Home computer vs. digital recorder (e.g., $399 Boss with mini disks)

[Bob in Melrose]

My 16 yr old son is into guitar: playing, performing, and recording sound files on our computer. I'm starting to research this, trying to determine what's best to start with: record on home computer and buy necessary s/w and soundcards, or buy a digital recorder.

I don't want to start out big, but I don't want to start out too cheap, either. I'd like to give him something with a little bit of quality. I'd like to know that he would enjoy recording before spending significant dollars. I would do the Boss digital recorder if I knew that was the only way to go slowly. This make sense?

Any advise? Need more info?
thanks

[Seanmorse79]

If you or your son are technically inclined with the computer, this may be the best route to go. Without going into too much detail, here's a quick list of pro's & cons....

PC RECORDING
==pros==
- Much more flexibility
- Upgradeability
- Less expensive to get started

==cons==
- Fighting & tweaking hardware & software problems
- Not very portable


RECORDER
==pros==
- Self-contained and portable
- Everything you need to get started with no major surprises

==cons==
- Limited upgradeability
- Limited recording quality


In short, if one of you isn't a fairly proficient with the computer, I'd go with a recorder. The last thing you want is a budding musical mind burdened and bogged down with frustration.

Just to make sure, however. I'm assuming you're talking about the Boss BR-8 that records on Zip disks, right?

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Melrose Bob:

Young folks today like to "get it done...." So, the computer with all of its menus may not be the way to start.

I have an MD8. Easy to use and the sound quality will satisfy your son. Eight tracks so no need to really bounce stuff. One Sony data disc will last almost forever.

At this time the MD8 does not have a digital out but you can dump down to tape -- keep the cost low. Or, you can splurge for a DAT or whatever you want. You can even hook up the playback for the MD8 into a home stereo amp, which is what I do because it is a good amp and it allows me to run EVERYTHING, including two tape decks, either direction, a CD, supports two sets of speakers, etc.


I guess the BR8 is also fairly easy to use. I think the operative word for "beginners" is Easy?

Merry Christmas in Melrose
Green Hornet

[Metronome]

I would check out Sonic Foundry's Acid if I were you. You can get a basic version for free, an intermediate version or the Pro version. It is good as a hard disk recorder, but the fun starts after you've recorded everything.

I like hardware based sequencers but I use computers for hard disk recording, you just can't beat them at any price point.

[Seanmorse79]

I'm assuming we're talking about straight recording here. If we're talking about sequencing or loops, then I'd agree. It all depends on what kind of stuff he's looking to do.

[SirRiff]

Greetings,

I started out with the MD8, its great for "plug and play" recording.
Don't need to know alot, its quick to learn, and if you put effort into it you can get a good quality sound. (pluss it has 12 ins! great for recording a full band with lots of drum mics!)

It could be argued it doesn't match up to hard disk recording which isn't compressed, which is true of course. However, for 99% of people starting out with digital recording is a great stepping stone. The only thing is if you are absolutely sure you are going to be into recording for the long haul and expect to put money into it as a serious hobby, i would learn how to put together a computer (its not hard as I once thought) and save the "intermediate" step of a dedicated setup.

If I knew then what I knew now i would have built a cheap computer just for recording.

SirRiff

[old guy]

From my own past experience, I would recommend going with one of the Boss, Roland(VS series), or Korg(D8-D16...D whatever) Reason being is after having tried a few of the "programs" ie. computer based studios, I found myself tweeking to death. A lot of my friends have found the same thing also. If you're unable to reproduce live, the enhanced and immaculately finished score that you create on the computer....then I ask...what's the point. He'd gain a better understanding of the recording techniques if he were to take a more hands on approach, as opposed to letting a computer do it for ya. I'm using twin D8's (sync'd) it's more than enough. My clientele, a fair percentage, involves voice over work. I also create backgrounds for solo artists, percussion, full orchestration, from the ground up, and I don't need 24..32..64..or 128 tracks to do it. I just hate to see someone lulled into the trap of what I call a sense of "false authenticity". Good Luck Bob in Melrose, with whatever you choose to do.
http://sh-boom.freehomepage.com/index.html

[A Reel Person]

...records to 32MB SmartMedia memory card (included), expandable to 128MB. 4 primary tracks +8 virtual tracks. Onboard effects and stereo drum track. Record digitally and dump data to computer or CDR recorder. Sounds good, right? The only downside to the BOSS BR-532 is that it appears to only have one input, and only record one track at a time, which would be a hinderance to more advanced recording techniques. It is all digital, though, and for a low-end product, it looks pretty good.

-There's also a KORG PXR4, digital 4-tracker. It has one 1/4" input, a stereo mic/line in, plus built in mic, and appears to record up to 2 tracks at a time. The Korg PXR4 also records to smart media cards, like the Boss BR-532, but appears to be much smaller than the BR-532. The Korg PXR4 retails for $399, also.

If you're determined to go digital, right out of the box, then these units would be fine to start out on, especially if your son likes super-high-techy things.

On the other hand, for the "bang for the buck" and pure, out & out simplicity, for $399, I'd recommend skipping over the Boss, the Korg, and all the digital gizmos, and go for the Tascam 424mkIII 4-track cassette Portastudio. By far, you get a much more full featured and robust production tool with the 424mkIII, than you do with either the BR-532, or the PXR4. I'll put the BR-8 on that list. IMO, the Tascam 424mkIII also blows away the BR-8.

The Tascam 424mkIII, for $399, has a much more complex and powerful integral 6x2x2 mixer, and by far, a simple cassette based unit is much easier to work than the digital workstations.

When all is said & done, you may still mix your 424mkIII/cassette recordings onto your PC, into Wav files, and burn CDs of your work.

Also, if your budget figure is appx $399, you'll barely scratch the surface of computer-based recording, for $399.

Again, if your son's a 'natural', hands-on home recordist, he may like the simple analog 424mkIII Portastudio format better, 'cause you have to be a little more 'high-techy', or 'techno-geek' to really appreciate the digitals.

Last word, IMHO, for $399, feature-for-feature, the Tascam 424mkIII cassette 4-track Portastudio is better value than the Boss BR-532 and Korg PXR4 digital tinker-toys.

Good luck, & keep us posted on what you buy. Inquiring minds want to know!