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I have a small 4 track mixer/cassette recorder. My wife pens some tunes, sings and plays guitar and records it. I lay down a drum track later on. I'd like to add something to sweeten up the vocals but can't afford to spend too much. What can you recommend for under $250?
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Lexicon have some budget series out now. Ofcourse you can use the Alesis gear but some people say they have some sharp sounding reverbs. It's what you like.
Perhaps a used reverb unit (Roland/Yamaha) also will do.Robert -
I'm checking out a Lexicon MPX-100 which is under $200. thanks......Originally posted by puttenvr:
Lexicon have some budget series out now.
Perhaps a used reverb unit (Roland/Yamaha) also will do.
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I have been using the Alesis Microverb IV and have been real satisfied with that. I can't remember the cost, but it was not real expensive.
RobComment
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Some of the newer Behringer stuff might be worth looking into. You can get some of their multi-effects processors for around $150.00 new. I own several pieces of Behringer gear and I'm quite happy with them, although I would take their references to anything being "electronically balanced" with a grain of salt......By the way, has anyone tried the TC Electronic M-One? I'm about to put my DigiTech Studio Quad V2 out to pasture and wondered if it would be a good replacement......TD-30 / SPD-SX /Alesis Strike MultipadComment
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IMHO, the Lexicon is by far the best bet in that price range.
I got the TC Electronics M-ONE, which I am very happy with, but that is $450.
The V-Drums sound much better with a nice effects box instead of the inbuilt effects. (except for the damn AM radio station that comes out of my TD-8
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HTH
[This message has been edited by porieux (edited February 02, 2001).]Comment
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by porieux:
I got the TC Electronics M-ONE, which I am very happy with, but that is $450.
Is it true that the mix function on the M-One is global and not available on a per patch basis? If so, has that been a problem for you? Secondly, I noticed that it wasn't XLR I/O. Noisy effects units drive me bananas, and I was hoping this isn't one of them. It's nice to see that TC has finally found our solar system with respect to their prices.....TD-30 / SPD-SX /Alesis Strike MultipadComment
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For vocals, first start by getting a decent compressor/limiter. Reverbs will tend to mask or muddy a vocal. A compressor can do wonders for vocals. Compressors on their own can improve the sound of most instruments (especially drums) and can make things sound much tighter than resorting to reverb.
There are also some affordable digital compressors that also help with the mastering stage.Comment
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Check your local paper and ebay and buy a pre-owned Alesis Quadraverb for around $100. It sounds great, has a ton of different sounds, and is easy to use.
Then take the money you would have wasted on a more expensive reverb unit and get a decent compressor! The most obvious problems with 4-track home recordings come from poor signal-to-noise ratios! Compression will definitely help that problem! The ART Levelar is a good start for around $100.
By buying the used Quadraverb and the new Levelar, you will make 2 dramatic improvements in your recording. Plus you still have 50 bucks left over to take your wife out to dinner!Comment
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Harlock> The Lexicon's simply sound better than the Zoom.
Difference between the MPX 200 and 100 are not sound quality, but the 200 gives you more editing options and you can choose yourself which two effects you will use at the same time.
I've also read that the TC M-One has been lowered in price. Check out that one as well, because that one is even more interesting I think.
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http://mpcman.flappie.nlMusic was my first love...Comment
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Here is a site with a bunch of useful links on the various Quadraverb units: http://www.neato.org/qv/Originally posted by Harlock:
Took a look at ebay france, and there's a Quadraverb going at $115 first bid... But I don't know anything about this product...
In about the same league as a MPX500 it would seem, although I haven't heard one still. They sent me a pretty brochure though, and the specs are good.Originally posted by Harlock:
The tc.electronic M-One is still around $500 in these parts. About the same as a MPX500.
There are something like 240 presets, and what Lexicon considers to be the more important parameters on each can be adjusted by knob. You can adjust and save your 16 favorites in the 16 user storage slots. The Lexicon site describes each of the units a bit on their professional products page: http://www.lexicon.com/Products/Originally posted by Harlock:
...Is it preprogrammed on the MPX100? If so, do the choices correspond to 90% of what you would use anyways?
BTW, the 100 is 20 bit, the 200 is 24 bit, I believe, whether you can hear the difference is another matter.
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I picked one up in Feb for the wife's vocal work. For it's price range, it's a pretty decent piece of equipment. She uses it all the time so I don't think I've fooled with it on the V's more that a few hours. Really can't make a judgement there one way or the other. My guess is it will be an improvement. It didn't seem too user friendly to me, (I'm spoiled with digital readouts) but once you save your customized settings, you should be fine.
Last week I picked up the Tascam 788 8 track hard disk recorder and it's CD burner. I have a lot to learn on it but I did run the V's through it over the weekend. I turned off the V effects and ran through the 788's onboard goodies. Wow! It made a HUGE difference (and I don't know diddly squat on how to use this thing). I probably won't get into using it until after the holidays. I'm working 12 hr days and weekends until then. I get the last week of the year off, so I'll chain myself to the V's and let 'er rip. Can't wait.Comment
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