My Recording Rig (and why I don't use a DAW)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มี.ค. 2021
- If there are 7 people following my music (a generous estimate), then maybe 1 person is wondering: "What is he using to record these weekly posts?" This video is for that person.
For more (and maybe better) reasons for using a DAWless setup, check out this video: • DAWLESS SETUP: 5 Reaso...
His whole channel (424 Recording) is an argument in favor of using a DAWless setup.
Find my music at:
/ jordanseal
jordanseal.bandcamp.com/
I can’t remember the last time that ten minutes of internet time has resonated with me more. Probably never. I’m 63, I started with a cheap cassette recorder from Woolworths, ‘advanced’ to a Tascam 4 track, and continued on until I had every magic trick in a box you could conceive. Only now have I realised that all of this stuff was like a politician’s promise; and I have never been happier since I returned to my roots with my little dp004 and heard what I wanted to hear - or not - in which case I turn off and start again. I like a bit of reverb, but that’s it! Thanks for your videos. All the best.
David, Cornwall, U.K.
Thank you David! I really appreciate your comment: it's very gratifying to know that you relate to my experience. And if you have posted/released any of your recordings, send them to me: I'd love to listen!
I am with you brother!
I totally agree with you 💯. This is the reason why I have used a Zoom R24 for all of my albums I have recorded and never had an issue with it. I started out with cassette based Tascam recorders for years with excellent results. Great minds think alike. Thank you for posting this.
Right on! Thank you for sharing, and glad you've had good luck with the Zoom.
Yea! I created so much tracks with Zoom R8.
I will trade my DP - 006 for any 4 track tape recorder. And throw in a crazy ex old lady. No returns on the ex😅
Me too
My first recording device was a used $2 karaoke machine about 35 years ago. It was a 2 track recorder. Spent two years recording on that. Then bought a tascam. And today I use my zoom r8. I agree with you 100%
Totally get where you're coming from here...I use a Tascam DP-32SD for all my drum recordings...or any recording for that matter...I used to spend ages waiting for the PC to load, then another age for the DAW to load...then resolve any issues that inevitably popped up...it sucked out all the enthusiasm before id even got going. Now I switch on the Tascam and its all set ready to record before I've even made coffee..love the stress-free workflow now man..
Same. It's all about the workflow, and mine is so much better using the Tascam.
I've started using actual synthesizers and drum machines. I think I will buy a tascam as well eventually. In my opinion sitting at a computer programming the sounds in feels lifeless. Actually playing real life synths bringing the song to life brings me so much creativity and joy. I'm glad you made a video on this
Thanks for your comment! I relate to the joy/fun of touching physical buttons and twisting physical knobs: I find it much more satisfying than dragging digital controls with a mouse, or on a touchscreen.
Your story totally resonates with me. Thanks for this
I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!
You produce??
I've been a Tascam Porta Studio user since the mid 80s. I now have the DP-24 and don't even like that learning curve but it's getting better and the workflow is getting quicker.
A local buddy of mine uses a DAW. He likes to drink beer while he records. He told me by the time his computer boots up, updates, then he finally gets all his settings tweaked, he's already too buzzed to record!!!! 😂😂😂
Glad to find your video! I’m getting one ASAP! I’m always trying to record my ideas and video and DAWs are to complicated and expensive! Thanks for sharing! The recordings on your Sound Cloud sound amazing! 🤟
Thank you! I remain really happy with that device, and I hope you will be too. When you use it to make something, send it to me: I’d love to hear!
I have been recording with a fostex 16 track for almost 17yrs now and I am the same way I push the record button and play if I like how it recorded I keep it if not I do it over. I never cut and splice and piece together a song although my recorder can do that. I always play the song all the way through when I record. so it is nice to see other's that find this way of recording still having value as this will be the way I always record.
Very cool! I'm not familiar with the Fostex brand, but from a quick Googling, they seem to have some nice multitracks available. (And at better used prices than Tascams.) You've liked yours?
I prefer to record parts from start to finish, and nothing sounds better to me than a good live take, even with little tempo variations and immaterial mistakes. But to save time (which is precious, these days, when recording competes with work and parenthood), I will do re-takes of small sections if my performance slips. When I do, I usually record from the punch-in point until the end of the song, to get as much of the unity-of-performance as I can.
@@JordanSeal I do the same thing I usually record all my parts from start to finish as well as a good live take is the best way I think to record even if you make a little mistake here and there that is one of the things that give music a great flow which it is suppose to have. Every now and then I will do a punch in if the mistake I made really needs to be fixed but a lot of times I will just do a whole new retake from start to finish. It is nice to see other's that appreciate and take this same approach to recording as I think using a multi track recorder is the best way to do your recording in my opinion.
My style exactly!
@@daviator4720 thanks for the comment and watching the video.
You hit the nail on the head sir. I am 44, and when I was 15 I got my first Tascam Portastudio 4-track and it changed my life. In the almost 30 years since, I have used DAWs the same way I did that entry level cassette recorder. I miss that feeling, which is why I am looking to get a D-006, and that is also how I came across your video. I'm sold now.
Wow!! Thank you!!! That made soo much since to me. I lost my enthusiasm in music and I have been getting some music equipment to get back to music again. And I'm not a super professional or nothing I just always love music. Thank you, for your words. I thought I was the only one who felt like getting back to the way I use to be early on. Thanks again!!
So glad you found the video! You're not alone, I promise, and I hope you can get back into making music. Thanks for commenting!
Loved this video. You seem awesome. Wishing you the best with your channel and YT career 🙏🏽
This comment has made my day! Thanks for watching!
Man, you got me in tears..I just did the same thing I bought a tascam 24sd multitrack portastudio, I got tired of the DAW it's becoming more like work, so I got the tascam and now I feel like a big kid...JUST HAVING FUN recording and loving it.
I'm glad you found this video (or maybe it found you, idk how TH-cam works), and I know the feeling!! That's exactly how I felt when I pulled away from the DAW. It's like the fun-to-work ratio shifted toward fun.
Enjoy that 24-track: those things look amazing!
Man! I took a 10 year break from making music and recently dove back into it. I'm a 90's hip hop head and decided to ditch the daw. I produce my shitty beats on an Sp404 mk2 and about to cop a DP-03SD for recording vocals. Great video, much love!
Yes! Glad to hear that you're back into it, and that sounds like an awesome setup. The DP-03SD should be a great addition: you can get a lot out of 8 tracks. Good luck, and thanks for your comment!
yeah man, I've the sp404 II, and looking for something to just plug guitar/keys/mic and write little shitty songs everyday, and try and get them out to buddies. Actually, one issue is, i want to also record jams on the sp, but not really sure the best solution for that - obviously trying to stay out of daw.
404 mk2 with a little mixer on the line in is the move. Couldn’t agree more
I just got a DP-03SD and it's all I need.
This is almost exactly what happened to me. It took me 50 yrs. to figure out sometimes less is more. I could have saved thousands of dollars if I just had one of these the whole time. Now I want one. Great vid!
Thanks for watching! And better late than never!
Twenty years ago, I had a lot of fun with just my midisequencer inside my Roland XP60. Composing various lines, including drums and bass. Recording it first onto my CD-recorder. Then I had a VS840, which was more fun because of the various FX I could add and of course my voice. Then I got my first Powermac with Cubase and Propellerheads. At first it was fun… but gradually I lost it. Completely stopped recording… and thus composing…
A few years ago I bought a DP008EX. For a live recording of my daughter’s live performance.
And now I see where it went wrong. But more importantly: I have THE tool to get things right again. I still have a XP60. I have a Mininova. And a SR16. Should be enough to get me going again: I can’t wait!!
I relate completely to your experience. You start with a very simple recording unit, and from there, a little more power/control is thrilling. And you assume that equation -- more power/control = more fun -- will continue to hold. But it might not; it certainly didn't for me. Glad to hear that you have the tools to make things and to enjoy it again. Share what you make! I'd love to hear it!
Wow this amazing 🤯🤯 same experience I had the Roland xp50 and vs840 and the alesis sr16 🙌🏿🙌🏿 couldn’t tell me nothing then found cakewalk 🚀🚀🚀 I still have a vs1680 on deck 🫡🫡
Great Video! Really enjoyed listening to your story. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
I really liked your video and your approach to recording your music. When I was growing up in the late 60's I got my hands on a suitcase type reel to reel tape deck and I would use the funky mic that came with the unit and just "roll the tape" as they say and then listen back to what I had done. I would also record rehearsals of bands that my friends were in. I would show up and set up a single mic to record the whole group. I wasn't trying to make a demo of the band just recording their practice sessions so they could listen to the playback and work on parts of songs that needed more practice. So I like your approach to keeping things simple.
Thank you! One of my favorite things about this simple setup (that I didn't mention in the video) is that it makes me feel connected to the era of reel-to-reels, when most of my favorite music was made.
Do you still have some of those old reel-to-reel recordings? I love the sound of a single microphone trying to capture an entire band. It's not hi-fi, but it has a special life to it. I'm sure those old recordings would be incredible to revisit.
@@JordanSeal Unfortunately I no longer have the tapes or the tape deck. The tapes were of a band that a friend of mime played guitar in. He was a brilliant guitarist and singer and I would give anything to have them to listen to. He was only eighteen or so but played Hendrix and Clapton note for note. Wish I knew what happened to him. BTW if you look at old photos of the Beatles at the Cavern Club McCartney and Lennon are seen with various "suitcase" style tape decks.
@@squidkid2 That's too bad! I'm sure it would have been a powerful record of his playing. But that's the nature of live music: most of the time, it shakes the air and then disappears. That's the beauty of the live moment!
@@JordanSeal So true what you said about live music being here and gone. I grew up in a generation that didn't have computers or video recorders on their cell phones that they could carry around in their pockets so the tapes of the all the legendary bands I saw and heard only exist in my head.
You nailed it,man.Simple is best (and that goes for many things).
I'm glad you relate! I know people who THRIVE in a complex system... but I typically freeze or get lost. So simple is definitely best for me. Thanks for watching!
I needed to hear this from someone else. THANK YOU !!!!!!
Glad to be your guy! Thanks for watching!
same here,...Thanks
I had stepped away from music for a few years, so I was unaware of my choices - thought DAW was my only option. I'm so glad I discovered the dp-008ex recently! Picking one up soon. Thanks for your perspective.
Awesome! I hope you’re happy with it!
Man I am loving what you’re saying here! What you have described here is a carbon copy of my last few years! I came on here tonight looking for confirmation that I should go DAWless and I think I’ve now decided. Thanks for the great video.
You're not alone! If you've had a similar experience using DAWs, then I highly recommend it. Let me know how it goes!
couldn't agree more man. I call it the one click loop. I went down that road so many times. Restrictions breed creativity. My favorite way to record now is a simple zoom or tascam, usually one shot recording. I have found going back to the basics has helped me as a musician as well. No loops, no edits. Makes me focus on timing, and arranging and better lyric writing. The lure of new stuff is always there. For example, I would like to get an MPC, but already know that it will take me weeks to learn it, and those are weeks I could be focused on making music. I think if you look at the pros, working touring musicians, most had to make the choice at some point (do I want to be a musician/songwriter, or do I want to be an engineer. Very hard to do both effectively.)
We're on exactly the same page. If I have time to put into my music, I want to spend it writing or practicing: those are the areas where I'm going to see growth/progress, esp. based on my listening tastes. I appreciate the fact that DAWs give regular humans the ability to play producer, but I don't think everyone ~needs~ to play that role. I certainly don't want to. If that means I'm old fashioned or lo-fi, then so be it 😁
Awesome and refreshing perspective! How and when we became so terrified of playing a song from start to finish? Totally getting a tape recorder
Thanks, and good for you! Long live tape!
Same over here. I prefer DAWless production. I got the TASCAM DP-008 EX. Lots of fun and creative freedom, and I find it quicker as a workflow. On the other hand being in front of the computer with the DAW setup drains me. Each to their own. Great video🔥👍
Thanks for watching, and glad to hear that we're on the same wavelength! Agree completely re: workflow -- I've been doing some recording and have been really pleased at the speed/efficiency that I am able to achieve when I'm interacting with real buttons on a real object in the physical world. That's useful when I need to do my 27th take of a particular guitar solo...
Daw are injurious to health too.
Great video. I came from 4 tracks and I always created more content when limited. Using hardware synths and my MPC One has rejuvenated that joy. Having less options helps me as I’m easily distracted!
Thanks for watching! Very cool to hear that you're also more productive when you have some limitations. I don't use synths or sequencers in my music, but I would imagine that there's an even stronger pressure to use DAWs in that context.
@@JordanSeal There is yes, but the sheer wealth of options cause paralysis. Best firing up a filthy bass synth and a lead one, slap some drums on and party :)
@@MusicZeroOne "Best firing up a filthy bass synth and a lead one, slap some drums on and party :)"
That sounds like joy in its purest form!
plus the simpler the setup, the less to troubleshoot. And “easily distracted” meant I became obsessively fixated on the details of recording a song before the song was even written. Id be bored of it after spending all day on a 10 second clip layered to death. I figure there’s a place for DAW as it’s own art though. For me, (and clearly lots of other people) songwriting doesn’t need so many fine tuning capabilities. hell, I can’t even handle too many T-shirt choices. removing required decisions when possible is a way of life and I’m all about it!
Nice one mate! Incredible how technology has moved on isn't it? What would have cost a fortune in the 80's sound creation wise, you can now virtually get for free! Thanks for posting.
Thanks!! It’s truly amazing, and makes this a phenomenal time to be making music. Releasing it, on the other hand… 🙄
@@JordanSeal I'll bet! Defo an interesting time. I'm just getting back into music making at 56, now I feel I have something to say! I remember MIDI being a rumour, I blinked, and look where we are now!! Best of luck mate.
Very encouraging. I have written many songs myself but have recorded relatively few. I could be an idealist about it, but the truth is I have certain aversions, as it seems you do, and one of them is to deep menu diving and "virtual" interfaces. I've decided to do what you're describing and am presently putting together an order of equipment to facilitate it, all of which circumvent the DAW. More knobs, fewer screens! Lol
"More knobs, fewer screens!" ~ like the motto of a movement!
I think you'll be very happy with a DAWless device, and I'd love to know what you choose and what your impressions are. Thanks for watching!
Refreshing message . I like hands on recorder and keeping it simple also. There is unmatched beauty in simplicity. Sincere Thank You for this message,..something I needed to hear,....
I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for watching!!
Nice story. Well done. Keep it. :)
Yeah - it's becoming more evident that huge efforts and production methods just aren't what it takes to have a fan base and keep them happy. On the other hand the story telling element is becoming about 10X easier this year. Notice? I'll see where you go with this one.
I've had two or three goes using a laptop-based DAW over the last couple of years, and not really got very far with it. I've just bought a digital Portastudio and I'm romping ahead with it. I like knows and sliders that I can actually touch, and the features are enough for me as I'm essentially an acoustic player.
Knows=knobs!
I had exactly the same experience: I felt like I was on a roll as soon as I started using the digital portastudio. I'd rather make ~something~ with the limited features of a multitracker than make nothing with the unlimited features of a DAW.
Great video. Very inspiring. I'm back making music again - and presumed that DAW was the modern answer. But at the back of my mind I just knew that I should go 'old school'. You've convinced me . I'm going to buy a Tascam DP-006.
Thanks, and I’m glad it connected with you! I hope the Tascam treats you as well as it’s treated me!
Just came across this video and really made me think about the motivation and creative process, back when I didnt have any audio interface or daw, I had a loop pedal with an SD cart, I could just record a few things over each other and take the recording out if I liked it. Then garageband happened and I learned using daws, made everything way complex, wish I could go back to the simple creative time.
I hear that. I remember my first few days with a looper: I was immersed and loved every second of it. Some of the ideas were crappy, but some were good. And I was taking a chance every time I recorded another layer. That permanence is one of my favorite things about DAWless recording.
This was so earnest and refreshing. Thanks! I had a similar path. Started with a digital 8-track, had tons of fun with it, and was productive without really even trying to be. Then I had the DAW downfall. Now I mostly make beats on my Novation Circuit because it’s limitations allow me to experience focus and joy. Thinking of bringing my old 8-track into the picture again :)
I like nothing better than new love for old gear, so I am happy for your 8 track… and you, of course. Can you tell me a little bit more about the Novation? I have very limited experience with beatmaking but would love to do more of it.
@@JordanSeal Yeah for sure. It's one of the most affordable and user-friendly groove boxes out there. It has no screen, so there is no menu-diving and for me that makes it feel more intuitive and like there isn't a barrier in the way of my creativity. It has two synth parts, 4 drum parts (each of which can play multiple samples), macro knobs for shaping each track's sound, delay & reverb send effects, side chain compression, and a master filter. That ends up sounding kind of complicated, but it really is such a straightforward experience, very joyful to interact with.
@@JordanSeal I posted a video of my first recording with the 8-track (Including the Circuit)! Check it out if you want haha. th-cam.com/video/VxaWCgrYBtQ/w-d-xo.html
I had been using a DAW, and I too was using it in a naïve way. Well, my laptop broke down and I bought a Zoom R20. It has a touch screen so you can do some DAW-like work right on it. It has stepped up my recordings and most importantly, my willingness to record in a major way. It might not be for everyone, but for someone who likes to keep it simple, it has been great so far.
When I bought a DP-03SD earlier this year, I looked hard at the Zoom R20. It seems like a breakthrough for all-in-one DAWless recording, and my only reservation was that it might cause me to repeat the same anti-productive behaviors that I exhibit when I'm using a DAW.
Thank you, I forgot the R20 exists. I have so much fun with the R8 and Im looking for update to implement with Ipad.
As dimebag said the little imperfections is what makes a record perfect
I agree. No one wants to hear obvious mistakes. But sometimes, imperfections sync with each other to make something really special. A lot of times, those imperfections are a huge part of a band's "sound." Of what makes them memorable.
@@JordanSealthats exactly what i mean
I’m a 63 year old dilettante who has fumbled about with bits and pieces for 40 years. I’ve just bought a dr600 and a boss rc5 loopstation because I’ve come to this same conclusion. My plan is to generate rhythm stuff on Ipad garageband , export directly through audio out into either or both of these units , and just bounce/ loop/ layer stuff around, and return process tracks, vocals and guitar through guitar effect pedals back into these units. My mind is buzzing with ideas for the first time in years. Cubase totally defeated me, and was so inorganic that the process overwhelmed the creation. I know I’ll never create top shelf material, but it’s the fun I’m looking for. I love the idea of improv technology, and the physical engineering side has always been my first love, I figure I’ve got more available to me with these ‘simple’ modern tools than the Beatles had in their heyday. I envisage multiple loops , layers and return feeds into mono and stereo lines and tracks. I’m a happy geriatric😄
I love your idea and deeply relate to your experience. I know I'm not working on Future #1 Hits. But I want to make music, and I want that process to be immersive and fun... because those are the feelings/experiences that attracted me to recording in the first place. I wish you the best with the dr600 and loopstation!
Thank you for sharing this informative video. Personally, I began my music production journey using DAW software. However, I recently decided to explore the Tascam DP32SD hardware unit for a change and to experience its unique capabilities. Despite my curiosity, I have faced difficulties transitioning to the hardware unit due to the absence of certain plugins that I heavily rely on during the mixing process on my computer. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that by producing songs solely on the DP32, I will be able to achieve the desired level of audio quality I strive for.
Thanks for your comment, and good luck! I respond really well to the Tascam workflow (and not so well to a DAW workflow), but obviously, that’s just me. You should do whatever keeps the music flowing!
I'm 100% with you, started out on an old tascam four-track, went super deep into Sony acid music studio pro, hundreds of VSTs, couldn't be productive, worked great for producing rap for others, but I couldn't do what I wanted to do. Now I do everything on a tascam port 05 and a rack unit I put together, , stereo compressor, side chain EQ, quadrverb, lexicon, ect. It's all hardware. I can crank out a song in 5 minutes and I'm not spending hours with anxiety in a state of option paralysis. Great video, 👍.
Thanks for your comment! I definitely relate to your story and your point about speed. (Though it takes me slightly longer than 5 minutes haha.) I think that's a topic for another entire video: people rave about DAWs being efficient, but in 99% of cases, I get my desired sound much faster using hardware... even my budget-friendly hardware.
(Btw, I could use a better reverb... you like the quadraverb? Other recs?)
Edit: Whoa, TIL that some of my favorite reverb sounds are the quadraverb... that's going on my watch list.
dude I went thru the same thing going back to Tascam units and ambandoning DAW.Cool at first then I literally wanted to quit making music.too many tutorials and issues,subbed.
This is great, I started off with a 4-track Portastudio in the 90s, everything about it made sense, there was a clunky analog understanding. Just recently bought a DP008EX, bit more to get to grips with, but, totally understand your point, click and go, noodle at will! 👍
Yeah, there's something special about the way they designed (and laid out) those cassette portastudios... they just make sense, at least to me. But the digitals are fun too, and encourage what I want them to. Enjoy that 008EX!
I completely understand where you're coming from. As for myself, I grew up on Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page's "Guitar Army." Add in Rush's and YES' amazing instrumental work and Jeff Beck's great jazz fusion albums and - you get the picture. I'm the polar opposite of a singer/songwriter. I also had a 4-track in college, and found it very limiting - I had just the opposite problem, really: not _enough_ tracks, since my drum machine was stereo. I bought an 8-channel mixer to plug into two of the tracks at a time, but that meant I had to record a bunch of stuff at once. If I got 75% of the way through a recording and decided that a drum fill had to be different, well, too bad. Deal with it or start over from scratch. I was basically using a drum machine, a couple of MIDI keyboards and a sequencer to create a very low-fi version of a modern DAW. So I'm sure you can understand that DAW apps like PreSonus Studio One are precisely what I've wanted.
*EXCEPT!!*
_Your comment about the learning curve is SO completely spot-on. _*_Holy crap are there a lot of sub-menus and sub-sub-menus._* How long until I can click 'Record'? I've almost forgotten the idea I had that made me launch the app in the first place...
I've been looking at the 8-track version of your Tascam box. (That's how your video popped up in my suggested list.) I think you've convinced me to pull the trigger and get one. I can record six at once and bounce to stereo, freeing up six more tracks for overdubs. I can use Studio One as just a drum machine (for now), create the drum tracks and then just export (or play them into) the Tascam. And I'm pretty sure I can pull the audio tracks into Studio One for further mixing, if I want to play engineer/producer.
Thanks for a good video.
Thank you for this comment! I think it gets right to the real (slightly cheesy-sounding) truth of the matter: everyone's needs are different! Do what's right for you! And trust me, I can relate to your complaints about a 4-track system. As soon as you add one stereo sound, your track availability disappears. And you're definitely stuck with things once you record them: if you want to develop the song/arrangement as you're recording, that's a serious limitation.
Confession time: I'm also eyeing an 8-track version of the Tascam, just to allow a little bit more recording before I have to bounce tracks. If you get one, let me know what you think! (Or better yet, make a video about it!)
@@JordanSeal Eight is just better. If I do pick one up, I will let you know what I think about it. Still watching Studio One tutorials; I may find that I can create a good simple template that all I have to do is launch and rename and I'm ready to go.
We use a TASCAM DP03 for all our recording releases these days. Feels more hands on . Great video.
Always glad to meet another DP user! Were you DAWless before using the DP03, or were you using a DAW?
I recently bought a DP03 and I've liked it thus far: very intuitive to use, and I'm relieved to be working with the bigger sliders (as opposed to the little knobs on the DP006).
@@JordanSeal We didn't ever use a DAW ourselves but our experience working with a producer in a recording studio for our debut EP convinced us that our 'frayed at edges' indie sound didn't feel right all polished up and played around with after the fact. Sliders are great and playing the whole song right through feels more authentic. We love our DP03.
I like this guys style. Of course I subbed.
Thanks man! If there's some content you want to see, let me know: I can't promise quality, but I can try!
(PS, I saw that you have a fair amount of metal-related stuff on your channel. If you have any band recommendations for a classic rock fan that's slowly discovering metal, I'd be grateful for them!)
It's exactly how I feel I have that same tascam but the 8 track. I used to own a tascam tape 4track back in 89
Always glad to meet another Tascam user! I had a cassette 4-track a few years ago and -- regrettably -- sold it before I could do any real work with it. But I've enjoyed the digital version and would love to get an 8-track version. How do you like yours?
The thing is you can always transfer the tracks from the tascam onto your computer if you want to.
I've messed about with audacity a fair amount in the past and that can be quite good to work with, but it does get tiring staring at a screen doing that stuff. A tascam type studio is a lot more enjoyable to work with.
It is funny that we all have this power to OVER-produce our sounds now... I appreciate being able to use something like GarageBand to organize and add slight things to recordings or to easily export sharable files...but seems like I gravitate towards recording through a cheap mixer into a DP-008. I remember being really impressed at the idea of recording a virtually limitless number of tracks to a project...but I almost never use all eight tracks on the TASCAM thing for any given project. Anyway...this was an entertaining video :D
Haha glad to entertain :) I relate completely to what you've described: I dumped so many hours into GarageBand only to find that (i) I wasn't actually accomplishing that much and (ii) I didn't like what I was making. I get better results and feel so much better about the process with the DP-006. Though I'll be the first to admit, I often wish I had a couple more tracks before having to bounce... How do you like the DP-008? I've been thinking about making the upgrade to it or the DP-03sd.
Oh man, you hit close to home on this one. I can totally relate, and it sounds like we had a very similar experience.. almost to a T. I started out on a Tascam porta studio as a kid. Got sucked into a world of recording demos and experimental pieces and eventually started playing in bands in my teens. When we thought we had a few songs down we went into a professional recording studio in Virginia (which shall remain nameless) where we spent thousands of dollars on a few tracks we weren't totally satisfied with. Fast forward a bit and I ended up learning how to record with primitive DAWs on an old laptop in hopes of avoiding more studio time. 😅 I was able to record several albums that way and it was fun but you're right... it was a huge time suck in a lot of ways and I started to focus on editing more than getting better performances. Choosing to record with a DAW was mainly out of necessity but I think it comes with a lot of bad habits as well. After years of that I found myself bored and uninspired and felt like I was missing what I fell in love with to begin with. I eventually bought a Zoom H2 field recorder and a Tascam DP008 and started using those again and found myself actually wanting to make music again after a long break. I even found a second hand Zoom R24 that I'm learning on now and I can say I'm really happy with it so far. Yeah, not all of these multitrack recorders are super hi-fidelity, professional sounding machines, but it sure beats the stress of software and interface issues and getting lost in settings and parameters. It really has been great to get back to basics like you said. Not all of us have a degree in sound engineering and what's more important is that we enjoy what we're doing.. because if it's not fun anymore why do it? I appreciate your video, thanks for posting! All the best to you. 🤘
Oh yeah: very similar stories! I really relate to that realization, almost on a random day, that didn't enjoy recording anymore. "Bored and uninspired" puts it perfectly. And you're right that these devices involve a trade-off. I'm sure I could make something that sounded "better" with a DAW and interface... but I'd rather make something than nothing at all. That's where the fun is!
@JordanSeal Totally. I feel like a lot of the recordings made either in the studio or in a DAW lacked in comparison to the stuff I've done on the standalone devices. It kinda makes you a better player in a lot of ways. The limitations can actually work in your favor once you get into a rhythm. I think when people get caught up in the editing and minutia of it all, it takes away from the bigger picture. I had to learn the hard way that perfection is in the imperfections.
Great chat! Are you still using the Tascam? I love my DP008EX as an alternative to building a PC, but lately I notice it is degrading some of my recordings, especially from low-end inputs like bass and synth. Do you hear anything similar from your box?
I'm sorry to hear that! I am still using the Tascam and I haven't had that issue, but my recordings are usually pretty light on bass anyway. I'm planning to do some recording with my Behringer 808 knockoff, and if I observe issues with the low-end in that context, I'll let you know.
@@JordanSeal I appreciate that!
This message is Appreciated Brother!!!!!
I'm glad! Thank you for watching!
I own this but because I have a computer set-up at home (Mac), and because of this, I do not use it often. HOWEVER, i do recommend this Tascam if you don't want to be mobile. But also you can use it as a creative inspiration because there is an intimacy in recording cozyed up on on couch, or camping, or crosslegged on the carpet. It's a gem. You have to play around with it to get used to the knobs and the recording steps. But do not get frustrated. After a few days of getting used to the format and the small size you can truly become a part of it. Once you get used to using it as a creative too, it will inherently lend itself to mix-downs of your recordings. There are limitations. You cant just move clips and beats around. But for many this can be a much more inspiring creative way to make music outside of your home computer set-up. And you can always do a final mix on you laptop later, or whatever. I paid a lot for it when it came out a few years ago, but it's about half that price now in 2023. Happy music making! - Frank Montoya at _The Acoustic Rabbit Hole_
Great comment. Different tools can inspire in different ways, and a standalone multitracker (like the Tascam) may be the perfect tool for a particular person or situation. I find some parts of the process (like mixing) more intuitive on a multitracker, and some parts (like bouncing) make the process fundamentally different from what you experience in a DAW. You don't have to "go DAWless" to take advantage of (and be inspired by) those differences.
Thank you! back to basics is the way to go
I started with a 2 cassette deck karaoke machine. I would tape over the cassette holes to record over whatever came on them. Then I would layer tracks by swapping two different cassettes. The quality degradation was hilariously bad but that wasn’t the point. I just wanted to write music and this method allowed that. digital recording has been distracting to the point of hinderance! I’ve used voice memos on my phone to capture ideas and perfect areas before sharing with the other band mates. It’s been perfect for that. now days I want a more refined sound without using DAW and it’s been a struggle to find anything with just the right balance of high tech and low tech. you perfectly described my feelings about this! I’m probably gonna buy this now.
"Digital recording has been distracting to the point of hinderance." Couldn't have said it better myself :)
You might be really happy with the DP-006: I know I have been. Good luck!
Great video. I have a dp-008ex. It can be a bit disorienting to record this way if you are used to DAWs and their strict adherence to bars and beats but the stuff I make on the DP is a lot more fun when I give myself permission to play around and experiment like you mentioned in this video.
Thanks for watching! I think that's a fair point: if you're used to building music in the box, a DAWless setup could be a real challenge. But it could be fun to use in a performative way, almost like capturing a live set. (That may be what you're describing.)
@@JordanSeal yes exactly and you'll usually come up with new ideas that you might be reluctant to try on a formal DAW session locked into a specific grid.
Same! Recording using my 008ex is addictive and has made me a much better player.
Thank you so much for making this video and i thank each and every one of you for your comments! I see i have most certainly not been alone in my personal preference by just abandoning the endless DAW and like y'all go back to my roots. A very reacuring theme I've noticed is how we've all eventually lost that spark of passion in song writing and performing. DAWs can be enough to make one go completely nuts with which sound sounds better with the finest of tweaks to this and most precise adjustments to that. I eventually found myself literallying ping ponging back and forth between this DAW setting that DAW setting so much so i lost sight of the creative process and instead came to the conclusion just for O.C.D. DAWs were making me become!! Making music should Never be a stressful process it's in our lives for enjoyment. Not trying to out sound the last recording. I think going back to our roots is going to allow ourselves to rediscover many things that we had right from the very start! I NEED SIMPLICITY IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW!!!! And i have the very make and model of Tascam you've got in your video!! I wish everyone out there the best of luck with their newly rediscovered recording methods and just get back to the war things were with music. Just enjoy it!
heey man thank you so much for your motivational talk
i see my self realy in the same situation of being perfectional about my song that i make
it helped me playing more open minded and ejoying the music i play
THANK YOU!
Thank you for watching!
Wow! The comments clearly demonstrate the audience for DAWless. Amazing ! - good on ya.
Im on board. I havent done much in like forever, but half of the problem is thinking everything has to be tweaked through a DAW, part of the issue is as you say you just want to press record and record without having to worry about post production. Some of the early days there was hardly any of that nonesense and much of it is legendary. Mostly about mic positioning and studio ambience and the rest in performance. I've gotten into reaper as a DAW because it's close to that ( I also used Audition in it's early days, previously known as Cool Edit before Adobe bought it ) but I am also thinking of getting one of these litte Tascams.
I hear you. I've had exactly the same problem: if I have access to the DAW features, I can't help but tweak them. I'm compulsive about it. I wish I could control myself and just use a DAW in a simple way, ignoring the tweakable features, but I can't. (Well, I can, but I end up exhausting myself with the effort/willpower and putting aside the project.)
I keep hearing good things about Reaper, but I've never tried it. What do you think makes Reaper feel different than other DAWs?
@@JordanSeal Reaper rocks. It's cheap ($60 last time I looked) or free (permanent evaluation)
And reaper mania kenny gioa on youtube has the most amazing comprehensive tutorials, all short and sweet.
I will never use anything else on a pc.
@@TheCompleteGuitarist thanks for the info! I’ll check out that channel and put it on the “if I ever go back to a DAW” list.
You are so underrated. Instant sub.
Thanks! I'm doing my best 😅
PS- I also started with a 4 track portasudio in mid80’s, bought a Casio CZ 100 at the same time, brought them home, unboxed them, with no musical skills created a soundscape track with one of my poems within 2 hours that my mates thought was great. Such intuitive machines, so simple to use. I regretted selling that Tascam for years, and have bemoaned the lack of my ability to recreate the experience without expense beyond my reality. Hence the DAW attempts, and my subsequent surrender. I’d given up for a long time, then fell across a review on the dr600, which got me thinking again!
You should make new videos each time you shave. You are a good story teller buddy. I'm a guitarist and i just opened the way to using synths (I'm waiting my Korg monologue to arrive). I'm eager to take advice on how to incorporate these synth gear with my guitar and bass playing and play dawless for that reason.
That's a great idea! Hmm I do need a shave... I'd be very curious to learn to play synths, it seems like such a different world. But I can imagine it involves a certain amount of spontaneity, and one of my favorite things about working DAWless is that I'm much better at capturing spontaneous moments with that approach.
I totally relate. I have through the Daw to the other side and it drained all my creativity. I am considering a Tascam but a model or 2 up from that one. Great video
Right on! If you get a multitracker, I hope you enjoy it! FWIW, I've recently been using the DP-03sd, and like it very much.
I did enjoy it. Thanks for that. All I can say it - stick to a process that works for you. I record into DAW but that's recent. I produced three albums the old fashioned - in a bona fide studio with an engineer. However, I am tempted to get hold of your machine and try that.
"Stick to a process that works for you": that's really what it's all about. Find a process that works, and run that process until it becomes second nature. Then it can become background, and you can put your focus where you *really* want it!
Thank you so much for this. I totally agree with you!
Thanks for your comment! Glad to know we feel the same way!
Eheh, of course! I also wanted to show support!
1 million percent understand exactly what you’re saying. I feel exactly the same way. I keep getting rid of gear left and right. Like guitar modeling units. I spent more time trying to figure them out than using. I had them all. Got rid of them all for a Blackstar SilverLine Special combo amp. Went back and made myself a very small pedalboard with a looper, a chorus and a Boss OD1 overdrive. I use the delay and verb in the amp. I’m waiting on my Zoom R4 handheld recorder and ditching Logic and all the chaos, time and energy I needed to invest into using that. Going to sell my high end audio interface. The R4 is one and is great. Plug in a mic and my guitar into the R4 and record. Unplug one and plug in a drum machine. Unplug that plug in a cheap synth when needed. I’m done with all this “ high tech, “ razzamajazz too. And I’ll be 100 times more productive and most importantly, happy.
Whooooaaa first thing's first: I didn't know about the R4 until you left this comment. Seems like a really cool device: like a smaller version of my DP-006. Seems like a great option!
I love your story, and I especially love this comment: "I’ll be 100 times more productive and most importantly, happy." I think about recording in the same way. My two highest priorities are (1) to actually make recordings of my songs and (2) to enjoy the process. Further down the list, I get to things like "to make a 'great' recording." But too often, my pursuit of "great" undermined my higher priorities.
IMO, that's what DAWless recording is all about: choosing priorities that are too often undermined when recording with a DAW.
This is so inspiring, thanks!
Wow a fantastic video thank you for making it, feel the same about most of what you said!
Glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for watching!
I just bought a Porta 05 and a Zoom L8 for the same reason thnx subbed!
Nice! Are you planning to run into the L8 and then from there into the Porta, or build some more elaborate and magical setup? Always curious about how people assemble their DAWless rigs!
(And thanks for the sub!)
I'm just going to ask you this do you think you can also just hook up a external CD burner as well and burn a CD 😁
😂 but then I’d have to use a computer. Me no like computer. (… he typed using a computer…)
I have this little really cool recorder, the same one, and I love it!!! But recently I like using Garageband on an old E-Waste iMac, A giant iMac, heavy, free, off the local E-Waste dump pile - BUT i bought the AmpliTube ToneX and it plugged right into the old iMac, no driver to load, it is really fun.
I bought a new DAW about two years ago and still have not used it. It was intended to be a step up from an old DAW I'd been using for years, but once I got it all setup I just froze. The technology was so advanced from what I'd been used to that it just overwhelmed me to think of having to learn a whole new system. I just walked away from recording altogether. It's been so discouraging and depressing. When it comes to today's recording technology, I feel like a lost ball in high weeds. I miss the simplicity of the old days.
I know the feeling. There are compelling reasons for me to hunker down and master a modern recording platform... but I'm perfectly happy with the results I get from using old-fashioned tools and processes. Which isn't a surprise, since similar tools/processes were used to make the music that most inspires me.
I say: let's keep things as simple as we like them 😁
@@JordanSeal Agreed.
I always got uninspired while if front of a screen. I can relate. Sometimes the best tasting recipes are the simplest 👍🏼
I hear you on that. In a way, I have the opposite problem: I don't get uninspired so much as I get "inspired" by the wrong things, things that give me very little return for time I invest in them. Screens are distracting, and I'm also easily distracted. So there are a lot of problems :)
Thanks for watching!
Same here. I bought my first Tascam cassette 4 track in about ‘88/‘89. In fact I’ve still got it! But then the bands I was in eventually used studios where reel to reel was out and DAW was in. But engineers did all the magic there, we just played and sang our parts, and for whatever reason DAW just never chimed with me for my own (home) recording. Tried them all. From freebies like Audacity, to complimentary packages that came with gear (like Cakewalk and Cubase LE), to bought like Logic Pro for the iMac. Hated them all. I just don’t like them. I don’t know why. The only thing I can think of is it feels as though it’s taking away the “hands on” craft. I also get headaches staring at computer screens too long, so that became frustrating. With a hardware multitrack you have to use the sensory organs that really are key to making good music - the ears. You don’t rely on an algorithm or cheats like copy/paste/splice to pull a song together and using electronic wizardry to make it sound good. You build it by trial and error and by getting it, playing it, singing it right. I now use a little Boss BR80, for grabbing initial ideas, and sometimes layering on these, but then I use a Zoom R16 for recording proper. I recently bought a Zoom R20, because it seemed like a half way house between a hardware MTR and a DAW, and you know what? First impressions are, I don’t like it. Again, it’s taken away too much of the “hands on” I like and frustratingly over complicated what should be a joyful process. So I think I’ll be flogging it and sticking with the R16. Maybe expand to an R24 at some point for more tracks. Great video by the way.
Man, there's so much to unpack here: great comment. So I have focus two things you said.
First: thanks for your impression of the R20. Every few months, I wonder whether I should start saving to buy one. You're helping me continue to answer "no."
Second...
"But engineers did all the magic there, we just played and sang our parts..."
I didn't get into it in my video, but ^^ touches a topic that I think about often. Digital recording has helped widen the universe of creators, and that's great. I think almost every recording would be better if the musician focused only on writing and performance, while someone else focused on the rest of the process.
Of course, few of us can afford to hire a team to record: that's a huge barrier to entry, and I'm glad it can be avoided. But at the same time, I have reservations about the way that DAW culture encourages musicians to be proficient recording engineers, mixers, and mastering engineers. I'm sure that sells more plugins, and that it results in "cleaner" or "more professional" or even "better" sounding releases. But I don't think it results in better songs. Specialization still leads to expertise.
I'd be happier with a music culture that encouraged people to write and perform as well as they can, and then to do the bare minimum to get those songs out into the world. Which is why I consider myself a lofi musician and wish that aesthetic had more traction.
1986 i bought a TASCAM Porta Studio 1. I have been chasing better and better ways to record music all these years and had a similar "Light Bulb" moment recently as I was perusing a Sweetwater catalog at a 8 track TASCAM recorder... I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet... but I will. Thank you for sharing...
Thanks for your comment! Boy, if only you still had that old Tascam… but the digital options are great, I’d highly recommend. I recently upgraded to one of the 8 track versions and have really enjoyed it. Good luck!
I have Studio One by Presonus and I like it, but I can’t stand worrying about buffer sizes, dealing with trying to minimize latency, processing speed, RAM, updates, etc…I use a Tascam DP-24. It’s all I need.
I (envy your 24 tracks and) totally relate. I forgot to mention it in the video, but latency is something I found endlessly frustrating with DAW recording. Little latency issues can make an overdubbed one-man band sound so... off.
@@JordanSeal All facts. There’s nothing like pressing the record button and hearing exactly what’s coming into the microphone in real time. That alone is worth forgoing a DAW for me. Yes there are some limitations but I can work around those.
"Limitations are the mother of creativity"
Fucking love this bro. I went through the EXACT same thing. Got a pocket studio, loved it and it felt so natural and I was putting out songs. Thought I needed a better sound , went to Logic Pro X , turned into over analyzing everything and stopped writing and recording all together.
Pocket studio is where it’s at. Simplicity.
We're on exactly the same page. For the longest time, I thought my problem was ambition: that I was trying to record sounds that I just wasn't able to record. But that proved BS. The problem was DAW fatigue. And the proof was watching my mental hurdles and hangups dissolve as soon as I stopped using a DAW.
One word: KOALA
An app for android and iPad.
$5. An additional part for another $5, mixer/eq.
FUN STUFF!
Haha, WHICH pocket studio, please?
I absolutely HATED using DAWs. I grew up on tape. I'm just letting myself fall in love with digital recording - 16-track. Totally understand your approach: you have something to control with hardware.
Agree: hardware gives me a much stronger sense of control. I know that I can tweak infinite using a DAW, but those options don't make me feel powerful. They make me feel weak, obsessive, or both. Hardware limitations make me feel powerful and capable, and that's what I need to make my best music.
@@JordanSeal I trained in psychology. We dealt with this thing of free will along with the physicists: it doesn't exist. And this kinda proves this point. The absolute freedom afforded by a DAW is a massive behaviour trap. It forces behaving in a rather counterproductive way, if you're not careful. Hardware, otoh, constrains your behaviour in such a way as to force you to find creative solutions to problems, which is what engineering is. DAWs turn us into low-skilled technicians. This is bad. Because technicians should be highly skilled, too.
@@DavidAndrewsPEC "DAWs turn us into low-skilled technicians." What a great summation of how I felt using a DAW. Of course, I could have become a more skilled technician, but I'm not willing to devote my scarce resources (time, energy, money) to doing so.
Thank you
I'm glad this resonated with you!
So very true. I've been exactly here.
Great video and totally agree with you.... cheers.
Thanks! Cheers!
Yes I liked this .. I did get a Daw & because I live in a remote area very poor wifi etc & also because of my advancing years & declining eyesight .. I decided to go back to computer & computer free recording .. Inspired by lot's of folks I started down that long road of becoming my own sound engineer lol .. My wife was the 1st to point out that my ruf demo's on an old cassette player sounded better ,, in the search for unity gain I had forgotten to Perform the Song & so my perfect clean recordings had no Soul .. So now I am back to Basic's & the only drawback is that due to neighbours I have to live in headphones .. Keep at it Jordan I like your style .. from an old Muso in Ye olde backwoods of Englande ..
Thanks you for your comment! I relate very much to your experience go in somehow, over years of recording to DAWs, I forgot how to perform my own songs! Now that aspect is my main focus, rather than trying to capture a perfect sound.
If you have shared any of your music online, please send me a link: I would love to listen! And thank you for watching!
The thought of using a DAW is killing my enthusiasm for recording music. The one album I made with my old garage band was done on a single USB microphone plugged into Audacity. It turned out great. I might keep a DAW for live recording a band with multiple mics for minimal edits (like overall volume of instruments) afterwards and get something like a Tascam for recording at home. Somehow we have to avoid all of the knob twiddling and just make music. Indigo the raw sound anyways.
what i never understood about the music industry is that they look down on using techniques that are
semi pro , or different . i agree with you , and i also think that having a multitracker allows you to
smartly incorporate the use of a daw , but for minimalistic needs .
in theory, with the multitracker, you can input sounds from whatever you want ,
im even thinking of trying my android tablet , using minimal drum sequencers from that and
tracking it on the recorder.
Yeah, it's confusing. But I think the "major label" world has always had a strange relationship with DIY or independent musicians and labels. The majors look down on them... until they need them.
You should definitely try the sequencers into your multitracker! I done it with simple beats (also with a tablet app) and it worked great.
I have one of those little tascams. I prefer my old tascam porta07 with the metal tapes but the digital tascam is a great little studio.
I thought about buying one of those! Since making this video, I bought a 424, and I generally prefer it to the little digital portastudios. The digitals sacrifice too many features that were in the cassette portastudios... effects send/return being the one that has bothered me the most.
@@JordanSeal Oh nice. the 424 is great. It's nice being able to push the play and record buttons down to start recording. On my little digital tascam it took me a while to work out how to start the thing recording lol. The first time I used a recording studio round my friends house when I was 16 back in the mid 90's, I thought it was great (he was using his dads old tascam studio and it just seemed to straightforward and easy to use).
I have a Tascam 2488 Neo and have been kicking around the idea of going DAW. I play live so when Im recording I will simply play it over all the way through until I get it right. Its frustrating but good practice all the same. The only reason I want DAW is more mastering features
Whoa, I've never seen the Neo before... that looks like an epic machine. I'm sure it covers a lot of bases.
To be honest, for me, mastering is a sore spot. I know that my songs would sound much better if I learned how to master them (or had the tools, b/c clearly, the DP-006 isn't going to cut it). But I also know that mastering in a DAW would be terrible for me: I'm too prone to infinite tweaking of EQ and compression, and it always drains me. My compromise has been to use Bandlab's mastering algorithm. I'd like more control over the process, but I'm more focused on avoiding any technical black holes. And I've been happy with the results.
@@JordanSeal the Neo was pretty good for its time i guess. Im just not skilled enough to hear and sort out the unwanted EQ frequencies. The DAWs that I have saw just have a better tool for hearing them and making the adjustments. I do like the Neos CD burning feature which for its time was pretty cool.
I am the 6th watching this ;-) and I like your down to Earth talk, so you got a new subscriber. More shaving videos please lol.
Thank you for your comment and subscription! I do need to shave... I'll save it for my next video.
I have one of those. Still trying to get it to work.
Sorry to hear that it’s giving you trouble… what do you normally use to record? What did you use when you started recording?
I am computer illiterate and I just can't understand computers I like to just push record and play my songs, I think if it's a good song it doesn't need all the gear, my focus is on writing good songs and I don't want gear I have to focus on I just want to push record then lay a bass track and then drums then guitar and vocals that's it. I'm so happy that there are other people like me. I even find that tascam hard to use because I'm used to anologe pnes.i hate that there are thousands of screens behind the screen, or do many options that I wish it was one button to mix one button to master. Most of my favourite music or some of my favourite is recorded on 4 tracks, John the guitarist from the chilli peppers made 2 four track solo albums and it is still one of the greatest works of any of the chilli peppers.
I was using a Tascam 424 mkiii tape machine until just a few yrs ago then moved up to a Tascam model 12 (which is basically a digital analog recorder like the 424 mkiii). I think when you limit yourself, you can become limitless, too many options drowns out things and things get berried in the mix. I sometimes think of bringing out the 424 and using it mostly because i miss my old pal.
“I think when you limit yourself, you can become limitless.”
^^ that’s the best possible rallying cry for DAWless recording! And I tend to agree. Yes, there are things you can only do with a DAW. But that’s more a reflection of the DAW’s power, not your creativity. Whereas I think limitations force you to think creatively… to be decisive and draw inspiration from whatever you’re working with in a moment. That fosters a kind of power, and it’s the kind that I prefer compared to, idk, the power afforded by a $100 plugin.
Sometimes, being super limited is better.
I hate having to do every thing musically on a PC. If anything, I only want to use my PC for audio storage for later sampling. Such as sampling software synth patches.
In general, that's been my experience. Especially when there's a relationship between the limitations you impose and the parts of the process that give you the lowest ROI.
I get it and remember putting tape over the bottom of cassette tape’s to record I have the dp008ex 8 track version love it
I feel like it's a rite of passage: to record over a cassette of a great album and later regret it 😂
@@JordanSeal 😂 my only problem back then was the sound degraded each time you recorded over it, now I’m trying to make new machines sound Lofi
I used an app called PhoenixStudio, I don't know if it's a Daw, but it is easy to use. It has three Synths, one Drum Machine, and one mixer.
That sounds really cool, I’ll have to check it out! Do you think it is designed more for writing, or performance, or a little bit of both?
@@JordanSeal it's an app where you can make electronic Music.
I have the DP 008ex I love it.its got a hifi sound about it.
I haven't tried that model, but I've heard they're great. And I think the digital portastudios all sound great... certainly as good as any signal I've recorded into a DAW with an audio interface. (Though, of course, you've got less control on the back end.)
I love my 006. My Tascam 12 is cool but it's way more of a pain. If the 006 had 3 inputs instead of two I'd rarely have to use the T-12. The focus for me needs to be on creativity, not tweaking and troubleshooting and geaming out on a computer screen.
Those are my feelings exactly. The 006 is something special: I bought a DP-03SD a couple of months ago and, while the 8 tracks are nice, I felt more freedom and fun using the 006. It's a great device!
I'm trying to go d-a-w-less as well , thank you for this inspiring vid , btw I thought if you kept shaving all the way to a baldie it would've been badass . Thank you .
You can do it! I remain very happy to be working without a DAW. And yes, full baldie would have been amazing. I'll save that for another video 😂
I know exactly what you mean you can get so lost in the mixing and mastering with the daw. I am going to get a decent interface to see if it fixes some of the problems I was having running my mixer into the computer but if I don't like it I'm going to buy an old rolland vs880 used to be a $2,000 machine now you can get them for a hundred bucks. Although I really like my midi keyboard for drums and other accompaniment so we're going to try that first
I am just thinking, of course the quality would be less than optimal, I might dig out one of my old minidisc recorders, or oh, even better, my Sony Portable DAT Machine, in absolute MINT Condition!
Strongly support the DAT: I've never used one myself but love the idea of them. And you know what? "Optimal" is subjective. If you make something and love the sound, then it's exactly as good as it needs to be. Carry on!
I have learned the semi hard way that capturing the moment quickly in a focused, closed eco system that's dead reliable and straight forward out ways any advantage a DAW can offer.
I never really liked the results on my fairly up end system with a zillion plugins and virtual filler. A million things in your way that might go wrong before you even hit the red button.
My creativity can't afford that lag time. I like to fire off an idea in real (reel) time
and capture a great idea when it comes then and there. No impediments.
Like you I have gone down the rabbit hole of compressors and deessers and whatever
for ages and maybe I learned a thing or two along the way but did not like the results.
Never sounded like this great million dollar effort to me or the guys in my orbit.
I always thought a run of the mill well done demo tape from the eighties had a
certain impact and live quality I can't get from a DAW.
I was about to plunk down for this awesome ad/da converter and a Mac this year
but said u know what.......I will instead go with a vintage Les Paul and a Tascam DP.
Money well spent. I think these portastudios actually sound better to my ear.
There cheap, effective, versatile, reliable, have lots of features, get the job done and sound awesome.
Awesome comment. I want to see your version of this video, with the full story of your battles with (and victories over) DAWs.
I feel the same way about the Tascams, and about DAWless recording in general. Those methods energize and inspire me, and that translates to performance and, ultimately, recording. An "imperfect" but fiery performance will always sound better than a passable performance that's been perfectly compressed and de-essed. That's what I'm seeking, at least.
Hey dude. Good video. I grew up the same way; recording with cassette players and 4 and 8 track tascam tape machines. They are a wonderful way to record because, as an artist You should be focusing on Writing and Performing great songs. Not focusing on how well you used the pc's parametric equalizers on your daw. I have been using an old Cubase Le daw that is very similar to old tape recorders. I'm like Rick Rubin when it comes to producing: you get your great sounds before you even record them. Then, once recorded- you don't mess with them. Just mix the song and it's done! I agree- you waste so much time messing with pc daws that you could be spending, becoming a better songwriter or performer. So many people who are good at recording on pc's? Their songs are horrible! Why? Instead of writing great songs? They're focused on messing with internal vst fake amps and instruments???? And their songs are crap? But their recordings are good??? People? What's the point in having a great sounding song that Sucks??? Focus on the Music. Right on brother! Good video!
Thanks for watching, and I’m glad the video connected with you! We seem to have the same relationship with DAWless gear: it helps me prioritize writing and performance, which are the things I most enjoy and value. A part of me wishes I could retain that focus while using a DAW, but I can’t… and not for lack of trying!
Good story. I’m Tascam DP-006 all the way.
It's a great unit. Earlier this year, I bought one of the 8-track digital Portastudios, and frankly, I still prefer the DP-006. It's partly workflow, but it's also about minimalism. The DP-006 gives me exactly what I need and nothing more. Thanks for watching!
👍 Great video! That’s all I use to record my songs, you don’t get bogged down with to much options (DAW) I love using the Tascam DP-006. I release my songs on Spotify, TH-cam Music, etc. with a simple 8 channel mixer and the Pocket Studio. Simplicity is key.
Thanks for the video!