ilovefuzz.com

Here's how I'm contemplating going about this:
Gtr.1: Dynamic mic> analog delay>reverb of some sort. "Gtr.1" is a mic'd Setup consisting of lap steel>fuzzrite/Phantom Octave (interchangeable)> a variety of amps, one of which would be a Fuzzhugger Pipe Amp..
Gtr.2: Direct-in Guitar>pedals, chain ending with a reverb> 4 track.
Misc.: varies, depending upon instrument. If bass, for example, I could use either means mentioned above. Mandolin, acoustic guitars, most anything else, I would mic, with said mic running into a reverb pedal.
Percussion: mic with 'verb/delay.

NOTE: I'm talking tape here.

I'm sure in either channel, I could make room for mixers and compressors. But I've always been pretty well-satisfied without them. What would any of you do? Be creative! The more outlandish your idea, the more likely I'll be to try it out

What type of 4 track are you using?

Guitar into the line in on a 4 track always sounds pretty rad by itself. For bass I would always mic it or take an out from an amp.

I only had two cents to add.

Are you mapping this for a DIY record or a live show?
Messing around/experimentation?
Some sort of time travel?


I have a 6 input/4 track cassette portastudio.
My own rough draft for a DIY project is like:

1-guitar rig, mic'd
2-bass, direct (sometimes mic'd rig)
3-mpc, drum machine or synth
4-mpc, drum machine or synth, or mic/vox
5-fx loop w/la2a-ish comp
6-fx loop w/giant plate reverb

Help yourself to using this blueprint, of sorts...

MEC wrote:What type of 4 track are you using?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... ortastudio

rustywire wrote:Messing around/experimentation?
Some sort of time travel?

Help yourself to using this blueprint, of sorts...

Yes and yes. Also, thank you!

MEC wrote:What type of 4 track are you using?

You had to pick the most featureless 4-Track out there... I can't even, I'll come back to this...

sonidero wrote:

MEC wrote:What type of 4 track are you using?

You had to pick the most featureless 4-Track out there... I can't even, I'll come back to this...

Limitations can be a good thing.

MannequinRaces wrote:

sonidero wrote:

MEC wrote:What type of 4 track are you using?

You had to pick the most featureless 4-Track out there... I can't even, I'll come back to this...

Limitations can be a good thing.

Precisely!

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

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...

I would say you def. need a preamp. As far as close vs far it really depends on the room and how much of he sound of the room you want. For no reverb or if you want to add it all yourself try close a close mic in a closet lined with blankets, towels, coats ect. Bathrooms and rooms with hard wood can give you a great natural reverb. Experiment with mic placement and using multiple mics. They don't even need to be pointed in the direction of your amp. Try playing and walking around the room to find "sweet" spots. Remember you have more options than the Beatles had on their first album, mic placement makes a HUGE difference.

Well this is just getting, yeah... I've had both the 2ube and Black Finger, neither is an EQ and you don't need either... You say you want to run mics through a Delay pedal but seeing as your 4-Track is only a half step up from a Boombox you'll need something to run the mics into... Look for a small 2-4 channel mixer that has at least one Aux or Send and some EQ so you can expand your setup times a million... There is no Mic Pre on your 4-Track and only 1(???) input so you'll need something to get the levels right, something to convert XLR to 1/4'' for pedals, and something with EQ to help with getting the tracks to gel... I know you want the simplest set-up possible so a small mixer would be the best bang for your buck... For a hundo you could get a Mackie 402VLZ3, Yamaha MG102C, or a Peavey PV6 which would help tons...

HOLLA AT CHO 4-TRACK BRO... I have 4...

Subbing! How do you like that specific recorder? I think I remember reading that you can easily combine tracks with others to free up another for more sounds. So there's that but I have really no idea. I just know I've done a little research on this guy like forever ago

zRobertez wrote:Subbing! How do you like that specific recorder? I think I remember reading that you can easily combine tracks with others to free up another for more sounds. So there's that but I have really no idea. I just know I've done a little research on this guy like forever ago

I like the way it sounds. I'm a tape/shit-fi nut anyway. Not that it really sounds that bad, but there's almost always been a volume loss when transferred to digital, a bit of noise, and usual tape gnarliness. You can definitely tell what you're hearing is tape, and I just love that to pieces.

sonidero wrote:
HOLLA AT CHO 4-TRACK BRO... I have 4...

I'ma hyu when it gets close 2 tyme