Help!!!

[wezman2k]

I need a recorder. There are so many, and there are many debates as to whether digital is better than analog or vice versa. I'm not looking for a huge studio here people, I definitely shouldn't need more than 8 track. I need something for $500 or LESS.

I've been trying to decide between the 1 analog and several digital recorders.

I'm sorta new to recording, I'm not sure what the big deal about simultanious recording is. Is it pretty much just a benefit to drummers? That seems to be my only beef with the digital multitrackers.

These are the ones I'm trying to decide on:

The new DP-01 by Tascam
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...ase_pid/241106/

The BR- 864 by Boss
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7.../base_id/106170

and...

The 424MKIII by Tascam
http://www.tascam.com/Products/424mkIII.html

I am a guitarist...however whichever recorder I get will need to be for more than just guitars/singing. We'll need to be able to use it for drums, bass, guitars, and vocals at least.

[Rokket]

What you record on depends on a lot of variables. What other gear do you have? Mixers? Do you intend to master on the computer? Are you making demo's for cd? That will determine what you get. Most of the digital recorders out there come with a built in CD burner, and some of the cheaper ones come pc compatible. It's hard to answer your question because I don't know how you intend to use what you get? If you are recording one or two tracks at a time, any of what you listed will work. And you can record your whole band at once with a mixer and some serious thought at mic placement. Keep looking, and read the specs and manuals that musician's friend posts with most of the stuff they sell. Those will give you a pretty good idea of what they can and cannot do. Sorry I wasn't too much help. Your question is just a little too broad.

[manning1]

you need to make some very basic decisions.
tracks versus money is one. forget the medium for a moment.
computer, digital recorder standalone, cassette 4 track.
the basic decision is how many mics you want to record to seperate tracks on SOMETHING.
once you introduce drums into the equation and say you want lots of mics on the drums AND you want each drum recorded to a seperate track,
AND you want to do 60 overdub lead guitar breaks or some such crazymess,
the solution hardware wise is different than if you have a small set up
with maybe one drum mic recording all the drums with a couple of guitar players with a mic each on their amps and a lead vocallist with a mic.
the advantage of a computer is you can fine tune things to the nth degree,
and get loads of tracks. if you go 4 track you dont have much flexibilty.
you have to make decisions up front.
so - i would answer the question first and foremost how many mics do you want recorded to seperate tracks. THEN we can talk hardware solutions.
if its only 8 mics max to seperate tracks . you can get a 8 track standalone recorder, an old tascam 38 for example or a cheap pc.

[wezman2k]

we do have a mixer, i'm just not too sure on how to use it. a friend of my drummer's was selling it cheap so he just bought it.

there might be some editing on the computer, i'm not sure though. probably not too much. everything will probably be done on the recorder and then uploaded to pc, then burnt to a cd.

pretty much the only reason i'm considering a cassette 4 track is because of its sheer ease of use and also 4 simultanious recording capabilites.

[manning1]

if you post on your computer confign IN DETAIL...
i'll comment on its usefullness. for example some computers people are getting 80 tracks or more. knowing the make of mixer would help me comment as well.
i think you should read these tutorials. youll find them usefull.
http://www.garys.web.st/midibasics.htm
http://www.garys.web.st/basicintro.htm

[wezman2k]

but i don't have the portability with a computer. and i don't have the cash for a laptop...or the stuff i'd need to make it work.

[manning1]

the problem i think your going to run into is your budget with respect.
music123.com and zzounds.com have some standalone digital portable recorders you might look at at various prices or you might score a used one out of your local music paper, and there are many other retailers.

[wezman2k]

well like i said..i don't need pro quality

[Farview]

you have a mixer, why don't you get a used adat or something. Those things are dirt cheap now.