Need help with a potential purchase

[butterplatezero]

Hello everyone..
new to the board....
..but you look like a helpful bunch so here it goes....

I'm about to purchase my second digital multitracker ( My first was... well... forcibly removed from my life.. ) and I just wanted some helpful advice/guidance.

My first question:
Is the Korg D16XD worth a crap? ( for the price.. including overall quality and features/ease of use [editing] )
------keep in mind I'm technically saavy-------

a. If not can you offer a suggested alternative

Alright I'm losing structure so.. moving on...

Question Duece: [...it's 5am.... ]
If the Fostex VF160, the Korg D16XD, and the Roland VS1824 got in a fight who would win... or would a Yamaha come in and kick there asses..... or would the higher end Roland be worth the extra money even if it meant giving up a vintage orange amp and a rickenbacker bass guitar........

ok... that was a compound question.. sorry... but... well I'm damn tired...... so any answers would be appreciated.... Thank you in advance... everything just looks so appealing I am terribly baffled... no decent online review sites... that I can google up anyway.... all the online retailers are just trying to sell you on their stuff.... it's really frustrating.....
umm... thanks again... and..... in summary....
... I await ... stuff............. i gotta go to bead........... bed...... christ......

[StevenLindsey]

Don't have any real info for ya, but I've been contemplating the same thing. I've about got it narrowed down to these: The Korg 1600 ( or the new one ), the Yamaha 4416 or the Akai DPS24. I think the Korg is looking like the easiest to use. I have an old D8 now and really like for its simplicity. And plus, the Korgs have real knobs for the panning. I don't want to have to go through a bunch of menu layers just to do the basic tasks... 24 tracks would be nice. I keep leaning back toward the Korg since I'm already a bit familiar there. I just want something I can spit some music out of quickly with the least amount of fooling around with the recorder. Good luck with your search!

[Jblount]

Three words...



Roland, Roland, Roland. Best digital machine out there. So many options. Very good if you understand technology and computer language. You can do so much with these babies. I have been using the VS1680 for 3 years, and I still havnt used all the features on it.

[cello john]

A lot depends on your needs and likely usage. If you plan on doing a lot of editing/looping/sampling then the Roland might be best because of it's VGA output that allows for a very nice visual interface as well as other sampling features...
Some have noticed a preference for the overall sonics of the Akai DPS 24 as well as the balanced inserts for outboard equipment, a very nice feature if you have (like I do) some good mic pres and a few RNC's (compressors). The Akai does have a USB output to hook up to an external computer for a similar (but less extensive) visual read on your projects.
Many have noted a preference for the Korg's ease of use. If you do not need a multitude of tracks and don't want to spend a whole lot of time reading manuals, this might be the choice for you, and the price on the 1600 has never been better...I'm unfamiliar with specs on the D16xd...
What did you have before? Forward compatability with old archives could be a factor...

Personally, I'm leaning towards the Akai for the reputed sound quality, price point, and user friendliness...Tough to know without getting your hands on them, but the VGA option on the Roland 2480 and 2400 is the only big plus going for them IMO... Not enough to shell out an extra grand for...Akai seems to be continually expanding the options for the computer connection. Maybe even eventually as good as the Roland?

Good luck...

john