Yet Another Recording Question

[johnjohn320]

Here's the situation:

I have a piano upstairs and this computer down here in the basement. I'd like to record some piano stuff. I have some microphones and a decent PA system w/mixer. But what to record to? Being short on cash, I bought a cheap little tape recorder from Office Depot, thinking that the rest of the equipment would ensure some high-quality recording. Well, as I've learned, crappy tape recorder (I don't think this one was even meant to record music) means crappy quality recording, period. All the sound just kind of runs together.

So, I figured that unless I was willing to spend big bucks on something else, I would have to bring up the computer to my living room and record into that. But man, that sounds like a hassle.

Any suggestions?

 

[BennyD]

maybe get like 6 x 10 metre cable extentions and run it all the way to your computer?

like headphone extentions

 

[yellowperil]

How much do you want to spend? You can get a digital multitracker for as little as $300 nowadays, but using your PC will give similar results. Another option is a portable minidisc player for around $150. Also what kind of mics are you using?

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
How much do you want to spend? You can get a digital multitracker for as little as $300 nowadays, but using your PC will give similar results. Another option is a portable minidisc player for around $150. Also what kind of mics are you using?

Yeah, I'm broke. And I mean, broke.

I've got a Shure SM-57 and couple Audio-Technica ATR's (20's and 30's).

 

[BennyD]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320

Originally posted by: yellowperil
How much do you want to spend? You can get a digital multitracker for as little as $300 nowadays, but using your PC will give similar results. Another option is a portable minidisc player for around $150. Also what kind of mics are you using?

Yeah, I'm broke. And I mean, broke.

I've got a Shure SM-57 and couple Audio-Technica ATR's (20's and 30's).

i think your stuck with (in order of ease):

1. long cable
2. moving pc
3. moving piano

or maybe just buy a good keyboard and hook it upto midi port

 

[yellowperil]

I forgot to mention there are multitrack cassette recorders selling new for $100 (e.g. Tascam Portastudio). I would personally look for a MD recorder though.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: BennyD
maybe get like 6 x 10 metre cable extentions and run it all the way to your computer?

like headphone extentions

How many of these can you hook up before sound-quality noticably diminishes?

And can someone (forgive my idiocy) give me a picture/description of what these cables are so I know what I'm looking for?

 

[BennyD]

how many you can hook up depends on the quality of the cable, cheapo ones you could probably get 3/4 without noticing any deterioration.

if you want to splash out (kinda) i think you can get optical cables now

these cables just have a male 3.5mm jack on one end and a female on the other with a bundle of cable, just ask in your nearest leccy store

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: BennyD
how many you can hook up depends on the quality of the cable, cheapo ones you could probably get 3/4 without noticing any deterioration.

if you want to splash out (kinda) i think you can get optical cables now

these cables just have a male 3.5mm jack on one end and a female on the other with a bundle of cable, just ask in your nearest leccy store

a) 3/4 of what?
b) What does "splash out" mean?

 

[BennyD]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320

a) 3/4 of what?
b) What does "splash out" mean?

by 3/4 i mean 3 or 4 (10m lengths)

longer sections are better as the connections will degrade the quality more then the cable

"splash out" as in spend a fair bit of cash.