Nice Cheap Setup

[tplyons]

I'm looking for a cheap setup, I already bought a Tascam Portastudio 414, and need cheap but loud monitors, and perhaps a tape deck. What else would I need that I'm not thinking of? I want to spend less than $250 on everything else. The less I can spend the better.

 

[tplyons]

P.S. This is mostly for recording jam sessions, so it needs to be quick and easy. We may do some demos with it too, so I need to be able to copy.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Go to Radio Shack and get some of these Sonys :

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They're about $50 each (less if you hit a sale) and they sound pretty darn good. And later when you get better speakers, these are good backup reference speakers, since they sound like most people's good car speakers. A reality check, if you will.

Then get a used stereo receiver to use as a power amp, maybe $50 should get you 100W/side.

Then get a Hi-Fi VCR to use as a mixdown deck. You can get them now for about $75, since VCRs are dying out. Much higher fidelity than any cassette deck. Or see if you can find a used MiniDisc recorder instead. Don't waste money on cassette desks.

Don't forget to budget for cables. You don't have to have gold plated hens-teeth decorated unobtanium cables, but neither should you use the cheapest available. Rapco is fine for your needs.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Oh, and use HiFi VCR tapes, at the speed that will give you the shortest recording time (you'll get higher quality at those speeds).

 

[Oysterman]

IMO, you can't expect to get a good monitoring system for $250. Yes, you can get HiFi speakers, but I'd rather spend the money on a nice pair of headphones, and try to make the best mixes possible with those. It's not ideal, but doable.

 

[tplyons]

Oh, and use HiFi VCR tapes, at the speed that will give you the shortest recording time (you'll get higher quality at those speeds).

Considering the current extent of my debt, I'd like to spend as little as possible.

I think I still want to go the cassette route because it's more common to have a tape deck than a minidisc player, especially in a car to force my passengers to listen to my demos.

 

[tplyons]

IMO, you can't expect to get a good monitoring system for $250. Yes, you can get HiFi speakers, but I'd rather spend the money on a nice pair of headphones, and try to make the best mixes possible with those. It's not ideal, but doable.

Nothing more than demos. I don't think I'll be hearing a difference between good and cheap monitors using a 4-track tape deck.

 

[Oysterman]

Nothing more than demos. I don't think I'll be hearing a difference between good and cheap monitors using a 4-track tape deck.

You will hear a difference between a *good* pair of headphones and a *cheap* pair of speakers, though! It'll be MUCH easier to pick up details and nuances. Just a thought.

 

[tplyons]

True. How about a cheap set of speakers, and a decent set of headphones?

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Well, pick up a used dual tape deck, $50 or less. But it will be a big compromise in whatever quality the 4 track was able to acheive.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Just don't go with headphones if you don't also have speakers. Headphones are useful, but almost impossible to mix on by themselves.

Don't budget the phones in your initial $250. Once you get the other stuff, spend $75 on some Sony or AKG open-ear phones.

 

[Oysterman]

True. How about a cheap set of speakers, and a decent set of headphones?

It's better than just one of them, I suppose. Might be hard to stay within your $250 budget, though.