Best Recording Quality for Akai s950

I currently use a Tascam DP-02, MPC 2000classic, and an Akai s950. When I master my tracks on the DP and transfer them to my computer the audio seems a bit low and there is also some high end ambience sound when there is silence. I would just like some suggestions onto what would make my productions more in your face. Some examples of my work are in the link below. I was thinking about getting a mixing console or a reel to reel but to be honest I really dont know what would be the best as of now.

www.soundcloud.com/beatsorcerer

the first 3 beats were made thru my 950.

I think it might come from the S950, i have a similar high end noise when i use the filter. What i do is put another low pass filter on it just to remove that noise.

Borat wrote:I think it might come from the S950, i have a similar high end noise when i use the filter. What i do is put another low pass filter on it just to remove that noise.

I'm not talking about the filters, im talking about the gain that just sits when there is silence, even when the 950 isnt hooked up and i have the 2k hooked up. I have to turn up the gain on my DP almost all the way to get a "full sound." IDK if that makes any sense but im just wondering if there is a better medium to record on since im working with old school equipment and my current recording pallet is digital.

The S950's outputs simply aren't that loud.

so what can i do to boost the overall volume of my tracks? Do you use the 950? if so what do you use to record unto?

thaCuRsee wrote:so what can i do to boost the overall volume of my tracks? Do you use the 950? if so what do you use to record unto?

The average volume you use on your tracks is already way too loud. It is distorting and such, exactly due to that.

the other guy said that the s950 outputs arent that loud and yet your're saying that its too loud? i click on other ppls tracks all the time and there music is overall much louder than mine soOoO idk your comment confused me

That the end result sounds too loud doesn't have to do anything with the S950's outputs volume. You maybe have mixed it down or bounced it out too loud.
Making sounds louder doesn't make them stand out more in the mix. Eq and compression can already make a difference in presence without really boosting the amplitude. Also mastering the tracks can bring some sounds more up front. Depends on how you worked and mixed your track.

I also use the S950 sometimes, and my MPC2500 is noticeably louder. I just use a phonic firewire helixboard to record through and always crank up the gain a little bit more. For more serious projects I always have somebody to mix down my tracks for me. I never heard the guy saying he had more problems with the S950 beats.

Here is a example of how my S950 sounds like after being mixed and mastered.
Must add that the bass is an electric bass guitar.

Nice beat...what do you use to master and mix your track? What would you suggest as far as mixing consoles go to give the 12 bit more life? I have this right now:



but i was thinking of selling mine and pickiing up this:

Thanx.

I mix with ableton or logic. This guys who does the serious mixing for me also uses Logic.

I'm not really into mixing consoles and what sounds better and stuff. All I do know is that having an usb/firewire mixer makes it quite easy to multitrack your sounds into your DAW.

I would not recommend you to buy a Behringer, but something similar that offers more quality.

Best option would be a high end interface with multiple inputs together with a dedicated mixer like a Mackie VLZ. But that is if your wallet can afford that.

If you are just a bedroom producer I would def. go shop around for an usb/ firewire mixer. Unless you are not into software.