All in one "digital workstations" ... Your advice please !

  • Thread starter Thread starter cjacek
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cjacek

cjacek

Analogue Enthusiast
Hi !

I mostly record to prerecorded music and add my vocals so in reality I don't need more than a 4 track recorder. I've been using a Tascam 414 MK2 and I have no complaints. In addition I use the AT 4033 mic, tube mp and lexicon mpx 100 and the RNC (thank u all who helped me decide on these last ones). Anyway, I love the sound I'm getting and so I'm not in need of more and more gear and features ... well sort of ;) Ok here's the deal ... I'm looking for an "all in one" digital workstation. I want to be able to do several "takes" and take the best parts of these and make one "master" take and also I want to correct certain mistakes like just even a single word etc. So in essence I want total control of my takes. Also, if possible, I want the unit to have effects etc etc etc ... I then will only need a compressor and mic and preamp. I looked at the Korg D8 8-Track Digital Workstation and it looks good but I do need some advice ... ok, a lot of advice ! Which would be a good unit to go with for a reasonable price ? Also, how does "digital" behave in relation to tape recording ?

Thanks again to all who responded to my past posts and those who will to this one :)

Dan
 
ONE ADDITIONAL THING ...

Hi,

I would like to add to my previous post that I looked at the Yamaha MD4S and was wondering if this unit would fit in as the "all in one" I'm looking for ? I know it doesn't have effects included but is this unit capable of everything else I'm looking for ? (As in my previous post).

Thanks.

Dan
 
G'day,

I'm a very happy owner of a Korg D8. So my advice may be somewhat biased!
There is a plethora of info and opinions on this subject all over this, and other forums, but you just have to make up your own mind depending on what you want to end up with.
But for my .2c worth...
The Korg has inbuilt effects, some good, some average.
The Korg uses uncompressed data and writes it directly to its built-in hard disk (which is updatable. it uses Toshiba laptop drives!) Minidisk recorders have to compress the data they use. (for what it's worth.)
I had never even used a multitrack cassette recorder but the Korg was easy for me to learn.
Has audio ins & outs, aux ins & outs, midi ins & outs, optical S/Pdif in & out and scsi connection for adding external discs or backing-up to Jaz, Orb, Zip, etc.
Sound quality is quite good, it's a compact package and a good price for what you get!
Does that sound too much like an ad?!?
Try the FAQ page at http://www.egroups.com/messages/KorgD8
Good Luck
 
One thing about the Minidisc stuff,it sounds better than cassette on the 1st generation,but if you ever get a notion to do any track bouncing to free up tracks you'll find that the cumulative effects of the lossy data compression scheme that minidisc uses start to make your sound kinda ugly.If you can swing it,I'd go with the Tascam 788 which is on sale for $1199 WITH the Tascam CD burner included,so you can back up your hard drive AND make your own audio CD's.Or try to find a used or NOS Roland 880EX.
 
Sounds like you have a clear plan and are a capable recordist, so I think the Korg 8-track may be your cup o' meat. But if you wanted to keep recording on a super-easy basis along with pretty good flexibility and good fX, you should check the Boss BR-8. My guitarist's chronicle and ongoing review of the Br-8 is at http://br8page.editthispage.com

Bon chance!
RT
 
Hi,

Just wanted to say thank you to all who responded. Thank you for all your help :)

Dan
 
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