Should i use PC or standalone unit

[Rogerpf]

Getting back into things after a while. I am doing mostly home recording with maybe 2 to 4 ins at a time at most.

I am hoping to get some feedback on which direction to go: pc with good sound card and software such as Sonar...or...standalone such as Roland VS series or Yamaha with CD burner built in.

Comments and thoughts from anyone who has kept up with latest advances would be really appreciated!

[Stealthtech]

PC for more versatility, options, track count, effects, etc...
Standalone for easy learning curve, hands on, simple operation, portability.
If you can afford it, its nice to have both.

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Roger:

I don't know if the SIAB is any "easier" to learn than a PC format as sayeth the Stealthy One.

Oh, the 4 trackers out there are fairly easy to navigate; but, the Roland boxes and the Yams, [I use the Yam 2816] require some intensive reading because of the organization of information in the manuals -- it isn't organized very well. And, those folks who write the manuals are NOT considering the audience, that is the non-engineers who play music and want to record it and burn CD's.

I have a Yam MD-8 still hooked up in my studio and that box took a while to understand. It was easier for me because I had a Tascam 8 tracker before the MD-8. Experience is a great asset. And, I get tons of information here on this site.

For portability, the DAW's are easier to move than the PC based units. And, to tell you the truth, the Yam 2816 and other SIAB's are really miniature PC's. Some can even support a mouse hook-up. But, the screen is smaller and it is a bit slower to navigate using the arrow buttons.

Best bet is to try to get your digits on a couple of SIAB's units and check out some PC programs. Take a trip to a vender who has the stuff on display and play.

Green Hornet

[Rogerpf]

Thanks for the comments. I have come up with vs 800vx and plan to research some updated software (I was using master track pro with a 4 track tascam tape years ago). So it sounds like I can try to figure out the vs 880 and use it in conjunction with my pc based system once I get that up and running too? I have some more reading and research to do, thanks for the input! R

[Boray]

VS880? Here is a great place to learn about it (and all other VS models):
http://www.vsplanet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php

Good luck!

/Anders