Recording live music w/ a bbx: Is this a sound idea?

[manimal347]

Anyone had experience with recording music on a vintage boombox, especially in recent times? I plan to hook up three microphones, have friends hold them, then capture friends' street performances for novelty and Myspace vanity. I've also fancied the idea of putting the box on the curb, next to a cardboard sign stating that I'll do a free recording. I figured I'd digitize the tape to PC, then upload it to their e-mail. I live in a neo-hippie boardwalk town so I think people might enjoy this as much as I would enjoy seeing them smile as they talk or rhyme into the mike.

Of course, a 4-track or digital recorder of somesuch makes much more practical sense in 2010, but something about my twenty pounds of chrome and woofer makes people stop and stare. I figure it would be the perfect lure.

Can anyone comment on the general fidelity obtainable with a decent microphone and properly metered levels? Would the results be insulting? Is it too much of a pain to mix and master without knowing what will come ahead? I'm honestly just curious if my idea is practical. Thanks.

 

[redbenjoe]

you will have fun and a very usable and enjoyable result --
but dont expect much critical fidelity --

"just do it "

 

[Kid Sensation]

agreed with RBJ.

Definately will have its real own effect.


what box are you planning to use exactly?

 

[BoomBoxDeluxe]

Yeah, Live recordings that are all analog, baby!

A good box will do nothing with a rubbish tape popped in it.

Make sure that the microphones are good, clean tape-heads, carefully-set recording levels (if they are manually adjustable on the box of your choice.....) a good quality tape, and there it is.

For tapes, try and go for Chrome, or if you have one......Metal. Of course, you can only use these if the box accepts them!

If the box likes Chrome or even Metal, and you have the tapes, then go for it.

Just make sure that, when people are singing -or rapping- into the mics, that they don't hold them too close, as this can ruin even the best recording on the best of tapes, and boomboxes.


Have fun!

-BoomBoxDeluxe.

 

[manimal347]

Thank you all for the advice. I plan on using a Panasonic RX-5600, and I would use chrome tape. On this box, I have two VU meters and fully adjustable level settings. I have no microphones, and am thinking the kind Radioshack might have sold for thirty bucks a good decade back. Whatever I can scrounge up that's music-grade, basically. And yes, I need to clean and tune my cassette recorder. It does sound a bit dull and cruddy as-is, ruining the otherwise hi-fi sound of my box.

If I ever do this, I'll post a thread with my thoughts on how it went.

 

[redbenjoe]

or----
if you just want to go for some low budget // NO budget fun -

then forget $$ buying mics --
use the built- in mics-

if you like the music -
you will like the tape you make --really !!!

 

[mellymelsr]

I recorded my daughter's flute recital with my M70 using a Maxell XLII tape and the recording sounded surprisingly good...so I say go for it....but the quality of the box and cassette will make a huge difference in sound...