What should I buy instead of a cassette recorder?

[steve(thelil)]

I've been blowing some smoke out my butt about wanting to do voiceover work or something similar, and a friend of mine with some experience and connections in the field told me to "make a tape". He implied he'd help me with it once he heard something.

My stereo system cassette recorder (old) doesn't even have mic inputs. I guess I could plug my Shure mic into my guitar/voice amp and run a wire from the amp's (big single) output jack (with an adapter) into the cassette deck's 2 line in inputs.

I don't know if this will do it. If the sound will be clearly inferior to today's digital world expectations, I was thinking of buying something new to use that makes digital recordings (if not too expensive), but the combination mp3 players/recorders I've seen refer to the recorder part as a "voice recorder" and probably have shitty built in mics.

Is there some product type out there I should be buying that I don't even know exists?

[jazzy mary]

Steve (tl) you should talk to James Lee, who posts here sometimes, he does voiceovers for a living!

Why not just record it straight to your computer and burn it on a cd?

Or does it HAVE to be a tape?

[rockefeller center]

If you have a sound card you may want to record to your hard disk using the multi-track audio software Adobe Audition™ (aka Cool Edit Pro) for example. A demo version should be sufficient to make a demo tape/CD-R (download can be found in the "Dowloads/Tryout" section via the link below).

http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/overview.html

Yep. And Cool Edit Pro is an awesome and very user friendly program.

[Jazzooo]

No one wants a tape--I promise you. Even if they say "Send me your tape," they don't mean it. They will be expecting your CD in the mail. (They will also probably not listen to it, but that's another story!)

The simplest route, Steve, is to buy a small standalone multi-track recorder--look into the least expensive Boss recorders at a Guitar Center or Sam Ash store. YOu'll end up with an 8 track, which might seem like opverkill--but it won't be as you get into it a little more. If you get good at this stuff, you can put together complete demos with music on two tracks, sound effects on others, and of course, voice. You'll also need a mic--I strongly recommend the Studio Projects C1. And a popper-stopper!

Email me directly if you want more guidance.

I record to a Sony Mini (Net MD) device. It has a USB port for high speed transfers, which would make it useful in conjunction with your PC.

[steve(thelil)]

Originally Posted by rockefeller center

If you have a sound card you may want to record to your hard disk using the multi-track audio software Adobe Audition™ (aka Cool Edit Pro) for example. A demo version should be sufficient to make a demo tape/CD-R (download can be found in the "Dowloads/Tryout" section via the link below).

http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/overview.html

I once spent $1000 on a Fostex multi-track cassette deck and never learned to use it well, so I'm gun shy. (It's barely used if someone wants to make a reasonable offer*)

I may end up getting a multitrack system again, but for now I think i want to go the software on the PC route. I'm just doing this to give something to my friend. He may help me do the disc I will actually use to sell my tremendous talent.

Will I be able to find hardware that will let me use my Shure Mic (Sm58) with my PC?



*This high quality multi-tracker has very low hiss level thanks to Dolby C. It records at twice the normal speed onto CRO2 tape for higher fidelity. A nice tape deck to bounce off your digital recordings. Easy to use. Natural compression sounds great and is something you'll never find in digital units. Has 4 tracks and 8 channels with mic that can be recorded to at the same time or individually. Tracks can be bounced to make more room as needed. With two auxillary sends and returns for added effects. Has mutes for everything, full eq for each strip, and uv meters for all the tracks and master output. It has a digital counter and auto locates as well. Other features include auto punching in and out, pitch control, two headphone outputs, direct line outs, and stereo output for easy mixing down. The sweepable mid allows you to dial in just the right frequency to give you the tone you're looking for. All of the knobs are in place and it works great. Sorry, I have no extra cords. This unit originally sold for $1000.00 (retail price).

[steve(thelil)]

I'm not using my Fostex because I fear using the thing. Going back to the instructions would bring back so much pain.

[graypencil]

What Doug said ( contact him for specifics )

everything these days is digital and distributed on CD or sent over the web in a compressed form ( mp3 etc )

I think the softwear recording route via computer is the best chioce in your situation ..

BWTFDIK ???

[steve(thelil)]

Originally Posted by graypencil

What Doug said ( contact him for specifics )

everything these days is digital and distributed on CD or sent over the web in a compressed form ( mp3 etc )

I think the softwear recording route via computer is the best chioce in your situation ..

BWTFDIK ???

Anyone who uses the acronym BWTFDIK is wise, indeed.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Originally Posted by steve(thelil)

the acronym BWTFDIK

It's an acronym? No wonder I've been having so much trouble trying to pronounce it!

[steve(thelil)]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

It's an acronym? No wonder I've been having so much trouble trying to pronounce it!

Its pronounced Bwitfidick

[rockefeller center]

Originally Posted by steve(thelil)

I once spent $1000 on a Fostex multi-track cassette deck and never learned to use it well, so I'm gun shy. (It's barely used if someone wants to make a reasonable offer*)

How much do you want (incl. surface mail to Europe)?

[rockefeller center]

Originally Posted by steve(thelil)

Will I be able to find hardware that will let me use my Shure Mic (Sm58) with my PC?

I'll include this in my prayers.

[frankiepop]

be advised, rock..ter, this $ u send thelil will likely provide u with an excellent cassette deck, but that $ will end up in the g-string of a new jersey stripper.

[rockefeller center]

Originally Posted by frankiepop

be advised, rock..ter, this $ u send thelil will likely provide u with an excellent cassette deck, but that $ will end up in the g-string of a new jersey stripper.

That would be ok with me.

[Jazzooo]

Steve,

Cooler voices inside my head have prevailed. Don't risk ending up with yet another piece of electronic gear you never use--I'd just walk into a semi-pro recording studio with $50 or $75 in your pocket, record some samples of yourself imitating someone who does this for a living, and walk out with a short demo CD. If you start to get work and need your own setup, go for it.