Roland VS 840 (old and new)

[jackibar]

Hi, Everyone - I'm new to this forum, so bear with me! I'm looking to purchase a digital 8-track recorder and a CD burner to be able to record original music and then master to CD. I currently have a Macintosh G3 and MOTU's Performer software (not "Digital Performer" - but the regular MIDI Performer 6.0). I need to be able to sync the outputs from my computer's MIDI interface (Midi Express - MOTU) to the digital recorder I get, where I plan to add the vocals and acoustic instruments.

I've been looking at the Roland VS 840, but it seems that it's being
replaced by an 890(?)... Would these be a good choice for what I'm trying to do? I'm on a limited budget, BTW! Also, I've located a used 840 here in town, but it's the older model - I know it has a 100 mb Zip drive instead of the 250 mb Zips that come in the newer models, but is this the only difference? Did the older model contain onboard effects like the newer ones?

Is there a better option for digital recording? And would any CD burner work for the music, as well as data?

Thanks a bunch...

Jacki