Yamaha AW4416HDCD Digital Recorder with CDR

[micah]

what does everyone think about it? i feel like it would be perfect for me. i record acoustic/ambient music in my basment... and i've been afraid to go digital, but this unit seems promising. how do you think it compares to pro tools? so far im not impressed with using pro tools for recording. maybe mastering, but not recording.

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Micah AHA:]

The 4416 by Yamaha and the 2816 and the lesser AW16 are very similar boxes; as per Yamaha, they like to put out models based on models based on models. The 4416 and 2816 are more complex models with a built in CDR CDRW burner.

In reality, the 4416/2816/AW16 are miniature computers programs in a smaller box; smaller screen; although the 4416 will use a mouse and a bigger screen, maybe the 2816 too, but I'm not sure, they both operate via push the cursor arrows. Slower but not cumbersome.

Learning curve? Depends on your experience. Manuals for any of the models, YUK. Discount the AW16 as I haven't seen that manual.

But, what else is GNU?

So I might say that the Yam DAW units are very good with sound reproduction and effects and the mic pres are not too bad. But, as you know, you can always buy a better mic pre.

Depends what you want, how much time you have to learn, etc.

Many good computer programs out there; ask those folks for their opinions.

Green Hornet

[Cratinus]

micah,
Yamaha makes great stuff. they are "fairly" new at DAW's, however. the 4416 is a fine unit (as is the 2816). editing is a bit of a "bug-a-boo" on Yammies (i.e. you can't HEAR what you are are editing). other than that, audio quality is great and interfacing with other gear is really good.
i don't own one but i've demo'd the 4416 and the 2816 quite extensively. the 4416 has a 8 extra faders plus the NICE control knobs for eq and pan, but i felt that the 2816 reacted with a bit more "pep". it responded to command changes faster and seemed a bit more intuitive to operate (DESPITE the lesser amount of knobs and faders). in EITHER case you can pop in a WAVES expansion card and have a FINE studio. if you record alot of acoustic instruments you'll appreciate the 24-bit capabilites of the 44/28 units. both are fine recorders.
CONVERSELY,...if you have a very simple setup (and have a decent outboard reverb/effects box) then you might want to consider a Tascam 788. it has only 8 tracks,. but it is 24-bit, has flexible ins/outs and the BEST customer support of any company i've ever seen.
cheers.

[Treeline]

I've been comparison shopping in a virtual sort of way, having never used any of the units. But I keep hearing of a problem with the hard drive if power is lost or the unit is not powered down properly. Has anyone experience with this?

Also look at AKAI DPS 16 (record at 96mHz, big hard drive) and KORG D12, D16 and D1200. D1200 has a CD burner for about $1200. If you're looking for a box without much in the way of compromise, there's the AKAI DPS24 - but street price is a little over $3500, and it's pretty big.

[micah]

thanks for all the info; i'm researching everything. but when it comes down to it generally, do you guys prefer digital or analog? going digital almost seems like changing religions!

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Treeline:

It is true; you can have a problem if you are recording with the 2816 or the 4416 and lose your power.

It is true; you are instructed, on page 12 of the 2816's manual how to shut down your unit. Very similar to shutting down a PC.

So, if you buy either unit, you will do well to buy a TripLight power supply UPS. Mine ran about 77 dollars and it will give me eleven minutes to shut down the unit in case the power goes out and it goes out often in my neck of the woods. It only takes 15 seconds to properly shut down either unit.

As mentioned, the sound quality is very good. I don't quite understand the comment by Cratanius about "not being able to hear your tracks while editing." If "editing" means "tweaking" I can hear my tracks as I adjust the highs, lows, compression, reverb, etc.

Burning the CDR's or CDRW's is about the easiest part of the unit and the manual does a fairly good job in that section.

Green Hornet

[Treeline]

Pardon me, I was getting drool on my keyboard...

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Tree Person:

"Saliva Blues in Bb."

Green Hornet

[Cratinus]

Green, when i mentioned the "editing" issue on the AW's, it was referring more to the "cut/paste" type stuff rather than eq/pan/fader adjustments and the like. again, i don't own one ("financially challenged" chap that i am ), but i've heard a few owners gripe about it. that being said, it is really the only issue that seems to be a tad frustrating about the Yammies. i'm not much of a "cut and paster" anyway so it probably wouldn't bother me. now, ...if i could just mow enough yards and wash enough cars, maybe i can save up enough pennies to buy one my own self