Digital multi-track recording

[ohsojayadeva]

I do everything inside Cubase. I've never needed anything else, and it's rarely (if ever) let me down. That said the learning curve is steep, but I've been doing it for so many years now that it's almost like the program was built for me to make music with. I highly recommend it.

[RossCanyonsofstatic]

picked up one of these for just under $200 used and I track with it and put all the wav files into protools
Works great

[ohsojayadeva]

I've used protools. It is the "industry standard" (right?) But requires specialized hardware. I got into cubase with VST5.1, which was more focused on sequencing hardware synths (when software synths were still new-ish) and watched it grow into SX and now Cubase 5, which is much more all about a unified, all in one experience. Cubase 5's VST3 plugins are also absolutely fucking brilliant. It's the first time I've really felt good about a software's built in EQ, Comp, Etc. I use it for everything, composition and production equally. Short of plugins, I've never felt the need to expand. Click the myspace links in my sig if you want to hear what I've done with it.

[eti]

I'd just get a interface but my laptop doesn't have firewire[...]

USB is fast enough.

[ohsojayadeva]

The USB interface will replace the sound card, so you'll experience no lag.

[ohsojayadeva]

In a word, Yes.

Driver issues: I know there was a run of Firewire chipsets for PC (mostly laptops) that caused issues with audio interfaces. That has since been resolved, but it did result in a ton of *very* upset (mostly Dell) laptop users. No such issues if you have a Mac. PC users can and should always consider USB. The interface I linked above is awesome, I have used it hundreds (thousands, probably) of times - on a dedicated PC using Windows XP.

You do avoid the compatibility problem by using a dedicated unit... but you also deprive yourself of the myriad of additional tools available for the VST market. Whether or not that's better or worse for you, I can't say. It sucks to run into a wall with a hardware piece and then have to upgrade eventually anyway. This is much easier (IME) to overcome when using software.

As always, YMMV.

[letsgocoyote]

fwiw, i have a DP-004. super simple and I really like it.

if you get the dp-008 you get EQ, reverb, phantom, backlit lcd, and 4 more channels!

but i do llike the dp-004 its basically just like a 4track tape recorder, super basic no frills.

then you can import the tracks to your computer via USB if ya want to mix it down special.

the upside, versus an interface, is a)reliability because its a stand alone machine. ive never had luck with computer recording myself. b) its portable and runs off batteries, so yyou cn do field recordings or whatever, or bootleg shows

[dorfmeister]

Thinking of getting the Tascam DP 008.

Any other thoughts on this device or other self-contained recording device?

[modernage]

I've used protools. It is the "industry standard" (right?) But requires specialized hardware.

Not true anymore! Avid just released Pro Tools 9, which now allows you to use any interface (or use w/o being connected to an interface). You just need your licensing info on a dongle connected to your computer. It also has automatic delay compensation, which was only available on PT HD systems (and who of us has a good $12,000 to invest in an HD system?)

Thinking of getting the Tascam DP 008.

Any other thoughts on this device or other self-contained recording device?

With this new version it makes it hard for me to believe there is a better way out there to record music. Easier... sure....... but it's by far not the biggest learning curve out there.

You may decide to go the route of a multi-track recorder instead of an interface, but if you bypass recording software completely you'll miss out on awesome plugins like these. That's just where I stand on the issue D'man. You may spend a bit more going the route of software recording, but you won't hit a wall of limitations as quickly. The sky's the limit! Hope that helps... or at least makes the decision that much more difficult.

[theavondon]

I just bought a 4-track cassette recorder for $20, so...wait why the fuck am I in here?

[modernage]

I just bought a 4-track cassette recorder for $20, so...wait why the fuck am I in here?

Gone analog, eh? Nice!