I'm looking for a decent digital eight track.  Hoping it has some decent effects on it like reverb and delay for vocals and mastering.  Either a burner built in or easy hook up to a computer to do it or an mp3 converter.

The analog four track just isn't enough anymore.  I need to lay down tracks for two guitars, bass, mandolin, I've started playing bodhran now, so a track for that.  I'm already over and I haven't laid down any vocal tracks yet.  And that leaves only three for vocals.  Bouncing tracks on analog leaves way too much hiss.

Who can recommend a good one that has what I need?  Quickly, I'm almost desparate!

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But I know I'm going to do it again!
Oh Yeah!
Robbie

Why not go to a software-based system?

I have narrowed down my search to Sony Acid or Cakewalk USB Music Pack. 

General consensus is that Acid has some limitations, but Cakewalk is difficult to learn. 

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

Doing it all on computer is the end goal, but I would need a second (decent) computer for that.  Not that I'm doing badly or anything but a second computer is a little bit of a luxury that is quite expensive.  My computer is in the middle of the house and gets used by more than just me.  I need something that I can use in my music room where I won't be making other people sick with endless takes of the same riff over and over and over again.

And something that's portable.  I'd like to be able to take it with me easily.  Record practise and shows and stuff like that.

One day I'll build a proper studio in my house but it's going to have to wait a little while.  For now I'll have to settle with something smaller.

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But I know I'm going to do it again!
Oh Yeah!
Robbie

This is only 4 tracks (32 virtual) but look at the price:

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Track-Digital-Recorder-Effects/dp/B00079PRPC/ref=sr_1_13/104-5053214-3609548?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1187049518&sr=8-13 

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

Hey MikeB you said you have used Audacity. Have you ever had troubles with the Mic not picking up your guitar because I've been having difficulties with that as of late. If you have, how did you fix it?? I'm thinking it may be the Mic automatically cancelling out the guitar and looking for a voice but I can't be sure...

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You Know you are a Bluenoser When…You think of the major food groups as: Meat, Fish and Tim Horton’s.

I tried Audacity with keyboards only, was not impressed with the features.

Right now I'm debating between Sony Acid 7 and Cakewalk USB Music Pack (which includes a Midi-USB adapter, itself worth at least $30). 

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

I heard that Garageband on the new Macs is a really great program for recording. I haven't tried it, but a few of my friends do and they really like it.

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When the first caveman drove in from the drags
Didn’t know what would go with the bacon and the eggs
Must have met a genius, got it in his head
Plug the toaster in the wall, buy a bag of bread
Make toast.
YEAH, TOAST!

Yes, everyone with Macs seems to like GB.

I'm going to try a download of N-track available here:  http://fasoft.com/  If I like it, then I'll have to register and pay, if not, I'm not out anything.   

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

I have a feeling my sound card is not up to snuff for any of the higher-end software recording choices.  I downloaded the n-Tracks and got all sorts of buffer error messages.  Maybe I'll be looking at a little stand alone, too.

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

Okay, I got one.  I picked up a Tascam DP-01FX yesterday.  It's got everything I need and the price wasn't too bad ($490CDN.)  It doesn't have the CD burner right in it but it does have a USB connection for when I'm ready to transfer and burn copies.

http://www.tascam.com/details;8,16,34.html

I'm going to check out a couple of threads, then back down the the music room.

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But I know I'm going to do it again!
Oh Yeah!
Robbie

Looks like a good deal - I see it for $450 in the US.

Be sure and check out the Bulletin Board and other info at http://www.homerecording.com

 

 

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

I'm impressed so far with what this Tascam can do.  And I'm only doing basic stuff right now but it's good.  I like the fact you can put a click track on (metronome) while recording.  I haven't tried the electric guitar effects yet, but the acoustic (and mandolin), bass and vocals are alright.  I haven't found the best bodhran effect yet in the drum effects, but maybe the added reverb you can add while mastering will be okay.

(Mc)Mastering is the next step for me.  I got one ready to go.  Tomorrow, maybe.

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But I know I'm going to do it again!
Oh Yeah!
Robbie

I've been looking at the Boss BR600 - it's about 3/4 of the price of the Tascam. One drawback I saw in reviews on units with a hard drive is that they can be noisy - or worse yet, fail. Be sure and back up all your work on a regular basis! The Boss recorder uses smart cards for memory. Before I buy anything, I'm going to try work with Audacity again, but I think y soundcard isn't going to do it.

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic

for my fiddle lessons, i do a lot of learing by ear, so it has become necesary for me to have a portable recording device.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=42868&Category=Recorders

i was FLOORED by the sound quality that little sucker can punch out. there are FOUR little mics in it, so it effectively gets surround sound (not really necessary for my needs, but very cool none the less.) it records directly to an SD card, so it is digital, and i can easily upload the files to a CD so i can play back through my stereo.

i highly recomend the H2, its a wee bit pricey, but really worth it. i did not expect this kind of qaulity from a portable device, but now im looking at other recording projects (like my highschool orchestra) because of the magnitude of this device.

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it's not so bad.

**before you get mad at someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away, and you will have their shoes**

I'm seriously shopping for a digital 8-track now that I have realized my PC doesn't have the capability for decent recording.

I've pretty much decided on this:  BOSS BR 600   ALl the users reviews seem to make it out as a great tool for amateur use.

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http://mjbphotos.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mikebirchmusic