| Yet Another 'Help me, I'm confused' thread...:)
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Where to begin...okay, I'll start off by saying that there is a Megaton of good info here, and I'm still wading through it - the FAQs, links, etc.
After a 10 year hiatus, my former bandmates and I have been getting back together - the kids are older (so are we), the drama is gone, and we're just having fun. Our goal is to play, have fun, possibly write a song or two, have some more fun, maybe even play live again - all while having fun, of course.
We've been just noodling around in the drummer's basement - and we've been recording through a small PA and a couple of mics direct into a cassette deck. After listening to the last tape, I decided it just isn't cutting it: okay for idea reference, but horrible for even halfway decent sound.
Here's what we have, for reference:
Peavey Power amp + mixer (8 channel board)
Various Shure SM-57/58s.
More mics on the way (Crown PZM Condensers - yay eBay - and a couple other decent condenser mics.)
Floor monitors
Alesis Quadraverb
GK Backline amp for me (with good direct out).
I've been looking at the Tascam DP-02cf - runs around $200 locally (used), but I've also been considering recording direct to my laptop (Athlon 1800, 1gb ram, etc.). But a decent interface would run me about $200+, and I don't think it would work with the laptop well.
By the way, my budget is under $300 (so the wife doesn't kill me).
Basically, I'm trying to decide how I can:
a) get the most bang for my buck. I know if I get the Tascam, I'll have the ability to record to Flash, transfer to pc, edit, etc. But to get a really good mix, we'll be overdubbing guitar/bass/vox, etc. Conversely, if I go with the pc-based recording, I'm spending about the same for interfaces/software/etc - and I'd need a pc available in the rehearsal space.
b) Record with a minimum of fuss. I'm a fairly tech savvy - but computer recording interfaces still Frighten and Confuse Me. Also the idea of bouncing tracks and doing multiple overdubs takes the 'spontaneity' out of playing and recording. So I'd like to be able to find that happy medium of 'get a decent baseline mix recorded' and 'have the option for overdubbing/adding trax'.
As I said, I'm still reading all the FAQs/help threads, but any help/advice would be most welcome.
If there's any additional info I can post, just let me know. And thanks in advance. | 
