Recording Bass over MP3

rydin4lifebass · #1 01-26-2011, 04:27 PM

I'm looking at the Tascam 8-track recorder, but this might be a stupid question. I'll mainly use it to record an mp3 track and my bass playing at the same time. So..would I run my ipod to my amp and then amp xlr out to this xlr in? or could I run my ipod to input a and my bass to input B, thus giving me two tracks that I can edit levels on separately? I also will be recording with a guitar player and drummer but will use the included mics or one of the other guys mics through the input..really I'm just using mainly for the mp3 track and my bass on top of it..thoughts on how this would work?

http://www.samash.com/p/Tascam_DP008...rder_-49953647

Roy Vogt · #2 01-26-2011, 04:32 PM

You should be able to hear any tracks you've recorded on the Tascam as well as record into it, so I would just record your Ipod (stereo send) to the 2 tracks and then record your bass into another track as you're playing along with the previously recorded stereo track. You would need a 1/8" stereo to two 1/4" mono plugs to do this. They typically have this sort of thing at Radio Shack, although Hosa makes some Pro Grade connectors you can get at better music stores.

rydin4lifebass · #3 01-26-2011, 04:44 PM

Why would the ipod take two tracks, woudln't that be just one?

Would the mp3 track and my bass track be separate or could I have the two merged to one track?

How would I hook this up..bass to amp and then amp xlr out to this, or what is the order to "link" this all together?

sorry for allt he questions, but its all new to me

**lowendfriend** · #4 01-26-2011, 04:59 PM

R and L stereo from the Pod.

You'd want your bass separate, I'd think so that you could tweak its tone, dynamic range and volume separately to be the best match. That is the advantage of independent tracks....you can have different mixes with different "weighting" to each track.

Its value is not so obvious with an MP3 track pair and then a bass track, but add a few more instruments and vocals and you can mix your brains out til you get it all "just right" as Goldilocks once said.

rydin4lifebass · #5 01-26-2011, 05:47 PM

I see what you're saying. I guess I was confused as to how the timing would be..ya know, like I guess if I start playing the bass and recording at the same time as the mp3 track, it would automatically line up..stupid question, but again it's new to me.

Roy Vogt · #6 01-26-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

I see what you're saying. I guess I was confused as to how the timing would be..ya know, like I guess if I start playing the bass and recording at the same time as the mp3 track, it would automatically line up..stupid question, but again it's new to me.

Yes, multitrack recording works because you can do that. I would definitely record stereo out from your Ipod and then record whatever bass tracks, etc. you wish.
Here are two youtube clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMrKhwHvars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxJDu...eature=related
Hope they can shed some light on this.
You might go over to http://www.harmonycentral.com/commun...ing-production and surf around to get some further ideas. Good luck!

rydin4lifebass · #7 01-26-2011, 06:18 PM

thanks..those links work nice..so, not to sound stupid, but it looks like I'd just plug my ipod in and the bass..no amp needed? does it just simulate what it woudl sound like through an amp?

also, could I just use a straight 1/8 from the ipod into 1/4 jack on input a to have the ipod as a single track? or how would u hook it up as track A and track B with the bass as well?

guess I could also record the mp3 as track 1 first and then record that with my bass as track 2 to a new track?

DeathFromBelow · #8 01-26-2011, 07:05 PM

What you need to get for your ipod is a cable with a stereo 1/8 jack in one end and two mono 1/4 jacks in the other end.You need one track for the sound in your left speaker/headphone and one track for the sound in your right speaker/headphone to make a single stereo track on your recorder. If that makes any sense...

rydin4lifebass · #9 01-27-2011, 05:31 AM

I think it does make sense!! So I would record the ipod as track 1 and then have it stored and then could record track 2 as my bass? or merge the two onto one track? I get what you're saying about having a stero track, but what would happen if I only went from 1/8 to one 1/4..just not sound as good?

rydin4lifebass · #10 01-27-2011, 02:01 PM

Also, I'm still wondering how my amp plays into this..where does that fall into the scheme of things?

DeathFromBelow · #11 01-27-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

I think it does make sense!! So I would record the ipod as track 1 and then have it stored and then could record track 2 as my bass? or merge the two onto one track? I get what you're saying about having a stero track, but what would happen if I only went from 1/8 to one 1/4..just not sound as good?

If you go one 1/8 to one 1/4 you will only get a mono track. Look at it this way: When you are listening to music on your ipod thru your headpones,you are hearing one mono track in your left ear and one mono track in your right ear and together they "become" a stereo track. So,you also need to plug your ipod into two tracks on your recorder to make a stereo track. Now,about the amp thing,just use your ears. Try both options:bass straight to recorder and bass thru amp to recorder. Whatever sounds best to you is right!

rydin4lifebass · #12 01-27-2011, 04:11 PM

I have a headphone out on my amp and an xlr out as well...on the tascam, which would work best to use? also, once I get the stereo track on the tascam, does it merge to one track or would it stay as two and how many would my bass be if I went stragith to the recorder..just track 3?

DeathFromBelow · #13 01-27-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

I have a headphone out on my amp and an xlr out as well...on the tascam, which would work best to use? also, once I get the stereo track on the tascam, does it merge to one track or would it stay as two and how many would my bass be if I went stragith to the recorder..just track 3?

Merge the two tracks from the ipod and store them on your recorder as a stereo track. Then you can record your bass on whatever empty track you want(it only needs one as it is a mono signal). I dont know if you are buying the tascam new or used,but make sure the owners manual is included,as it will most likely tell you exactly what you need to know about the basics of recording. Its not as complicated as you may think,dont worry it WILL make perfect sense when you get your hands on it! And use the xlr on your amp,thats what its there for(recording/pa).

Roy Vogt · #14 01-27-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

I have a headphone out on my amp and an xlr out as well...on the tascam, which would work best to use? also, once I get the stereo track on the tascam, does it merge to one track or would it stay as two and how many would my bass be if I went stragith to the recorder..just track 3?

You could use either the XLR out on your amp or just plug the bass directly into the guitar/bass input on the Tascam. As to the mp3 tracks, they would be track one and two and your bass would be track 3. That would still leave 5 more tracks for guitars, keys, vocals or anything else you'd like to record.
Hope this helps!

rydin4lifebass · #15 01-27-2011, 05:15 PM

So..it seems that I could keep tracks 1 and 2 for the mp3 and use track 3 for the bass as roy said OR...merge (master) the tracks into one and then record bass as track 2 as DeathFromBelow said..so definitly have options. If I went xlr from amp to the recorder, would I still hear the sound on my amp, or just on headphones from the recorder?

hell, I guess I could to ipod to amp, bass to amp, and then amp xlr to recorder but that defeeats the multi-track purpose I guess. Definitly agree on the manual..I actually downloaded and printed it out at work just to read though it..probably stupid, but I wanna make sure this is what I want before I spend the money. If you don't mind me asking, from what I've said so far..do you guys think this is a good way to go for this..while leaving room for the future if I wanna reacord my own stuff and mix it with vocals or another guitar player...or I could use the mics to record a jam session..yes?

DeathFromBelow · #16 01-28-2011, 06:33 AM

A digital multitrack recorder is a great tool to own,and it will work for all the jobs you ask about;practising with recorded tracks,jam sessions,mixing and so on. I say go for it! About the amp thing, you can probably do both;turn the amps master volume down(no sound from amp speaker)and you will still get a signal from the xlr-out.

DeathFromBelow · #17 01-28-2011, 06:55 AM

And btw,never be afraid to ask questions even if you think they are "stupid". Its the best way to go if you want to avoid ending up as a ignorant tool!

Like they say;living is for learning...

rydin4lifebass · #18 01-28-2011, 09:23 AM

Thanks man..and all of you...this site has been incredibly helpful and its much appreciated. I figure better to ask now than spend $250 and hate what I bought. It sounds like this will work well for me! I can still pratice with just my ipod and amp, but this give me a good way to record it and critique my playing when listening back and keeps things open for expansion down the road!..thanks again