Using Older Recording Gear - Blissful & Simple! A short session....
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- Опубликовано: 19 июн 2024
- There are many older digital multitrack machines still out there, and they offer a simple alternative to computer based systems, and can also be had cheaply: a few tens of £, $ or €.
Here is a short session using the Fostex VF-80 ex, a machine that has XLR inputs, phantom power and a CD drive, all in one box. The machine was new in 2003.
Sometimes it’s a great way to keep things simple, as the restrictions and limitations of the device make you think about how to proceed, sometimes resulting in a more meaningful result.
Enjoy and Share!
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“Art lives from constraints and dies from freedom.” ― Leonardo da Vinci. Inspiring video!
I love using old recording gear and music equipment
I swear dude from one musician to another you are absolutely amazing and inspiring.
That’s very kind of you to say!
I totally Agree !!
Very refreshing indeed! Simplicity sparks creativity. I wasted all night last night listening to plugin presets when I could have just been playing music. Technology is awesome, but I miss the days when I didn't have as many distractions. As a matter of fact, I just renovated a Tascam 414 mkII 4 track tape recorder for this exact reason. Liked and subscribed!
Nice one on the Tascam! Cheers for subbing...
Love your video, and 100% agree on using the old way. I've tried to use the latest recording technologies, even wasting my money buying all these new ones, but I just can't use them. I'm sure I could have learned How to use them but I just don't want to, simply because I want the simple and old school way. I've been looking for the Foxtex Mr16 but can't find it in Australia
That's the Fostex I'm looking for they have a lot of them for sale in America
Absolutely brilliant! Nothing like using a dedicated recorder; no crash issues, firmware upgrades, etc, as is the case with DAW's. And riding the gain.. that's pro. Cheers!
Anything that doesn't use windoze is an improvement. Simple is better.☺☺
Even with Linux i prefer to work without a PC. It's slow, it's hard, but i liked the point from 7:22 , when Dan mentioned full performance. It never will be perfect, but if always feel more natural, closer to live. DAW is giving me too many easy workarounds.
i fully agree this is why i like the new tascam model 12 in 2024
I think these are going to make a comeback , I believe this is the proper way to record music ! No over processed DAW crap . Once you’ve used all the tracks , you can mix it down , bounce it to one single track , which then frees up the other tracks for rec other instruments. 😉so a 8track could become a 16 or 24 if u wanted.
From one ‘auld skuul’ musician/recordist to another, thanks for demonstrating that there was nothing wrong with the older technology …& that inspiration, creativity & musical integrity trump pretty much everything.
P.S.
That POD sounds grrrrreat!
In 1999 my bandmates and I saved up the 200 odd quid for a Tascam porta-something, I think it was the cheapest 4 track you could get but still a genuine tape 4 track recorder. You cannot put a price on those experiences.
Wow, thanx for allowing us to look over your shoulder, great Demo 👍
Stumbled on your video today. Very cool!!! I'm working with a similar set up but I've got a Tascam DP-24. I'm older also and wouldn't like working with fake instruments and all those plugins. You play all your instruments well. Very talented!!
The Tascam DP-24 is a great unit. That is what I have, and I agree that it is a lot faster and simpler to use than a DAW. I also like using real outboard gear instead of plugins.
A lot of people with thousands of dollar equipment will never be able to make such good tracks. So here's proven again, it's about the music and talent NOT the tools. Great music !
Exactly. I see people making music but they don't even know how to play a instrument their just using computer programs. I would rather stay old school as per say and record everything using instruments not programs, eventually your going to have to know how to play instruments if you plan on being a musician...
i have fostex 16 trac and tascam 24 trac i like the stand alone gear that really puts you on the get the recording right first try other then removing or adding things in daw good stuff
I have that machine and also have the 16 track version for my humble studio and both machines are fun to use as I don’t have computer based recording in my studio, and the 16 track records 8 tracks at one making it ideal for a live band, great video
No dislikes is a good sign.
Greetings from Bogotá, Colombia.
I have fostex hard disk machine with 8 tracks and 4 of them are assigned to a percussion. It's super fun to use. Half of my gear is cables.
I just learned to keep the volumes up while you perform on the next track. Thanks,cool trick.
It works fine ! As a go around to the issue of limited mic preamp, I used a little Mackie Mixer (1642) to do a pre-mix of 4 drum mics into a stereo track. That way, the 2 preamp mic of my old UA-5 wasn't such a limitation. Thank for sharing and cheers from Canada.
Again ... a stunning piece of excellence from you!
You know how to teach. I like that. It makes the video watchable just as entertainment because you know you'll learn something cool from it anyway.
In my case, it brings back 4-track memories ... the planning ahead and committing to specific panoramic placements up-front. I got a Zoom R-16 - not a perfect piece of kit, but really good for the price I paid. And it took me over a year to expand my recording sessions beyond 8-track. Even that got me feeling agoraphobic almost. Weird.
But yeh ... this whole thing of committing first and recording per that commitment ... that is where you have to get creative, because it won't work otherwise. Necessity is, indeed, the mother of invention.
After reviewing new gear I decided to restore my BR1600. It was a painfull process as Roland made it realy difficult. All up from my first call to my last was around 5 months. It took 3 days of calls just to place an order for one part. It felt like they were trying to make me angry so they could hang up. It was infuriating. Being retired ment I had all day everyday to keep calling. So I kept my cool.
If I had a job I would have lost it with Roland a yelled at the bstd.
I had to buy a second hard drive as the first was faulty. The second was too. But I found a way to make it work.
It was HELL, but I'm glad I endured Rolands bulsht to keep using what I know.
Oh yeah, and that was some funky stuff jack 💪🏾
Very much enjoyed this. Getting my Fostex DMT-8 ready to do the same thing.
Superb sir!! I really enjoyed this video and your playing and recording skills. I am old school and use similar gear. I put the tracks in the DAW to mix, master but do all my recording on analog. subscribed
Watching you makes it look easy, as easy as it is with this recorder. much better than a DAW in my humble opinion. From the thumpnail i thought this could be good, but i wasnt aware how good. Awesome performance, awesome playing, awesome tune with only 6 tracks!
Thanks Marcus!
Great,.... you do great,....and Tascam isn't dumb,....many of us are still in the market for New digital recorders also,...
Fantastic upload 👌 I remember renting a 4-Track unit for 3 days in 1990. Made a 4 song demo. I was in heaven. . . . Tascam's latest beast combines the best of both worlds IMHO, allowing 22 recording tracks simultaneously. Plus a DAW interface mode as well with long faders and Comp on each strip with Sweepable Mids on eacb strip as well, and 7 band Master EQ plus 3 Inserts. Insane.... All in one box. My DP-24 & DP-32 synced in midi don't even match that, as they only allow 8 INs each ( total of 16 ): Tascam Model 24 .... Dream come true for guys like us.
I had a black Fostex exactly like that.... My 3rd ever recording machine !
Brilliant, I'm just missing your talent
No harm in trying.. inspirational Dan . You know for those of us who suffer from red light fever.
Antiquated nostalgic and convoluted
@ricky elvis actually a dawless setup can be conducive to a much better work flow. It has been for me, at least. Going dawless means no latency issues, no distractions, dm’s, notifications, text messages to sideline you from realizing your creations. Less can be ‘more.’ Studies have shown that oftentimes having too many choices can increase anxiety, increase stress levels, and can produce sensory overload. One can also get so caught up with tweaking minutiae that you can easily miss the forest from the trees. I went dawless several years ago and couldn’t be happier. It’s initially a slower but more meditative process…but even so, my songs still end up being finished more quickly than with using a DAW. Now I’m putting out greater quality as well as quantity. Im using LESS “much better,” instead of using MORE merely satisfactorily. Not to mention, songs actually get finished instead of me hunting for that perfect plugin sound. John Lennon once smartly advised George Harrison: “once you start to write a song, try to finish it straight away,” because if you let too much time pass you can lose the thrust of the original inspiration and the song will less likely come to completion. Same with recording, I believe. But you may be much better disciplined than I am and maybe are not overwhelmed by too many choices? Another side issue is also dealing with computer hardware…and upgrade after endless upgrade… and then hunting for more RAM for your computer and then needing to get a new one…and then shelling out more money to the ‘Cloud’ people to store it for you and then the stress of making your extra storage monthly payments….who wants all that headache? I admit that I still use GB as an initial sketch pad because it is so cleverly constructed and works well as an initial Idea platform. I can then flesh it out from GB to either my Boss br-600 or using my Akai DSP24. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it works better for me. Just my two cents.
@@azarlane9553 🎯 Your two cents is quite insightful.
It could use a little paragraph spacing though…
@@crnkmnky I was attempting the Kerouac “scroll” approach.
Love watching your videos mate, good work
You’re a master and great inspiration! Thanks!
Stumbled in, amazing. Great job, loved it.
Bravo!! Very Nicely Done Sir!!
too funky, j'adore.
nice one!
Brilliant demo and you make your point well.
Love your voice! Reminds me of something, but cant put my finger on it.
That was a really amazing demo. It shows how simple (but great) things can be in times of daws and plugins. Thanks!
You have the talent!
welllllll iv been on the fence about this but you sealed sealed the deal the part about working a little harded ,, to keep u timing thats realy what it comes down to and ... im not a computer wizzzzz iv installed and un in stalled garage band abelton for the last time .... i had the old tascam tap recorder it was a bit antiquated but it worked thank you
Awsome bro
This is Fire bro
This dude is a genius!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥✌🏽
Old memories here for me! Tascam 4 Track, Boss 8 Track, Roland VS2000 before finally switching over to Logic Pro9
Nice old school man. I also made it like this many years ago. It is honest.
Been thinking of going analog in 2024 and think I just might
Same. I just got a Fostex SCSI 4track
Subscribed after 5 seconds of watching. This is going to be indispensable for so many of us over the next half century. Perfect blend of demo & expository, informational content.
Thank you!
Amazing man thank you for the inspiration....I love your feel playing (everything haha) as well as the thought inspiring ideas about different ways of putting down a track. I'm just thinking about trying to get my first EP together, want to do it all myself I think, and am hovering between going more DAW or a digital recorder of some kind. I still have to decide lots of things but this was great to watch, thanks again!
Awesome vid...I have a tascam model24, I mix and eq on the unit...zero computer use, and I love it... the only thing I use the usb hook up for is for dragging and dropping to the computer. easy
Now that's a real Blast from the Past !!!
Your playing is very nice!
Thanks a lot!
Great video great performance. If you know what you doing these old recorder do the job
Really good demo, thank you! These standalone digital units passed me by at the time -- like many amateur musicians, I went straight from a 4-track cassette recorder to a PC-based setup.
I like the simplicity of these units, though. Given they're not particularly sought-after (like the classic tape-based machines) they're not that expensive on the second-hand market either from what I can see. Might be worth a try :)
Some are quite advanced and go up to 16 tracks or more, with midi capability for syncing and usb to allow you to send to your daw for final editing, I have Korg D12 coming my way that I paid only $75 for!
I bought a second hand Boss Micro BR a while back. Although so far I have only used it to track vocals during field recording sessions, with the tracks then being exported out into Cubase for editing and mixing. One of these days I'll do a whole song on it. Or possibly *import* stems and compleat a mix on it.
However, out in the field it's far less hassle than setting up a laptop and audio interface. A lot smaller too, the Micro BR is tiny, about the size of an old Alesis ADAT wired remote control. And in many ways, is just like using that remote control - except in this case it's the whole recorder!
bravo
Very interesting. I've been struggling to make a DAW work for me, and am about to pull the trigger on a Zoom L-12. You're making me think I should pull out my old Roland VS-840GX! 😂 If only it had a convenient way to output digital files...
Thanks for this. This is exactly why Im currently looking for a simple used multitrack recorder and ditching the DAW. Look how quickly you created all that....with a Daw you are messing around with too much and also having to LEARN the software instead of just plugging in and making music. Im leaning toward a used Zoom R16 at the moment.
you should have virtual tracks on that machine making it 16 channels. I had the VF160. Also it should have a built in compressor. Download the manual. Also yours needs caps. Mine was quiet as can be. I bought it new in high school. Best sounding converters in that Era were Fostex over Tascam and Alesis. Those were great machines. The onboard effects were also great and during mix down you could use the jog wheel to turn up effects or change octave or pitch. I wish they had those effects built into a rack.
Yes the PSU does sound tired! Virtual tracks is fine but obviously you can only play back 8 tracks at once..
I have a Roland Vs 2480. I absolutely love it. Iv had it since 2003. Hundreds hours of Recording. Many many recordings. Its beginning to have issues now. (Motherboard Caps going Bad) I may get. Tascam DP 32 SD. Or I may found Another Roland, Korg,Yamaha or Akai all in one unit. Just cant get into Software/ DAW type recorders. Guess im old Skool. Anywho. Good video sir☺
I understand those who don’t want to go the DAW route. I was one of those people, but I had to get stuff as I did a lot of remote recording, where files had to sent off in correct formats, etc...
I sold my Boss 16 track because I thought a Daw would be the answer but I was wrong because there is always a problem with windows or the daw. I spend all my time learning the daw and not recording, thanks
There is something to be said for using your ears and less your eyes (looking at a monitor) in recoding a song.
Man, your voice is quite good, to me.
Thank you!
sounds like Voodoo Woman for Creme Bruelee
I have a Tascam DP-24 and you have to use it in this same manner. I like it but I’ve decided to stick with my DAW. You can still apply the same principles if you choose to. Just because there are seemingly no limits to a DAW doesn’t mean it has to be used that way.
Yes completely agree...!
@@DanBakerMusic Funny thing is after watching this video I started back using my Tascam and it’s so enjoyable! I’m sort of using a hybrid approach now!
But of course you are right
Hi,
I am looking for the latest firmware v2 for the Fostex D80/D160 do you have version 2.13 or later ? When yes I really would like to get the eprom content of the two eproms
Hi there-my firmware is the one it came with in 1998, so without looking, I would wager that it is the oldest possible version!
@@DanBakerMusic Can you open it and remove rhe top cover the version is print on the eproms on the front side
i went back t0 the 0ld way after 20 years being 0n daw why the 0ld way is faster and y get the work done. with daw i g0t sick 0f missing with fx t0 make it sound good then fight buffer as i record no thank you.
Something I've never understood is. How the drums are traditionally recorded first. Yet how can the drums then react to the music. Incredibly your drum part sounds like it was reacting or live. How the hell do you do that.
Usually I put drums on last, having used a drum loop to play everything else to, but if I do put them on first, I’ll invariably do them again at the end, exactly for the reason you stated...
@@DanBakerMusic thanks Dan. Only just saw your reply. That's useful information. Rock on bro.
Thanks, that was interesting. As your recording went along, my impression of the song changed very much.
Drums: Nice groove, I¨m curious what this will be. 4/5
Bass: Competent, but a bit boring. 3/5
Rhythm guitar: In the same vein as the bass, I'm not excited, but it sounds ok. 3/5
Lead guitar: Wow, great sound and cool playing. Suddenly it all sounds great. 5/5
Vocals: Oh, that's a horrible slick melody. Suddenly it all sounds bad.. 2/5
Just my opinion and others may love the finished song. Anyway a great inspiration for creating music.
people should just record with their phone mic and a daw because people only listen to music on their phone now
They think music is worthless and musicians should not be paid music should be free. And when they do go to a concert they film it on their phone whilst missing the whole experience then upload it and get a copyright strike 🤣
Yep! 😂