollars, so I would like the best solution for my money.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hı Greta,

I use the Tascam dp01fx, wıthout cd burner, for the sımple reason that I am virtually computer iliterate (when it comes to music software) and as a result I've become accustomed to analogue recordıng. Ive been pleasantly surprısed wıth the qualıty of output and reckon ıt ıs more than capable of producing a reasonably good quality demo. Granted, the 8 tracks are a serıous lımıtatıon but for the price ıt offers a lot of recordıng optıons. The effects are lımıted, however, there ıs a good selectıon of realıstıc guıtar effects.

Computer compatibility consists of a function that allows you to link the hard drive on the Tascam to your pc, allowing you to transfer your 'mastered' WAV file to your pc. I'm a bit out of my depth regarding what you can do wıth the WAV file using the software you mention. This is probably the weakest aspect of the tascam.

The Tascam is certaınly a cheap option, and you do get what you pay for, but I wouldn't change it.

PS the fıst couple of days is an absolute nightmare, trying to work out how it operates.

If you need any more info don't hesitate to get in touch.

Good luck

Lyndyn

ps please note that I haven't been at this songwriting for too long and your needs (and standards) may consıderably outweigh my own.

Lyndyn-

Thank you SO MUCH. And, no, my needs are that of a beginner. This is fine for me and I will contact you should I go this route.

Have you completed any tracks, using this method, that you have uploaded for sale? I will, happily, buy some.

Thanks again,
Greta

Hi Greta,

I've loaded up one of my Tascam DP10FX recorded songs to www.myspace.com/gmcintyresongs (told you I was pc iliterate, I can't even work out how to do a hyperlink on this post).

No need to buy, and you'll realise why when you hear it, however, this should give you an idea of sound quality. The volume is a bit low but that's my fault, not the machine.

Just let me know if you want to hear any more examples or if you have trouble with the link, as I only use myspace for these kind of things.

Hope this is of help

Lyndyn

ps it takes around 15 seconds to start playing.

Now that is clever - it did the hyperlink itself.

Lyndyn

Hey Lynden-

You sound a lot like me trying to catch up with everyone in Cyberspace! Wow, and you're way on the other side of the Atlantic.
I listened to "Under the Sun" and it actually is a good song compared to a lot, in fact most, of the ones I've listened to on American Idol Underground. Good work.

The recording quality sounds a lot better than what I've gotten so far.

I went to Guitar Center today and after talking the personnels' heads off I settled on somthing less expensive than even the Tascam , but seems to be something that will work for me. You connect it to your computer and connect all your input sources like guitar, keyboard,mic, etc. through it. It routes your inputs through your recording software whether Cubase, Cakewalk, any of them and records,has effects and mixes the tracks. 64 (not virtual) tracks available if your computer has enough processing speed and memory.
You can even link together 3 of them, and real time one can accept 4 sound inputs at once, 3 can take 16 at once. Like if you had a band playing live into it.

It's the Presonus Inspire GT. It's a Firewire unit that comes with Cubase and a lot of guitar recording features. Yeah, I know what is a firewire unit, but after watching the DVD tutorial that comes with it, I think I am going to be alright with it.

I had to get a "PCI card" my nephew is going to install in my desktop to connect it to my computer, so all together it cost about $250.00. The PCI card is like midi, they say its an older connection version like midi compared to usb ports but cleaner for the purpose. I guess usb ports will eventually replace it.
The input jacks tothe unit itself are the standard mic, 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch jacks.


Now, I'm going to get Windows Vista out of the way and get Windows XP installed by my nephew so I'll have more computer
power and speed all around. (Vista takes up a lot of this just to run its operation program, before you add any audio production software). Once my computer is running Windows XP again, I am going to delve into this Inspire GT and see what it really can do.

If I find that it works well for me, I'll get a song to you and you can see if you might even want to try it.

Ofcourse, if anyone on the board works with this, let Lyndyn and I hear from you in a reply.

Thanks,

Greta

Hi Greta,

I look forward to hearing the sound quality. Best of luck.

Lyndyn

Lyndyn-

My nephew just called and is coming over to clean out my computer and install Windows XP- no Vista for me!
I have a 12 hour shift at the hospital tomorrow stating @ 5:30 AM, so my computer will be out of service, as will I real soon tonight.

Will get back on this post when I have something of interest for you.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to me, Lyndyn.

Greta

Hi Greta: I use the Tascam DP01FX for recording. I dont have the cd burner though. I think it is a pretty good system in my opinion. It would be nice to be able to burn CD's qiuckly but like you, cost was a factor for me.
Afraid I can't help you with the computer programs though. I am looking for a good program to use myself. If you want to hear some of my recording you can click the link.(Warning I am still getting used to my unit too. lol) If you learn anything good let me know! Steve
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=642220

Hi Stephen,

I am going to try to get this Inspire Firewire with Cubase to do some clean polished recording. Ofcourse, junk in junk out, so I will need to put down some good tracks to a good song, ofcourse.

I had used a Roland BOSS 900 CDR, so I am pretty familiar with what it was supposed to do, even if I didn't take full advantage of it.

I'll let you know how it works.

Just finished a 12 hr shift at the hospital, so I'm going to wait to really listen to your song, when I've had sufficient sleep.
Will get back to you soon.

Thanks,
Greta

I did all my Tavern songs with a tascam dp01fx (sans burner) and after a few months when I started writing other tunes that needed more than 8 tracks I decided that bouncing (twice) was too much to deal with (no control).

I also wasn't happy with the onboard effects, especially the guitar distortions - noisy...

I got rid of it and bought a Zoom 16 track (ha! riiight!) from Carvin and discovered it wasn't really 16 tracks but actually 12 because of the 'paired' track sets. So I sent it back.

I finally settled on a Korg 32 track deck for about $600.00 from Daddy's Junky Music. It took me awhile to get the hang of it but it's a cool deck with lots of effects and 32 real separate tracks (and 10 virts per track too & dedicated drumkit [not a drum machine!] tracks) and a built in burner. Limits are no eff/send/rtn and only one effect per track when recording.

I recorded the 2 newest FGrap tunes & Feelin' Fine on it. I can't really tell any difference between the quality of the 8 vs. the 32 track units other than i don't have to bounce any more. Well, the Korg has more stuff in it too. If you buy a dedicated deck, just watch out for those that claim to have 16 tracks, look at the faders and for 'paired' tracks. They record the input to two linked (not unlinkable) stereo tracks. ie: say tracks 9 & 10 are paired, you can't record a vocal on T9 & a piano on T10... plus volume will probably be the same (linked to both tracks) but you should have panning of PT's.

The manufacturers reason for paired tracks? Two I believe, one, so 'musicians' (rappers & whatnot...) can rip real music from disks (in stereo) and talk over it (or whatever). Two, to make it easier for Starfleet Engineering Impaired people (like me?) to record things like drums in stereo. Three, (did I say 3?) to piss musicians off when they get home and start recording with the intent of actually wanting 16 separate tracks to record on (or 14 and then bounce, then record 12, then bounce then record 10 then... you get the idea...).

Hey Greta,

I recently did a recording project with a borrowed Tascam 2488. It can record up to 24 tracks, but only 8 at a time. Recording in the studio, there was too much bleeding through on the mics, so I decided to try a track at a time. The musicians' timing was way off the click track. It took a lot of time to figure out how to transfer the tracks onto my Magix program, frustrated I went analog audio out to mic in for each track. Then I figured out how to use the USB for file transfer and even some of the wild effects that came loaded onbroad. It was way cool, but I didn't have enough time to play with it all. I spent about 32 hours in Magix cutting and lining up the other tracks with the click. When I played it back to the band, it was worth every second to see their smiles. I do most of my recording at track at a time on my computer with Magix, using a small euromixer. Also I found some free VST sites online. You can Google them. I have found the biggest factor in being successful in using all of these is the learning curve. The question always has been can I learn how to use it before I burn out?

Michael