Digital Multi-Track recorders, which do you use?

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:10 pm

I've been studying the Musicians Friend and AMS catalogs for awhile now and am trying to decide which multi-track recorder to upgrade to. I currently have the Fostex FD4, which has been ok, but is limited by the need for an external zip drive, as well as no internal CD recording, so mastering takes awhile.

I want to stay UNDER $1,000, and on-board effects would be great, if they sound professional.

Can anyone share their experiences with a digital multi-track and offer any advice?

Thanks!

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:07 pm

Hi Ron, thanks for the thread. I bought a yamaha Aw16G. It's a nice piece of equiptment and can burn cd's . Only thing, there's so much switching between pages and sences, it's much easier to transfer to the computer for tweeking. But with your computer skills it would prob. be a breeze for you. It just gets a little confusing as to what page the action you want to preform was on and how to get there. But ,like everythig elese the more you mess with it , the easier it becomes.
The new model has a usb hook up so you can conect directly to the computer with out any special conections.It also has a 40 gig hard drive and the old one (mine) only has 20. Good luck on your quest. Cool

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:27 pm

Thanks bro... I appreciate your answers!! And no probs on the forum, I hope it will be utilized and helpful to everyone..

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:50 am

great thread Ron! I'll be looking soon myself, I'm still in the dinosaur age and my power amp shot the crap and my recording machine needs belts that I can't get . . . .soooo, hopefuly this will help, lets keeps this thread alive. . .Dagon was telling me about equip. he recently bought, he was saying to stay away from regular recording machines and go with a computer and software because his hard drive crapped out on his recorder and he lost everything. . . . .Good Luck Ron!

Peace,
Erick

ubw newbie Joined: Oct 05, 2005 Posts: 23

I get asked this question all the time at my forum so I wrote an article about it.

It's called "Why Recording Computers Blow Away Standalone Units.

http://www.recordingreview.com/articles/articles/1/1/Why-Recording-Computers-Blow-Away-Standalone-Units

Brandon

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:56 pm

Thanks brandon! Off to have a read now...

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:02 pm

Ron, I just noticed this post.

I use a "dead" DAW called Paris. It was originally built by Ensoniq and bought out by EMU. It's out of production now. You could probably put together a nice system for under $1000 used. Some major lable stuff was recorded/mixed on it - it can achieve great sound in the right hands- but you use it like a tape deck with fx - it has some pretty good DSP on the cards - but it doesn't talk to other applications like many of the modern software apps do (like no virtual instruments, midi is minimal). It's really just a really good sounding digital tracker.

Here's the newgroup - still active
http://webnews.parisnewsgroup.com/

another link related
http://www.parisfaqs.com/
some pics here http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM01/Content/EMU_ENSONIQ/PR/PARIS-Pro.html

there is a guide on setting up to run in XP somewhere (I run on WinME machine)

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:05 pm

Cool!!!

Thanks shane, that sounds pretty cool.. I'll read up on it!

ubw newbie Joined: Oct 05, 2005 Posts: 23

I came very close to buying a Paris system a few years ago after reading tremenous reviews!

Brandon

ubw rookie Joined: Jun 11, 2005 Posts: 68

I agree with Brandon on this one. The quality that you get from a digital recorder is nowhere near the quality you get from a computer. There are a few options if you want to stay under $1000. You can get a computer for $500, an interface for $300 or $400, and some good software for $100-$200. I'd reccomend a Mac Mini if you want a good inexpensive computer, that's what I use and I like it a lot. But any computer will do, since the specs needed to run most good recording software are not all that high.

-Tyler

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:44 am

well i use a AKAI DPS-16 (16 tracks)with an external burner and love it ...I bought it used for 500$ it does everything i need it to do right now with no problems.. and I dont have to worry about it locking up on some stupid stuff..

everyone says software is the way to go..but it really what you feel comfortable with..

i use software (waves and wavelab) for effects and other stuff..

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:25 pm

How many line inputs does it have? Do you record live guitar, bass, or drums on it?

Thanks!

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:20 am

8 line inputs + Digital Ins(2) so you can have upto 10 line inputs

I havent record anything live be you can, I use a XL-7 Command Station for all my sounds..track out track by track..

its a real powerful machine..and I love it...

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:15 am

I have to go with the computer (Mac or PC). No real comparison here, but it is going to cost more than a grand. Probably double (or more) when you factor in a decent software suite and plugins. If you need portability, go with a laptop and a Firewire interface. Just bear in mind that your computer is now A WORKSTATION, and gaming and internet goodies are going to gum it all up. Keep it lean & mean, use disc imaging software and keep your working files BACKED UP at all times; hard-drives do crash and burn (always at the worst time!). DVD burners are cheap these days.

Anyone who has gone this route knows you will have to tweak and fine-tune your setup, but hey, it's like a race-car and you have to be (or know) a good mechanic. The nice thing is that your system will be versatile, upgradeable and expandable.

If you do alot of vocal recordings, invest in a good preamp and microphone. Save up if you have to, but it will make A WORLD of difference, no matter what format you choose to record to.

No offence to anyone using a stand-alone unit, I still use one too. But you'd have to pry my fingers off my recording computer...with a crowbar.

Cliff

"Be who you are, and say what you feel
Because those who mind don't matter,
And those who matter don't mind."
-Dr. Suess-

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:49 am

Thanks for the info bknot2 and cliff!!!

I've considered a pc recording setup before, but something in my just doesn't want to go that route. I know it probably makes the most sense, as I upgrade my pc all the time and am on it every day. Something about having a seperate recording setup has just always made sense to me. Perhaps if I went to a laptop I could still get that same feeling...

Digital Multi-Track recorders, which do you use?

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