blooghost wrote:So, hey guys,
distanced-mic'ing or close-mic'd? All of my amps are low-wattage old tube amps. Keep in mind, this is in the context of recording with a low-cost 4 track cassette recorder. I remember there being a thread a while back that Cee-Bers posted about recording to 4 track, but was too sorry to do a search. I've always gone directly in, and it didn't sound too bad. But I'm thinking of trying new things for when I record again. I remember in the past, however, that with mic'ing instruments, even closemic'ing, I'd get less volume than I would going into the 4 track directly.. These include instances of me playing through a Bassman, an older Peavey tube half-stack at about 50-100 watts (was a friend's amp, not 100% on any specifics, just loud). So, Idk...another thought was shelling out extra money for tube pre-amps, perhaps that ehx Black Finger with the tubes? And being that the mic/s will typically be running through a delay pedal, I'll be able to add little oscillating swells for texture and the sheer joy
The preamps in your particular 4track are going to be weaksauce for mikes, compared to just about any outboard pres you can get. Not all Tascam pres are like that, but you have the entry level unit. I'm unable to even find a picture of the back, but see its glaring limitation is the lack of an EQ section.
EHX Makes the 2ube EQ, but you don't necessarily need to go that route...or even the tube route at all.
EHX also makes a 12ay7 Mic Pre in pedal form, but it's not going to out perform a rackmountable unit.
Black Finger is an optical tube compressor, which would be good for the LA2A style comp I described in previous post.
My experience with them is only secondhand, from videos/recordings and friends; and while they do have a good sound (with the right tubes) they apparently have a reputation for being highly prone to hum and high noise floor when used with certain common pedal combinations and gear with sensitive inputs. I don't think the latter will be a prob with your portastudio.
Whatever you choose to get, I'd recommend buying from a site with open box return policy, that wont kill you with a restocking fee should the unit not jive with your porta/other gear. I'd also recommend trading up tape machines, even if it's just to a porta with EQ section & VU meters or some kind of visual metering per track.
But it's not necessary. Trial & error, bro. Lots of research/legwork/experimentation needs to be done by you if you're serious about going the DIY route. Because it's going to be you doing all the work! If your ceiling is lofi then it's much easier to hit the ground running than if you also want to go the hifi route. I'm still learning myself...and slowly assembling my own rig for this purpose, gaining understanding as the blurry vision I have in mind gets a little clearer. It's a whole 'nother rabbit hole. Careful where you step...
