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[$ethie]

So... I've been writing some shit, and I have some extra money. I want to buy a Tascam portastudio (one of the old 4 track ones that records onto standard cassettes, that I can get on ebay for cheap) but I'm not sure that's what I want, and I'm not sure what else I need.


First, I need to be able to record myself playing and singing simultaneously. I don't want to record the piano, then have to match the vocals to that.

Second, my piano is a Yamaha CLP220, so I think I could just use a midi cable to record. But, I don't know. And I don't have a midi cable.

Third, I'd need a microphone, and I'm poor. Any recommendations?

Fourth, I'm retarded. Help me, please, oh great minds of the shadowbox.

[roboticvampire]

Find a cheap multi-track input device thingy that you can plug into a usb port, and make sure it comes with recording software.  That way you can add in other tracks later if you want, and fix up your flubs instead of having to start over from the beginning.  Most of the cheaper ones can only handle two tracks at once, but that's all you're going to need if you're only recording yourself.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Oh same here. Poor and computer illiterate. I need someone to haul their ass to my house and TEACH me VISUALLY and not VERBALLY. Damn.

What I did was go to the dollar store and buy me a mic, it only cost a dollar. Then I came home, plugged that shit in, downloaded Polder Bits. Which is excellent because unlike others its free trial is 2 weeks, then you can extend it for another 2 weeks. So I install, 2 weeks later extend. Uninstall. Reinstall and repeat. Hehehehehe. Although the free trial doesn't have everything that it would if you bought the software. Alas, when you do hear the final outcome it doesn't sound too great. Very home-made quality, but because I don't know what I'm doing 88% of the time that contributes to the sad quality. But it's listenable.

[$ethie]

No, no... I don't want anything digital, I know that. It's too complicated. I'd get confused, and end up angry and drunk. Plus, my computer's just not reliable enough. I think I want this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-MFP01-Recording-Bundle?sku=240893

but I'm not sure if it'll do everything I want to. Basically, I need to be able to record my piano and my voice at the same time. Vocals should be easy. Just plug in a microphone and go to it. Piano, though, could be harder. I don't know exactly how a midi cable works, and I think It'd be hard to get good quality sound from one microphone.

So, basically, will this record two tracks simultaneously, and what do I need to record my piano?

And, if this won't do all of that, what is there that's similar? (i.e., records to a cassette)

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Get a record label.

[$ethie]

Get a record label.

Nice one. 

[$ethie]

Okay, I think this is what I want. It says it can record two tracks at the same time.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-Porta-02-MKII-Portastudio?sku=240744

So, I can just plug in a microphone, and my piano, because I looked at all the little ports, and there are two headphone jacks, but they're big 1/4" inch ports. So, I'm thinking I can just use a guitar cable thingy and that hole to hook it up to the recorder. and the other hole for headphones, so I can hear what I'm playing.

Does that sound right?

Ignore any grammar or spelling mistakes. I'm fucking tired...

[number6]

Exactly right!!

[$ethie]

Yay!

I'm going to order it sometime today. Visa gift cards are the shit.

Anyone know of any good (read: good and cheap) microphones / headphones? Like, under $25.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

^^ Dollar store, no I'm kidding. Actually I'm not. Sometime the dollar store has some pretty nifty shit.