SIMPLY which 16 Track Digital Workstation?

[Indecisive]

All,

I have been pounding the net and the pavement trying to collect as much info as possible for the purchase of a new digital recorder for the band I'm in. We play an alternative style of music and we have been producing tapes off a 4-track Tascam for over 10 years. It's worked great for it's purpose. We have made it into the studio twice to record CD's and we are now hoping to make the transition into recording demo CD's on our own.

Our budget is under $2000 and we want the most bang for the buck with a good recording. Our choices have now narrowed to the following (no particular order): Tascam 2488, Yamaha AW2816 or AW4416, Korg D-1600 mkII, Boss BR-1600CD.

We look forward to any and all help that this forum can interject. I have seen some super good information on this site and it sounds like there are a ton of people that know what they are talking about. If you have any other ideas or questions please feel free to ask and tell.

Thanks in advance!

[pmarangoni]

I am going through the same decision making process myself. I am leaning towards the BOSS BR1600, mainly for its mastering features.

[RyanEmerson]

If there are only 8 XRL inputs, does that mean the only way to record guitar is through an adapter?

[Ferrari 1]

Hey guys, new to the board. Saw your post and thought I could contribute. After 1 solid year of talking to engineers, techies, etc., I decided on the Roland 1680. Actually we have two and we sync them up together. Each has 256 virtual tracks.

It is very user friendly, which was imparitive. We have just finished recording our entire new CD on these units, and took the masters to a studio for mastering.

Do check them out, you can buy them used for around what you are willing to pay.

All the best,
Ferrari 1

[kindred559]

The roland studios are very user friendly and sound very well. I'm usen the 1824 right now for our projects. Check ebay,it's where I found mine factory sealed, with warranty, no tax, shipping free, and $400 dollers less than the store price. No it wasn't refurbished it was just a great find. There out there. But ebay is a great place to look.

[72fender]

I'm buying a BR-1600. The BR-1600 has 8 XLR inputs plus two guitar inputs located on the front of the recorder. I'm selling my VS-880EX for $500. It has the CD burner, all the updates, manuals, video manuals and VS Logic software.

[sp_clark]

Hey, you might want to check my comments in the 'Negative review of 1600' thread b4 you buy. I actually DO like my 1600, but it has some 'features' that drive me nuts

good luck

[72fender]

sp_clark - I read your review and took it at face value because you are a newbie. I have a BR-8 and am familiar with the terms that Roland/Boss uses. I also checked it out at NAMM and I know Phil Gates from Roland if I have any problems,