Help me decide on a stand alone:

[gpaai]

I cannot make up my mind since my original discussion in the newbie topic area.

I have posted 2 in the poll, but please feel free to jump in if you think there is a better one for under a $1,000.00.

Also, why do you choose the one you do as opposed to the other(s)?

Thanks,
Gary

[theletterq]

If you want a true stand alone, all I can say about the VF160 is:

16 faders for 16 tracks - what a concept these days.

[jeffree]

Yamaha AW16G, hands down. Get your hands on them in a store and it won't take long to decide. You can also see the Newbies section at www.aw16g.com if you need lots of convincing. As you'll see, the excellent, dedicated support offered at this site is just one more reason to go 16G. Just my opinion.

I paid $865 for mine on-line although I understand they're usually back-ordered right now--always a good sign.

Best of luck deciding,

J.

Just found a recent thread on this topic:

http://forum.aw16g.com/viewtopic.php?t=913&start=0

[teainthesahara]

Although i have not read your other thread in the newb's section, i don't blame you for being still confused - thing's have developed with these under 1k boxes so that there really is no "hands down" option anymore! If your just starting out on this multitrack recording trip - honestly and within reason - you could probably choose any one of them at random (VF16, Yammie, Zoom, Roland, Boss etc. etc. ), and you would be happy with it. You'll learn to work around the shortcomings of whatever one you get (because they all have them), and in the end, the most important thing is that you will be recording!!! So don't sweat it. Get the cheapest one with enough tracks (be generous with the amount of tracks you might need) use the rest of the money to get a decent mic, and that's it! No matter which one you get, you will not care 3 hours later as the music goes down!

[gpaai]

Great train of thought teainthesahara

Thanks to all!!!

[jeffree]

Tea... I agree that all these machines are capable, and that we would adapt to any of them and be pleased with the high-quality digital results. It's a wonderful time now for us musicians, isn't it?

But with all due respect, I don't agree that they're all as close to equal as you surmise. During the past year, I researched all units in this price range, reading every mag review I could find on both sides of the Atlantic and visiting quite a few music stores in the southern Cal areas. I'm a writer by nature, so research comes naturally and I enjoy the process.

In short, I bought the 16G after finding nearly perfect agreement among reviewers and store employees: the 16G leads the $1K pack at this time. Add to this a fantastic support group/site, and
I think the decision is a rather easy one for most to make--hence, the current backordered status of Yammies. I share these thoughts here not to feel smug or argumentative, but only to help those who find themselves on the fence needing to fall one way or another. Of course, it's just my opinion and all are free to ignore it.

Peace,

J.

[gpaai]

I may be looking in the wrong areas, but when typing in the name of each product to search engines, then adding review, I come up with the fact that the Korg D1200 is a little young, yet what there was is highly favorable. Maybe I should spend some time reading the reviews on the D12 to see where it came from.

[jeffree]

You got it, Gpaai--research is key. Above all, actually get your hands on these units if at all possible. I think you'll find such things such as the following: The Zoom unit is good if you really want a built-in drum machine but don't mind limited EQ; the Korg is good if you feel you must have 24-bit recording but don't need many tracks; the Boss is good if you want a simpler approach but can live with fewer inputs and tracks; the Fostex is good if you don't mind the different way the effects are used in the chain;
and the Yamaha seems to rise above all as simply a great 16-track recorder without a lot of extra frills--if you do without them.

Yeah, spend some time on this--it's a lot of money and future investment of recording time. Choose wisely; be happy with the result.

Over and out,

J.

[teainthesahara]

Originally posted by jeffree
Tea... I agree that all these machines are capable, and that we would adapt to any of them and be pleased with the high-quality digital results. It's a wonderful time now for us musicians, isn't it?

But with all due respect, I don't agree that they're all as close to equal as you surmise. During the past year, I researched all units in this price range, reading every mag review I could find on both sides of the Atlantic and visiting quite a few music stores in the southern Cal areas. I'm a writer by nature, so research comes naturally and I enjoy the process.

In short, I bought the 16G after finding nearly perfect agreement among reviewers and store employees: the 16G leads the $1K pack at this time. Add to this a fantastic support group/site, and
I think the decision is a rather easy one for most to make--hence, the current backordered status of Yammies. I share these thoughts here not to feel smug or argumentative, but only to help those who find themselves on the fence needing to fall one way or another. Of course, it's just my opinion and all are free to ignore it.

Peace,

J.

Hey Jeffree, actually, I don’t think I would ignore your opinion – you’ve done a lot of research on these units, so that would make your opinion both useful and qualified.

I guess my main difference in thought is that I don’t envision a standard or bar that you can really measure these machines against to make general judgments of equality, or lack there of, among them. I run a lot of x-country, so I kind of tend to think of these things like running shoes! There many manufactures making superb models of shoes. But if you pick up any running mag (which are by the way, never afraid to report that a shoe suck’s if it does), which regularly reviews and rates shoes, you’ll never see any expert touting one shoe over another – why? – because that’s misleading and even dangerous. Due to differing biomechanics, the top of the line saucony, nike or new-balance trainer will spell injury and demise for one runner, and will be like second skin to another. It’s kind of the same with these under 1k machines…what you need will dictate what is best. However, for someone that is just starting out, these machines are one and the same – they will cover all the bases. Later on, when you have the experience, you figure out what you like and don’t like about the machine, you will go through the process of working around the problems each machine presents, and that process will teach you a lot about audio recording. Each machine, not considering what features it has or does not, is equal in that regard, and I think that is what is most important. So I guess that’s why my opinion is that, in the beginning, you can pretty much choose at random – what’s eventually most important does not reside inside the box!


T

[gpaai]

Originally posted by jeffree
Yamaha seems to rise above all as simply a great 16-track recorder without a lot of extra frills--if you do without them.

What exactly do you mean by extra frills? Is the Yamaha minus such things as the guitar and vocal modeling and such?

[gpaai]

Here is yet another question about these stand alones, (I hope everyone comes back to see it).

With any or all of these units, are you able to transfer tracks from the unit to a professional studio environment?

[jeffree]

Tea, your point is a good one. I agree with the importance of what you mention; in fact, some of my favorite personal recordings (from my home studio) were made on my old Tascam Portastudio--analog 4-track, baby. Yes, it's what you know and how you use it, above all. Still, buy the best overall machine possible in your price range, given your needs and all you've learned about your options. Then use your talent and learn about the machine, slowly, methodically.

Gpaai, about the 16G, you'll find answers to your questions at the Yamaha's main site and at www.aw16g.com site. Take a look and find out about amp modeling and effects and file transfer, and the like. I think you need to do some more personal research, my friend. So much is waiting for you!--about the 16G as well as the other units you mention. Don't trust me or others too much--dive into all the fun reading materials waiting, and then get your hands on these beautiful machines. The right decision will then come for you, surely, as it does for everyone who takes the time to really investigate what's out there.

(After my own research, I still think I'm right about the best overall machine in this price range, but I'll shut up about it!)

Best,
J.

[Axe4Yahweh]

I own the Fostex VF160CDR. Fine machine. Got it on Ebay in Jan. for 832 Bux including Gig Bag and Shipping. New!

Lotsa good info here including a quick start manual:

http://www.vf16.com/

And their user forum is here:

http://pub15.ezboard.com/bvf16

We have a great bunch of people in the Fostex Forum here at HomeRecording.com too.


CR ><>

[PeteHalo]

With any or all of these units, are you able to transfer tracks from the unit to a professional studio environment? [/B]

Fostex VF160 comes with built in ADAT interface which allows you to transfer 8 tracks simultaneously to and from any pro studio environment. The competitors doesn't offer this option even at extra cost. In this sense VF160 is the most pro in the bunch as it's doesn't even claim to offer everything for everybody in a single box but it is just a great recorder with much better expandability compared to the competitors.

I don't really understand this hype about the AW16G. Yamaha basically copied a Fostex design that has been around for two years (VF16) and added a few bells and whistles to attract the newbies and at the same time dropped the only pro feature (ADAT-i/o) severily hurting the expandability of the unit. If you have plans for expanding your home studio beyond that single box in the future then VF160 is THE CHOICE.

[gpaai]

Wow! So much to think about, and so much to consider. I have had a Korg D1200 on lay-a-way at Guitar Center for about a month now. What is good about this is, the salesman told me that any time I get a change of heart, just come in and he'll hook me up.

By the way, I love the username "Axe4Yahweh"!

[Axe4Yahweh]

Glad ya appriciate the handle.

Pete is correct about the Expandability of the VF160 and that's exactly why I bought the machine. Not only can ya export to any ADAT Source with ADAT Out, you can use the ADAT In along with a Digital Mixer or a Standard Mixer with an ADAT Interface to record up to and including 16 Tracks at once. You can also link two VF160's together via ADAT and slave one of unit's mixers to record 16 Tracks at once. So, since I hope to get into doing Remote and Live Remote Recording, this was one of the big deciding factors for me.

The VF160 also has the ability to use external effects and most of the others don't. They are what is known as a Closed Box.

The VF160 is truely a bargain when it comes to Pro Type Features.

CR ><>

[sheppard]

I would highly recommend an aw4416 cd.excellent machine with all of the features you need:amp modeling,time and ambiant
effects,phantom power,16 faders.
i got mine used for 1200 and have been smiling ever since.
sheppard

[sheppard]

BTW here is a good site to ask questions on the yamaha aw4416,aw16g,or the 2816.
http://www.aw4416user.info/phpdir/ht...hp?name=Forums

[darrin_h2000]

Too bad you missed the $899 Mars blowout on the Akai DPS16. Akai makes the best stand alones. Yamaha is good too Id go that way, but they are a little difficult to learn.

[sheppard]

yes,the yamaha aw4416 does have a steep learning curve.
at time i have felt like pulling my hair out.thank god for the site i linked above.they have been a huge help.
sheppard

[Wide Awake]

Originally posted by darrin_h2000
Too bad you missed the $899 Mars blowout on the Akai DPS16. Akai makes the best stand alones. Yamaha is good too Id go that way, but they are a little difficult to learn.

I paid $1900 for my DPS16. Oops