Kurtus Richter
Member
Used Gear Can Be A Blessing To Underpaid Musicians
I have been using what would be considered “old-school” digital recorders for years, considered old because most people use computers for home recording these days. But I’ve come across loads of recording gear at pawn shops that still work fine, and which I recommend to musicians on tight budgets. Check the pawn shops, thrift stores, and also used gear at music stores that sell pre-owned instruments and equipment.
I don’t have all the bells and whistles that someone with a costly computer rig might have, what with all the software available today. And I approve of what can be done with such gear. But I have found that my gear does the trick for me, and the same may be said for other musicians who frequent places where used gear is sold, and who check online outlets like Guitar Center (www.guitarcenter.com). [Don’t trust online sources not known to be reliable. Always go known trusted sources; e.g., Guitar Center, or Sweetwater, etc.]
You can judge for yourself the result of my efforts by listening to my music with this link.
https://soundcloud.com/h-kurt-richter
Note: A commentator once said that some of my music sounds like I am clipping the recording interface, which I am careful not to do. I have determined that what he was hearing was distorted guitar, since I tend to use lots of distortion on my guitars. Maybe he is not used to that.
My Gear:
Tascam DP-01 Digital Portastudio; digital 8-track recorder. My primary recorder. From a pawn shop.
Fostex VF80-EX Digital Multitracker; 8-track recorder. Mix-down recorder. From a pawn shop.
Fostex MR-8 Digital Multitracker; 8-track recorder. Used for excellent built-in effects. From a pawn shop.
Boss DR-550-MKII “Dr. Rhythm” digital drum machine. From a pawn shop.
Boss SY-1 Guitar Synthesizer pedal. Bought used at my local Guitar Center store.
Yamaha PSR-E323 Electronic Keyboard. Has many different sounds. From a thrift store.
Fender Mustang III Guitar Amplifier. Includes built-in digital effects processor. Bought from a friend.
ESP custom LTD 6-String Guitar. 24 frets, Floyd Rose bridge, and active electronics. From a pawn shop.
“Baltimore” by Johnson Strat-Copy 6-String Guitar. Passive electronics. From a thrift store.
JB Player 6-String Electric Bass. Passive electronics. From a pawn shop.
Phillips FW320C Home Stereo with Bose Speakers. Stereo from thrift store. Speakers from a friend.
I do, however, use a computer to make CDs of my albums, and for uploading my music to SoundCloud and AudioMack. So, I am not so old that I can’t put a computer to use. In fact, I have an AS Degree in Computer Science. It’s just that I like saving money by collecting “out dated” gear that still works and helps me do what I want with music. Maybe musicians on limited budgets could learn from my habits.
I have been using what would be considered “old-school” digital recorders for years, considered old because most people use computers for home recording these days. But I’ve come across loads of recording gear at pawn shops that still work fine, and which I recommend to musicians on tight budgets. Check the pawn shops, thrift stores, and also used gear at music stores that sell pre-owned instruments and equipment.
I don’t have all the bells and whistles that someone with a costly computer rig might have, what with all the software available today. And I approve of what can be done with such gear. But I have found that my gear does the trick for me, and the same may be said for other musicians who frequent places where used gear is sold, and who check online outlets like Guitar Center (www.guitarcenter.com). [Don’t trust online sources not known to be reliable. Always go known trusted sources; e.g., Guitar Center, or Sweetwater, etc.]
You can judge for yourself the result of my efforts by listening to my music with this link.
https://soundcloud.com/h-kurt-richter
Note: A commentator once said that some of my music sounds like I am clipping the recording interface, which I am careful not to do. I have determined that what he was hearing was distorted guitar, since I tend to use lots of distortion on my guitars. Maybe he is not used to that.
My Gear:
Tascam DP-01 Digital Portastudio; digital 8-track recorder. My primary recorder. From a pawn shop.
Fostex VF80-EX Digital Multitracker; 8-track recorder. Mix-down recorder. From a pawn shop.
Fostex MR-8 Digital Multitracker; 8-track recorder. Used for excellent built-in effects. From a pawn shop.
Boss DR-550-MKII “Dr. Rhythm” digital drum machine. From a pawn shop.
Boss SY-1 Guitar Synthesizer pedal. Bought used at my local Guitar Center store.
Yamaha PSR-E323 Electronic Keyboard. Has many different sounds. From a thrift store.
Fender Mustang III Guitar Amplifier. Includes built-in digital effects processor. Bought from a friend.
ESP custom LTD 6-String Guitar. 24 frets, Floyd Rose bridge, and active electronics. From a pawn shop.
“Baltimore” by Johnson Strat-Copy 6-String Guitar. Passive electronics. From a thrift store.
JB Player 6-String Electric Bass. Passive electronics. From a pawn shop.
Phillips FW320C Home Stereo with Bose Speakers. Stereo from thrift store. Speakers from a friend.
I do, however, use a computer to make CDs of my albums, and for uploading my music to SoundCloud and AudioMack. So, I am not so old that I can’t put a computer to use. In fact, I have an AS Degree in Computer Science. It’s just that I like saving money by collecting “out dated” gear that still works and helps me do what I want with music. Maybe musicians on limited budgets could learn from my habits.