Recording MP3 clips - Advice needed please

[Scotty477]

I'm looking to make some recordings for the player section but have zero experience in doing this

What equipment are people here using to record?

I've had a look around myself and saw this http://www.guitar.co.uk/recording/multi_track/1174-boss_micro_br_multitrack_recorder




Would this do the job?

Cheers

[noodleplugerine]

I've been looking at this too.

If it's good, I'll be buying one.

[38thBeatle]

I should think that it would do the job.It has usb connectivity which presumably allows you to upload to your PC.Otherwise the issue is going to be getting the music to your PC and you'd presumably need a card reader if the unit does not connect for that purpose.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Taken from  http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=818

The World's Smallest Pro Studio
Features

Meet the ultimate palmtop guitar companion and recording studio. Only slightly larger than an iPod, the tiny-yet-powerful MICRO BR is a dream for musicians on the go. The MICRO BR offers four simultaneous playback tracks (plus 32 V-Tracks), MP3 compatibility, onboard multi-effects, built-in rhythm patterns, a tuner, USB, an SD Card slot, and more. No guitar case or gig bag should be without one!

    * Ultra portable, only slightly larger than an iPod
    * 4-track playback, 32 V-Tracks
    * Loads and plays MP3 files
    * Multi-effects onboard; dedicated guitar input
    * Time-Stretch and Center Cancel features (including MP3 files)
    * 293 rhythm patterns
    * Built-in tuner and microphone
    * USB port for data transfer
    * SD Card slot for recording media, 128MB card included

[Scotty477]

What I'm looking for is a bit of kit that I can simply sit beside my amp and press record - and then easily transfer it to my PC as an MP3.

I'm pretty certain that this machine will do that but ... I also want to record my guitar over an MP3 or MIDI backing track. I'll need to do a bit more research on this, so I get the right equipment.

[hunter]

What I'm looking for is a bit of kit that I can simply sit beside my amp and press record - and then easily transfer it to my PC as an MP3.

I'm pretty certain that this machine will do that but ... I also want to record my guitar over an MP3 or MIDI backing track. I'll need to do a bit more research on this, so I get the right equipment.

I am always experimenting with mic positions, so for me is a possibility to monitor the mic signal on the fly very important. I don't think that any device is needed for home recording, get a mixer and an audio interface and a sequencer program, some good monitors (!), will do much better than the recorder in a box thing.

Those devices make only sense if it's about mobile recording IMO.

[noodleplugerine]

What I'm looking for is a bit of kit that I can simply sit beside my amp and press record - and then easily transfer it to my PC as an MP3.

I'm pretty certain that this machine will do that but ... I also want to record my guitar over an MP3 or MIDI backing track. I'll need to do a bit more research on this, so I get the right equipment.

I am always experimenting with mic positions, so for me is a possibility to monitor the mic signal on the fly very important. I don't think that any device is needed for home recording, get a mixer and an audio interface and a sequencer program, some good monitors (!), will do much better than the recorder in a box thing.

Those devices make only sense if it's about mobile recording IMO.

Most of us are after something cheap, and simple, which we can just use on the fly to record a riff or w/e.

[MDV]

Youre gonna be better of with a decent DAS and mic. Record into whatever DAW.

EMU make some really good cheaper DAS's. The 0404 is pretty much without  peer in its price range: its got really clear pres and decent DACs. Stick an SM57 into it, and the results will be easier and better than the protable recorders. An EMU 1616M, like mine, is even better: better sound, incredibly flexible for such a little box. I swear by it (I'm looking to get something with more pres to record more instruments at once or line more mics onto one guitar, but I'm really worried that what I get wont sound as good, cos the sounds are amazing).

Good starting point/s
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/15385
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/28380
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/?keyword=sm57&sa=Go&page=shop%2Fsearch_results&manufacturer_id=0

Decent cables and a mic stand and youre off.

Then mixdown to mp3 in cubase, reaper, sonar, audacity, audition, whatever you want.

Edit: Oh and you'll need headphones. Senn HD202s are silly-good for the money. HD25s are where its at if you wanna get good stuff right away (there are others that are really good too, but theres no need to make this into a headphone thread!)

[Scotty477]

Thanks MDV.

I'd love to be able to get the kit that you're talking about but I'm also looking closely at the multi track recording aspect as well and after shelling out on new BKP'S for my Les Paul (and also having it refretted)  as well as buying a Strat , money is a little tight  

I'll look at the best value for cash option and then decide.

I certainly won't be buying a Boss BR, without seeing it demo'd in a store first.

I'm going to look at one tomorrow ... I'll report back  :)

[DeanS]

I have a micro br and whilst its an impressive piece of kit for the money/size it can be a bit 'fiddly' . Most of the time I use my PC as its more straightforward!

[Scotty477]

The Micro BR does look as if it could be a bit of a handful, due to its small stature.

I've had a good look about for recording mediums and the Boss BR-600 is catching my eye.

It's the big brother of the BR Micro but appears to much more 'hands on'. Here's a link for it.

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Boss---BR-600~ID~4812.asp

This demo looks pretty good for it as well, although I'm not so naive as to think it'll be this easy to use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBMZeqnpKlM

[Will]

I've usede the BR900 I think, and its pretty easy to get going, but I think the manual is quite thick, and it can be a bit of an arse to transfer to the PC.
saying that, I was only playing through it, my mate was pressing the buttons, but it didn't look that hard

[38thBeatle]

One of the things I have a need for is a quick and easy way of recording new ideas. I have a DAW and I created a "song" called simply "new stuff" and I can record an idea onto a track and save that.If I were to play all the tracks together at once there would be a cacophony but I only monitor one track, ie the one where I stored a particular idea.If it ends up as a song, I can delete and reuse that track.I have been doing that for ages and have never come close to running out of space on the internal hard drive.The only disadvantage for me is that it is not portable. I am considering getting a field recorder so that I can make a half decent live recording of the band and also any songwriting that evolves from jams. That BR600 seems to approach this issue though it is going to depend on how easy it is in everyday use and getting ideas from machine to PC. I have been looking at a Zoom h4 for example-I am aware of the pitfalls however ( flimsy build and fiddly to use) but I mention anyway to you. I dunno if any of this helps but hopefully it does.

[Scotty477]

I looked at the Zoom but in a straight comparison to the BR-600 it doesn't seem to be the best option.

I like the portability of both units but the BR-600 just seems to look far more user friendly to me.

The temptation to just buy one is pretty high at the moment  

[Henk]

The temptation to just buy one is pretty high at the moment  

I often buy the cheapest acceptable alternative when i have that. Like i bought my Line6 Toneport GX, its REALLY dirt cheap and its perfect to just record some stuff/ideas. You do need a PC or laptop to record thoughand you can only record one instument at a time with the GX, which makes it unusable for your band recording wishes. Now i can just take my time in deciding what i actually NEED, which isnt much, well i do want a better drumkit but its managable like this atm.