I received my new Tascam US122L USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface & preamp yesterday and won't have time to read up on it until Monday. The pro's recommended this unit to overcome my problem experienced by plugging the dynamic mics directly into the computer sound board. I had to have the mics too close to get any volume, plus I had an inherent background noise that was less than desirable. This unit with a preamp should bring the gain up so I can keep the Heil mics spaced away further. Also the direct USB plug in should eliminate any problems that might be in the sound board. Instead of using three adapters to go from balanced line to 1/8 inch phone, it has XLR jack inputs so I can hook the pro balanced line Heils direct. It also has phantom power (which I don't need) or basically a voltage run through the mic cable for using electret mics that now days are incorrectly called condenser mics. They are a form of a condenser or capacitor mic, but differ from a true condenser mic that will run several hundred to a few thousand dollars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electret_microphone - I found the Heils perform as well if not better than expensive condenser mics for recording live acoustical instruments, especially flamenco. Positioning of the mic is not as important as with a condenser. With this USB interface and preamp hooked to my desktop, I hope to simplify recording. My purpose for recording is to post my playing on our download section for your enjoyment or not and for your critique. Also so my kids and G kids can have a recording of my playing when I have departed this planet.

I am interested to hear what others use to record and how you combat the problem of recording nerves. It shouldn't make any difference whether the recorder is on or not as I am the only one present when recording or playing, but it does. This is a physiological problem I hope to overcome by just letting the recorder go frequently so it becomes a routine part of my practice. Any other ideas on how to overcome this problem?

Manos Lentas wrote:I am interested to hear what others use to record and how you combat the problem of recording nerves. It shouldn't make any difference whether the recorder is on or not as I am the only one present when recording or playing, but it does. This is a physiological problem I hope to overcome by just letting the recorder go frequently so it becomes a routine part of my practice. Any other ideas on how to overcome this problem?

Since it doesn't cost anything but disk space to let a computer recorder run all the time, maybe the problem of being nervous with a recorder running could be overcome by always running the recorder. After a while you probably would forget about the recorder. Also, you would always have recordings at those times when your playing is at its best.

I have the TASCAM 2488 MKII hard disk recorder - it's got something over 80Gb of storage space and connects to the PC via USB, so you can perfect the recording before sending it to the PC.

It means I can record everything I play every time I play - a lot of it's rubbish, but I get the occasional decent performance saved.



Alan

I returned the Tascam as the software for it was very complicated and more for a professional with lots of time on their hands. The dealer I bought it from is sending me another brand tube preamp that has a USB and also a phone plug output so I can use my computer's soundcard and my Blaze audio program or the USB and try the different software that they send with it. I am trying to keep it simple. Your recorder sounds like the way to go, but I cannot justify spending the bucks for it no more than I record.

Alternatively, the Boss Micro BR is a very good 4-track recorder which can export via WAV or MP3 and is far more reasonably priced. You can just set it going and play. Although it's obviously designed for electric guitars, with lots of amp simulations, the built-in mic is pretty good and you can plug in an external dynamic mic. Something like £150 in the UK these days.

You'd need some software on your PC to beef up the sound - I use Audacity, which is a freebie and very widely used by the electric and classical guitarists on other boards I frequent.


Alan

Portable recording setup. Zoom H2 handheld digital recorder mounted on Heil (Atlas) short (snare drum) floor stand with short boom. When compressed it is the perfect height for guitar recording, but can be raised high enough for vocals fully extended. The H2 looks like a mic on it.