Multitrack or a comp. mixer

What's up. I'm going to be buying a mpc1000 real soon, and I need some help with what to buy. Either a multitrack recorder or a mixer that works with computer software. I will be using the mpc with a keyboard. So I need some help with what would be best to get to have sounds from the keyboard and patterns on the mpc all together, so I can get full beats put on a cd when i'm done. If somebody can help me out with some tips that would be great. I'm tryin to save some $ so if you know of any thing certain thats good let me know. This will be my first mpc.

You seem like u want to rely heavily on your computer so recommend u get a sound card with enough ins and outs. Gettin a mixer is optional but if u have enough ins and outs on your computer then u really dont need it in my opinion.

If you buy a "usb audio/midi interface" u can just sync up with a DAW and track right into the pc and mix it down from there.

i recently bought an 8 track tascam multitrack recorder (DP-011fx), and i really like it. It just has 2 inputs, so it's kinda limited in that respect, but it's nice not using a computer when i'm in the studio. It's less hassle to turn on and record a track than a computer. I still have a protools mbox, that i'll still use if I need to, but I'm liking the tascam for recording and overdubbing. It doesn't have nearly the flexibility of editing Protools, but the hands on hardware feel of the Tascam multitrack recorder is a more fun/creative approach for me. this is after using protools and cubase for the last 12 or so years.

melton wrote:i recently bought an 8 track tascam multitrack recorder (DP-011fx), and i really like it. It just has 2 inputs, so it's kinda limited in that respect, but it's nice not using a computer when i'm in the studio. It's less hassle to turn on and record a track than a computer. I still have a protools mbox, that i'll still use if I need to, but I'm liking the tascam for recording and overdubbing. It doesn't have nearly the flexibility of editing Protools, but the hands on hardware feel of the Tascam multitrack recorder is a more fun/creative approach for me. this is after using protools and cubase for the last 12 or so years.

nice; i have a friend getting into recording and i was recommending the Tascam to him cause it looks well spec'd with a natural interface.

any more comments on that machine?

yea, for the cash (about $500 cdn) it's pretty nice. it's got a 40 gig drive, some interesting fx that can be applied as you're recording. over the weekend I dove into some of the simple editing functions, which work well for basic, moving, copying, insert etc... you have your 8 tracks, each strip has knobs for pan, a hi eq, and a low eq, an effect send which can either go to the internal reverb, or outboard gear which is recorded at master mixdown, and the faders.
with the mpc it's got midi clock output, so you can be synced up, which is kinda crucial if you're using sequencers. it records 44.1 khz uncompressed, sounds good to me, and it has 2 phantom powered xlr inputs and 2 1/4" inputs, can't use xlr and 1/4" at the same time though. there's no automation for fader moves, so everything is live when bouncing or mastering down tracks. auto punch-in, punch-in on the fly

so basically it's a very simple, but functional recorder, it feels really solid, and sounds good too. pretty much what you'd expect from TASCAM. I'd say for the money, it's awesome. it's been a load of fun recording layers of misc toys and drones for indulgent soundscapes, but also recording live drums and playing live instruments. feels so loose after concentrating on more loop based stuff for awhile. but still syncs to midi for sequencers too... if i had the cash, i would've looked into something with more inputs, but since i'm usually playing by myself (heheh), the 2 inputs are fine.

i originally picked up a little 4 track zoom recorder that recorded to smart media compressed 32 khz, just for recording little sessions, but the sound quality and 4 track limit was so crappy, i decided to upgrade it to the tascam. (from tom lee music), and it's pretty much replaced protools for my needs, although, i could still see using protools for polish. It has functions for exporting tracks to wav files, that seem to work well, but I haven't hooked it up to my computer yet (usb 2).

i don't know what it is, maybe it's cause i work on computers all day, but at the end of the day, when i'm making music, i'd rather not deal with a computer, it's nice to have a break from computer monitors. also i think it forces you to listen more, which is good.

they also have one with a cd burner, but it's like $700, so i figured i could use my computer for backup and making disks, but it would be nice to do that in the box too...

let me know if you have any other questions.

excellent, thanx again.

now i want one!!

and::

melton wrote:i don't know what it is, maybe it's cause i work on computers all day, but at the end of the day, when i'm making music, i'd rather not deal with a computer, it's nice to have a break from computer monitors. also i think it forces you to listen more, which is good.

don't i know that. im in the same situation.

one thing that i actually did recently that helped was spend some $$$ getting a 'quiet pc' case and cpu fan- i cant believe how much more it makes it feel ok to use my computer for recording etc.

(not because the noise got in the recording, just because hearing constant pc noise puts me in a bad mood!)

Would i be able to use an mpc and a keyboard(a keyboard with sounds like a casio or microkorg, to make melodies) With a Multitack recorder that has an internal cd burner. Would this work just like hooking the two to a soundcard or mixer for a computer. I want to be able to hear and record drum patterns and the sounds from a keyboard. So would recording them to a multitrack recorder work to get a full beat on a cd. I'm tryin to find the best way to go to save some money. What's best.

sleepersriddle wrote:excellent, thanx again.

one thing that i actually did recently that helped was spend some $$$ getting a 'quiet pc' case and cpu fan- i cant believe how much more it makes it feel ok to use my computer for recording etc.

(not because the noise got in the recording, just because hearing constant pc noise puts me in a bad mood!)

no problem mang!
i know what you mean about computer noize. I found i'd obsess over it. i had this old powertower 180 (mac clone), that sounded like a hovercraft in the studio. I built this crazy box outta inch thick plywood filled with carpet and foam, and i could still hear it. bugged the hell out of me.

MusicHustle, it's pretty hard to say what's best, it's all personal preference. you could definetly do what you're talking about with a cdr equipped multitrack recorder, or you could do it with a computer using a soundcard and software. I guess you need to weigh out the differences to decide what'll work best for you. Also spending some time at the music store checking shig out is a good way to get a better idea.
If you just want to record live jams onto CD, you could get a little 4 input mixer and hook it up to an audio CD recorder and do it that way if you want. but if you need editing or mix fine tuning, you'lI prolly need a computer or multitrack. don't think there really is a best way.