Im new and overwhelmed

[metal4ever]

Hello,
Im almost seventeen and am juggling a couple of bands.
I love metal and music and am trying to learn as much as possible.
Right now I am upgrading my bass gear, but eventually I wish to get something to start recording my bands with.
I am confused about PA systems, and about everything beyond guitars, amps, and pedals.
I have looked up tascam 4 track recorders but my bro suggests something digital, because analog to digital sucks and takes forever.
Any and all suggestions, and information would be greatly appreciated.

[brandondrury]

I say go with a computer recording rig. Other routes are typically dead ends, depending on you needs.

because analog to digital sucks and takes forever.

I'm not sure exactly what this means.

What is your budget? Are you planning on recording drums?

Brandon

[metal4ever]

Im not worried about analog to digital anymore. I'm just going to go digital.
My dad was a musician, he passed away recently and my bro and i have a small selection of gear we inherited. We got three guitars, two amps, a few mics and stand, a mixer and some monitors. There is probably more I havent found out about yet.

My budget is really small being a high school student and a musician, with out a real job. Over the summer I will get a part time job. As of now the plan is to get a Tascam dp-01 portastudio. Just something to mess around and compose on. I do plan on recording drums, or using a drum machine. (drummers are complete flakes)

On the computer my dad used logic. I have a macbook with leopard.

After reading some of the threads such as the "10 things every band needs to know"
I dont think i should dig to deep into recording. Like i said my plans are for composing and cutting rough demos.

Sorry about the delayed post.

[brandondrury]

My budget is really small being a high school student and a musician, with out a real job. Over the summer I will get a part time job. As of now the plan is to get a Tascam dp-01 portastudio.

This isn't a bad plan. Consider snagging it here.

On the computer my dad used logic. I have a macbook with leopard.

I'm curious as to why you are buying a recorder when it sounds like your dad already had a good recording rig.

[metal4ever]

I didnt receive the computer, but i have access to everything else.
So I can get a new software for the mac or the portastudio. Im think Im goin with the portastudio, I find the software intimidating.
My bro and i have tried recording with garage band unsuccessfully.
Somethings wrong with the input on my mac and the mic on the computer sucks.

[brandondrury]

I find the software intimidating.

This is one of those "the only thing to fear is fear itself" situations.

[metal4ever]

ok
what is a sound card.

[brandondrury]

A soundcard/audio interface is the way you put audio into your computer and how you send audo out of your computer.
Home Recording Soundcard Wizard / Audio Interface Search Tool

Brandon

[metal4ever]

Wait, can I just hook my mixer up to my laptop via usb or firewire and record or will there be latency issues?

[brandondrury]

Well, assuming that your mixer has is also a low latency audio interface like the Alesis Multimix series, there should not be any latency issues.

Brandon