Drum Machine/Recording Device

[Raz]

OK so I've got my guitar, my tone effects now I need back up so I can start jamming out some tunes. Again keep in mind I'm old school. I have some software on my PC but I just can't get into recording that way...I'd like to lay down a rythm track, even the bass lines(I guess I need a bass) then apply the necessary guitar dressing and perhaps vocals to complete it...any thoughts!

Thanks!

 

[SteveB]

recording devices

Raz,

I think that BOSS (BR-8 or something?) and also Zoom (and perhaps a few others) make digital recording devices for guitarists that feature built-in drum machines. You could also try the Digitech GNX3 or GNX4 pedalboards, which feature drum machine and multitrack recording, too.

I personally use a BOSS DR-770 drum machine, and record my tracks on a Fostex VF-16 (which has been replaced by the VF-160) standalone digital recorder.

It's a nice, small setup for home recording, and you don't have to be tethered to your computer at all!

Nowadays they're packing so much functionality into these little boxes that do everything! It's amazing the kind of recording power you can wield these days for so little money! I routinely make demos at home that sound way better than studio recordings that I made on ADAT machines in the mid 1990's.

You should compare and contrast the multitrack recording guitar workstations from Boss, Zoom, Digitech and others to see what is out there. You're probably better off using an all-in-one device like those, instead of buying several components. You'll save a lot of $$$ and probably never need more than what comes in the box.

I mean, you can start building a recording studio and open up gear possibilities that would make OC go berserk! (Mixers, outboard rack gear of all sorts, monitors, patchbays, etc!)

It's a shame you just bought that V-Amp. You might have been better served with a Digitech GNX4 or something along those lines. It has all the effects, modeling, drum machine, and multitrack recording capability in one pedalboard.
Plus, some of the Guitar mags list Digitech GNX settings in the back with the sheet music, so you can instantly dial in the sound of the song.

You should write down your whole goal before you buy any more gear!

 

[Raz]

Raz,

I think that BOSS (BR-8 or something?) and also Zoom (and perhaps a few others) make digital recording devices for guitarists that feature built-in drum machines. You could also try the Digitech GNX3 or GNX4 pedalboards, which feature drum machine and multitrack recording, too.

I personally use a BOSS DR-770 drum machine, and record my tracks on a Fostex VF-16 (which has been replaced by the VF-160) standalone digital recorder.

It's a nice, small setup for home recording, and you don't have to be tethered to your computer at all!

Nowadays they're packing so much functionality into these little boxes that do everything! It's amazing the kind of recording power you can wield these days for so little money! I routinely make demos at home that sound way better than studio recordings that I made on ADAT machines in the mid 1990's.

You should compare and contrast the multitrack recording guitar workstations from Boss, Zoom, Digitech and others to see what is out there. You're probably better off using an all-in-one device like those, instead of buying several components. You'll save a lot of $$$ and probably never need more than what comes in the box.

I mean, you can start building a recording studio and open up gear possibilities that would make OC go berserk! (Mixers, outboard rack gear of all sorts, monitors, patchbays, etc!)

It's a shame you just bought that V-Amp. You might have been better served with a Digitech GNX4 or something along those lines. It has all the effects, modeling, drum machine, and multitrack recording capability in one pedalboard.
Plus, some of the Guitar mags list Digitech GNX settings in the back with the sheet music, so you can instantly dial in the sound of the song.

You should write down your whole goal before you buy any more gear!

Hmmm good call, I will look into the all in one, but again it comes down to features, ease of use and availability(here in Ottawa, equipment isn't always readily available, like EBMM's your lucky if you find more than two in any store)...I purchased the V-Amp rather quickly because my playing was suffering...NO TONE=NO PLAY...but that's me...ever since I got the V-Amp I can't stop, and if I decide on an all in one, I can quickly sell this baby and get a reasonably good price...thanks Steve...I'll Google that stuff ASAP!

 

[Jimi D]

Steve's and Long & McQuade carry the Digitech GNX stuff, but the top-o'-the-line model Steve mentions is quite expensive - around $800CDN I think... Very cool toys, but pricey...

 

[Raz]

Steve's and Long & McQuade carry the Digitech GNX stuff, but the top-o'-the-line model Steve mentions is quite expensive - around $800CDN I think... Very cool toys, but pricey...

Yeah...right there that's too much for me, again I have to be wise about these things...
I know where I could get a drum machine for a pretty good price though...

 

[SteveB]

I agree that the Digitech GNX4 is pricey. I usually see it for about $US 600.00.
But with the onboard recorder (8 track, I think?) and the drum machine, it ought to be worth it. Heck, I paid hundreds for my Boss DR-770 Drum machine, alone! (Money well spent, though. I love that little blue bugger! )

And even a decent 4-track tape recorder will set you back two or three hundred bucks new.

So, by the time you'd purchase (all new) a board full of pedals, drum machine, and multitrack recorder you would probably be in for over $600.

One thing to check though...

I'm not sure if you can record on a GNX board from anything other than the guitar input. You'd be okay for guitars & bass (and the internal drum machine, I would think). But I don't know if you can use the board's mic input as a source for recording. (You did mention possibly adding vocals, right?)

It probably can, but I'd check on each model you consider before taking the plunge.

 

[Raz]

I agree that the Digitech GNX4 is pricey. I usually see it for about $US 600.00.
But with the onboard recorder (8 track, I think?) and the drum machine, it ought to be worth it. Heck, I paid hundreds for my Boss DR-770 Drum machine, alone! (Money well spent, though. I love that little blue bugger! )

And even a decent 4-track tape recorder will set you back two or three hundred bucks new.

So, by the time you'd purchase (all new) a board full of pedals, drum machine, and multitrack recorder you would probably be in for over $600.

One thing to check though...

I'm not sure if you can record on a GNX board from anything other than the guitar input. You'd be okay for guitars & bass (and the internal drum machine, I would think). But I don't know if you can use the board's mic input as a source for recording. (You did mention possibly adding vocals, right?)

It probably can, but I'd check on each model you consider before taking the plunge.

Good point Steve thanks...the way I look at it. while I search for a reasonable device, my time spent with my V-amp is well served as I will discover new sounds, techniqes that will lead to new songs to write...so it all works out...and I never planned it this way...

 

[Raz]

Vocals are a go...dang now I'm excited...

But, the GNX3's™ power to unleash a guitarist's creative potential is fully realized in song writing. By utilizing the built-in drum machine and bass amp modeler, a guitarist can first lay down rhythm tracks on the built-in 8-track recorder. Then selecting from the GNX3's™ unlimited library of amp models, DigiTech's exclusive and powerful CIT™ (Cabinet Imaging Technology) feature, and a complete set of on-board effects, the guitarist can then lay down the guitar tracks. When that's finished, vocals can then be recorded on the remaining tracks using the balanced XLR mic input on the rear of the GNX3™. Even keyboards and DJ scratching can be added through the rear-panel instrument input. There's no limit! Plus, recording time can be greatly increased utilizing the SmartMedia™ card slot on the rear panel.

Look at this price: 399.00 US

http://store.yahoo.com/gear1/diggngenguit1.html

Dang I just watched an MPEG on this baby and I'm salivating...I don't know whose worse, OC, JimiD or you Steve for getting me all hot and bothered...now if I can just get one shipped to Canada...

oh BTW Steve, I read that it's recording is limited to 6 min, and that you need to purchase an aditional memory stick...

 

[SteveB]

Digitech GNX

Raz,

$399 US ain't too bad for that GNX3 unit. I paid like $389 for my RP-2000 several years ago, and that doesn't have the recorder or drum machine!

I'll bet the new GNX4 boards have more memory and thus more recording time. But they're around $600 as mentioned earlier.

SmartMedia cards are cheap these days. I see TigerDirect selling 128MB for $24.99. At that price, you could buy a handful of them and use 'em like tapes! (This media is becoming obsolete though. Which is probably why the GNX4 uses CompactFlash memory instead of SmartMedia).

 

[Raz]

Yeah I'm kinda leaning towards the GNX 4, I started a thread in the music discussion, I didn't realize I was misposting here in the EBMM guitar area...thanks Steve...well actually right now I don't know if thanks is the right expression...nah just kidding, my wife dislikes you though!

 

[SteveB]

Raz,

My apologies to your wife! Tell her that she can pre-empt any future gear purchases (on your part) by sending me all of your EBMM guitars!

 

[Eddie Van Halen]

Digitech DRX4 i think its called

 

[Raz]

OK I have found a few more units that may be of interest, I know I will look at these two more closely.
The first is a Roland BR-864
http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?catid=12&subcatid=48&prodid=BR-864

And the second is the Zoom MRS802B(CD)

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/englishie_index.html