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Need something simple for scratch tracks

ii7-V7

ii7-V7

Aug 4, 2002
748
258
Baltimore, MD
thedukeandduchesspodcast.com
#1
I've been reading up on recording and home studios and most of it just confuses me. I'm not very technical. However, what I need is simple. I just want a quick and easy way to record vocals and guitar/bass on the fly to record ideas. I'm not looking for great quality...though it's nice, it's not necessary for me. If I can plug in my bass, sing my and share the file with band mates I'm happy.
It doesn't make sense for me at this stage to buy a mixer, protools, etc. Perhaps one...maybe even soon. But, in the meantime what can I get that will satisfy my needs reasonably cheap.
 
#5
Yes. Search "digital field recorders" in your price range. The cheap ones will be less expensive than a new phone (but more expensive than an older used phone or tablet, which could run a bunch of useful audio apps).

Most of the handheld recorders can connect to your computer via USB, and you can usually copy their audio files directly to your computer.
 
#6
My favorite tool for this, these days, is GarageBand on my iPad. The app was only 9.99, and includes some top rate samples, and autoplay options on guitar, bass, drums, and piano. If you already have iRig, it will appear as an instrument as well. There is also a rudimentary vocal recorder and sampler, with effects. I can "jot down" a musical idea in a matter of minutes with it.
 
#7
dreamadream99 said:
My favorite tool for this, these days, is GarageBand on my iPad.
Click to expand...

I have an iPad. But, I don't have an interface. My thought behind getting a decent quality portable recorder is that I can also record practices and shows with it and still have decent quality. I'm assuming that the quality of these recorders is better than what you'll pick up on an iPhone or iPad mic.
 
#8
ii7-V7 said:
I have an iPad. But, I don't have an interface. My thought behind getting a decent quality portable recorder is that I can also record practices and shows with it and still have decent quality. I'm assuming that the quality of these recorders is better than what you'll pick up on an iPhone or iPad mic.
Click to expand...

You have 90% of what you need for great recordings with the iPad itself. Lots of internal storage, ability to email files right from it, etc. You can Google all sorts of interfaces and devices that let you record directly to an app like Garageband on your iPad and get very good quality for not much more cash than you've already spent on the iPad.
 
#9
ii7-V7 said:
I have an iPad. But, I don't have an interface. My thought behind getting a decent quality portable recorder is that I can also record practices and shows with it and still have decent quality. I'm assuming that the quality of these recorders is better than what you'll pick up on an iPhone or iPad mic.
Click to expand...

You'll get at least the same live-to-stereo quality from iPad as from a Zoom or Tascam. Neither will be major release quality, but either will be fine for demos. But with an interface the iPad can overdub, comp tracks, use loops, and run virtual instruments and plug-ins on Garageband, etc. It's just a *far* more powerful and flexible platform than a handheld digital recorder. It's also more convenient to upload tracks from an iPad than from a handheld digital field recorder.

The main advantage of a mini-digital recorder is in live recording shows: you can place it out above the crowd in spots you couldn't place (or wouldn't want to leave) an iPad.
 
#11
Built in mic is adequate for very rough scratch tracks. Placed just right, it can actually sound decent but isn't great. Look up the Line 6 Sonic Port VX, you can plug instruments into it, and it has a decent quality mic built in: I have the old one, without the built in mic, and it sounds good.
 
#13
Focusrite idock for your iPad. It's simple, designed for an iPad and has it's own two channel daw app if you don't want of get something else (but if you want high quality cubassis or auria are available). I have a radial jdi and a sansamp vt that both sound really good but you can just plug straight in if you want. It's well worth the 200.
 
#14
I see two options for you:

1. Standalone recorder - e.g. Tascam DR-05 and similar: Pros: relatively cheap (~$200) and easy to get going, battery powered option so not tethered to a power supply. Built in stereo condenser mic is better quality than phone or iPad mic. Cons: not as easy to share material (need to copy files from recorder to computer - USB or SD card reader - import into audio software for editing, etc, then share). Built in audio editing capability not terribly easy to use.

2. iPad with interface dock - e.g., Focusrite, Alesis. Pros: about the same cost as a standalone recorder, with more routing options (1/4", XLR in and out, etc). Better software apps than a standalone recorder (e.g, GarageBand for iPad and so on). East to record, mix, edit, share all on iPad. Cons: if you want to record voice live from the floor, you'll probably want a half-decent large diaphragm condenser mic - around $100 for entry level. Interface requires a power supply, not as convenient as a standalone recorder.
 

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