Recording in Iraq

[jami0821]

Hi everyone!

My Army National Guard unit has recently been activated and heading to Iraq at the end of the month. My question to you: What suggestions do you have about setting up minimal recording in Iraq? Considering I plan on having a laptop with me... what else should I be considering in order to make this a reality?

-Jami

[MrKeysAOO]

National guard is headed over sees huh? Interesting. Gotta know.....what are you planning to record while stationed in Iraq?

[jami0821]

I am, of course, trying to continue my music career while I'm away for 12-18 months. I imagine I won't have more than an acoustic guitar with me as an instrument. Sampling wouldn't be out of the question. I wouldn't mind using drum loops if I can implement it.

To hear tracks that I've done here in the states, go to www.myspace.com/thecombatbaby

[Foreverain4]

if you already have a laptop, an Mbox may be a good choice. it comes with reason adapted (i think). that would allow you to do virtual instruments and such....

[MrKeysAOO]

good call

[djui5]

M-box would be my suggestion as well. They're great little units. The software will come with Reason and Live, which should be enough to make some decent ref bed tracks to play to.
You could always install gigastudio in it too if you have a pc.

[taylor gauge]

this is actually funny to hear that someone else is as crazy as i was. i am an active duty member of the us army and was deployed to iraq for 16 months with 1AD last year. i had plenty of experience using pro tools previous to my deployment, so i went with an mbox. it was small and portable and i could continue using the same software that i was comfortable with. once you get the hang of pro tools it becomes pretty simple to handle minor tasks. i do suggest though, i don't know how your unit is set up, taking an electric guitar. it was always so loud there that i would have never dreamed of micing anything. using an electric guitar, teamed up with the free amplitube plug-in you should be straight. on top of that, as someone else had already mentioned, you get ableton live digi edition which will allow you to program your own drum beats and also create some backing tracks between that and sampletank, reason, etc.

bottom line is, go with the mbox. i've been there and know that it was the best possible solution. i will be deploying again soon and i am going to use the same setup.

hopefully this was helpful.


taylor gauge
www.myspace.com/deathbeforedesire
www.myspace.com/theveilworldwide

[Dan Kennedy]

Good luck guys,

My son is on his way back for his second tour too.

He's not into recording, other than as many porno's as he could find...

The Mbox ought to do great.

[taylor gauge]

haha. so is every other soldier. tell him i said good luck and stay safe.

taylor gauge
www.myspace.com/deathbeforedesire
www.myspace.com/theveilworldwide

[Dan Kennedy]

I will, thanks, you too!

[Justin]

If you want to be portable, get a pocket MiniDisc recorder that has an internal stereo mic.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MZB100/

We've had a lot of people use those for deep field recording because of the small size and they can run off of batteries if there is no AC available.

You just have to pack lots of AA batteries and blank disks.

Those are more useful for doing journalistic type work though, a little rough for music recording.