best and best-priced digital multi-track recorders

  • Thread starter Thread starter devalvacoa
  • Start date Start date
D

devalvacoa

New member
hey all,

over the summer, I'm hoping to do a lot of recording -- I'll have already graduated from high school, so I'll hopefully have plenty of time *knock on wood* set aside for recording.

But I DO not know which digital multi-track recorder to purchase/start off with. I know I want something I wouldn't have to upgrade -- and it seems like all those Roland VS models (I was eyeing the VS880) have all these expansions and all. I know I don't need something overly too powerful -- a $1500+ Yamaha mixer. I know I certainly want the sucker to house as many songs possible -- so the Tascam 788 (with 7.5 gigs) is close to being out of the question. I know I want to avoid those multi-track recorders that record to your computer's hard drive (a la the Tascam US428). And I know I want it to have a(n) (internal) CD Burner -- the Korg D1200 looks good.


But I think you all know more than me and could give me good advice, thusly. So tell me, what are some good, good-priced digital multi-track recorders? I think I could score a $1000 product as a graduation present -- so let's establish $1000 as the budget. Oh, and I wouldn't mind your thoughts on the best microphones too (yes, Shure, definitely; but what other ones/types?).

FYI: I play a Martin HD28, and I've been using both my Yamaha AG Stompbox and my school's AudioTechnica cardioid condensor microphone with (again, my school's) Yamaha Mixer AW2816 to record. So I'm pretty familiar with the stuff. I just need some advice on what to get for myself.
 
If you have $1000 budget, you will be able to spend around $600-700 for the multi track recorded (you do need to buy mics & cables right?) so for 700 dollar the Korg D1200 is a good choice
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--KORD1200

I am not a great fan of mulitrack recorders, I prefer working in computers. If you use the same $1000 for a computer based recording setup, you will get more flexibilityand may be quality (I can see all the recorders you specified dont go more than 44.1Khz). Lets see what others say about this.
 
i know you said you dont wanna record to youre computers hard drive but everything you just said points away from siab and right to computer based- and as far as upgrades- i would anticipate quickly growing out of any stand alone less than a grand- and besides that, mics are probably gonna be your bigget sound quality issue- id spen half of your budget on mics alone- wich doesnt leave you much fo a recorder- and what about mic pres- do you have a mixer- most stad alone under a grand only have 2 mic pres- the only reason id look tand alone over computer is portability- but if you already have a laptop then even thats not an issue- just somethin to think about

you should probably list what exacly you hope to accomplish with your new set up- what are you recording- how many tracks at a time- etc, etc.

jeff
 
Agreed.

I think you'd be better off with a computer-based solution.

Think about that, specify a budget, and we'll go from there. :) I've certainly got ideas (Digi...Digi...Digi....)

Hehehehe. :D
 
Yo Deval:

It's a buyers' market out there today due to the slow economy. So, no matter which way you go, you should call ALL of the 800 numbers and check the vendors.

Also, it would help if you took a trip to a large vendor and demoed as many units as possible.

Some are easy to learn and others are very difficult due to the organization of the manuals.

Lots of folks are buying the Yam AW16 which is a spin-off on the 2816 and 4416. The quality is good as I use the 2816 and keep learning it each time I turn it on and with help from the folks on this site.

You will many times find one reputable vendor will offer you a unit at more than 100 dollars less than another vendor. Timing is everything so use the 800 numbers and start a file and jot down information, shipping costs, etc.

Green Hornet :D :D :p
 
awwwesome

woah. thank you all so much for your input.

Yeah, I guess subconsciously I am leaning more toward computer-based recording machines. The reason I'm confused between computer-based and stand-alone recorders is because I was having a talk w/ my music teacher and he said, something to this effect, that stand-alones are ideal -- and I figured he's got some good advice.

But you all have good advice, too -- great advice, in fact. I'm now considering dividing that $1000 among the recorder, mikes, and accessories (i.e. cables, any other connections).

And I think I'll put in some more info about the kind of recording I'll do, and, I guess, my set-up:

The sound: In college, I'll probably be doing a lot of recording with my acoustic guitar via a microphone and my Yamaha AG Stomp direct recording utility, and some recording with my electric guitar direct (with a POD 2.0). Also, there's a good chance I'll be recording a friend of mine singing, playing a set of drums, and some bass guitar, too. (Portability is a must, you're right, Kremitmusic.) I can't say exactly what my setup'll be, because in college the results might be totally different.

But RIGHT NOW, right now, I'll be recording acoustic guitar (my friend and I playing at the same time), my friend singing, and possibly some percussion (e.g. bongos, shakers, etc.). And maybe a little drums. Let's stick with this, and a budget of $1000 for recording equipment alone.

Okay, for a long time (before listening to my music teacher rant about how good stand-alones are), I seriously considered the Tascam US428, because it received remarkable reviews in Acoustic Guitar Magazine last year, as being one of the top recorder-to-computer devices/interfaces.

I found this on the internet: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...98179480425/g=home/search/d=tp?q=tascam+us428 ... and that's a pretty sweet deal -- esp. the rebate. At ZZsounds, I'd end up paying roughly $500 (http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/prodsearch?form=prodsearch&q=tascam+us428), but at musiciansfriend.com, only $450 MAX (for the US428, w/ shipping/handling included).

So AS OF NOW I have my eye on the US428...

In terms of computers, I have, for a long time, been telling my dad I want an Apple Powerbook -- but with all this spending on recording equipment, I'm going for an IBOOK (hopefully) -- http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...ZATvqE1Z9lIn8v/1.3.0.5.21.1.2.19.3.1.1.0?36,9


PROBLEMS: I read in that same issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine that it'd be a good idea to buy a separate hard drive for all the recording I'll be doing. Is this a good idea even though I'll have an Apple, which are supposedly really good machines to use with music and graphic/visual applications (i.e. recording, graphic design with Adobe Photoshop, et al).? If you think I should also invest in an external hard drive, what do you think of this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/Detail.asp?m=488&cat=511&scat=512&e=11217902 ?

Also, is it a good idea to have a mixer/is a mixer really necessary? Any truly necessary rack effects I'd need?

Ummm... any other ideas you all have, I'd like to hear them.

Oh, and microphones, if I just bought, say, an Audio Technica cardioid condenser mike (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...8179480425/g=home/search/detail/base_id/53181), could I use that to record guitars and vocals and drums (not at the same time, but separately) and still get a good sound from all 3?
 
I am currently a user of the Roland 880ex. If you are going to get one, I'd recomment the EX over the 880expanded (two different animals). You get all the effects built in, 2 extra analog inputs, and I think there is another benefit too (maybe higher sample rate, or bit depth?). The 880 SIAB (studio in a box), or any of the newer ones are really amazing units. The thing that I don't like about them though is that, they are proprietary in a couple of ways.

- You can only use SCSI external harddrives, or other external media like SCSI Jazz etc. for extra storage (besides the internal drive), and IDE is much cheaper now. I have a couple of external Harddrives and a burner for mine, so I've gotten past that for the most part. I know Roland has a box out now with a built-in burner though.

- The Knowledge of using the Roland units only helps you with using the other Roland units. Whereas if you use brand A's interface with Sonar (or whatever DAW package), and decide to switch brands to Brand B's higher quality, or more input interface, you can still just use the same software like you did before.

The cool thing about a SIAB unit like the Korg or Roland:

-totally self contained, small, and portable. No keyboard, mouse, monitor hangin around (most people advise that if you want to do computer recording, you should have a dedicated computer, that you don't surf web, game, and install funky stuff on)

-has pretty killer effects built in, no messin with plugins

-sometimes easier for people that aren't computor savy, and don't know what IRQs, ASIO drivers, device conflicts, latency glitches are, and don't care to find out

-no PC fan noise picked up by your sensitive LCD mics. This one is only an issue until you solve it <(c;


All that said, I am going to sell my Roland in the next couple of months in replace it with a Tascam 428. I do plan to dedicate a computer to it, with 2 harddrives: 1 for system/apps, 1 data (music)- people recommend this because of both HD access time, and isolating any system drive crashes from messing up your music. I have a network, so I'll be able to share 1 burner for both of my boxes.

Anyway, that's my view of it. Do a search, there are lots of threads here that touch on it. Also check out the VS planet for more info on the Roland units.
 
I was in a position very similar to yours about six months ago. I picked up an iBook (similar to the one you're considering), and an MBox (approx. $400), then bought some mics, cables, etc.

All said and done, for about $2k, I was doing pretty well. Since you're recording just yourself (and maybe a friend), the two inputs on the MBox should be enough...and I don't think you can go wrong with Pro Tools - though there are quite a few here who'd disagree.

I now use a Digi-002, and still love the Pro Tools environment.

Bottom line: my experience with the iBook and an MBox was fantastic...and I even used the internal hard drive. I still use the MBox and iBook combo for recordings away from the studio.

It wasn't until I acquired a desktop that I actually bought an external drive. I'd say you'll be good to go with the internal for a while: save some bucks and buy a nice condenser mic or two. :)
 
damn deval- that was a biggin!- wher to start- ok here we go

stand alones are fine for portablity but the learning curve is a bitch- computer based is way easier (i think) because its all out on the screen for ya- no scrolling menu bull shit- i had a yamaha md8 minidisc for 2 years and never learned how to use it- most stand alones under a grand may record 8 sim tracks but only have 2 mic pres- wtf- you gonna record 6 keyboards with that- thats where the mixer comes in- most people buy a mixer because they need the mic preamps- plus you get some additional signal routing flexibility- it sounds like your music teacher isnt a computer fan- if you really hate computers and you feel that you are totally inept and will remain that way- then i can see wanting to skip the puter- but if you know how to use a computer and you like em- then they can be far superior cost to performance wise (but not necesarily)- as far as upgrades are concerned if you outgrow your standalone- out the door it goes whereas computers are easily upgradeable (even if you dont know that much about computers- you're goin to college and as long as youre not a complete social deviant im sure you'll make friends with someone who knows more about puters than you- thats a good thing)

big breath- new paragraph....
- out board effects really arnt necesary with puter based- pretty much any outboard in your (read: our) price range wont be any better than what your softrware will give ya- so might as well use your software- or get plug-ins if you feel something is really lacking

- the tascam youre look at only does 2 tracks at a time- if youre getting a new puter- get one with firewire or usb 2.0: more bandwidth = more simultaneous tracks. so you can get something thats give you more tracks when you get more mics and more complex in your endevours.

- the external hard drive is great if your doin a shit load of tracks per session and you got a ton of sessions goin on in any given day week month whatever- but you could just get a cd burner to back up your goods or put em on cd-rws to revisit later- your gonna want a burner anyway to mix down your creations for the car player and the masses- point is if its just you and a few buds and your not doin this for a living- the external seperate drive is probably not nesecary just yet- maybe later- by the way- that costs extra with most stand alones

- check out the mic forum for your last question- that mic needs phantom power (as all condensors small and large do) and your tascam doesnt seem to have it- i think thats more of a vocal application mic- small diaphrams seem to end up on accustic instrumens and drums- id definalty look into an sm 57 also- indespensible

keep readin garound here and askin questions- remeber too- you gotta start somewher- so the ability to upgrade is (whether you like it or not) gonna be very important- so i guess im sayin- id go the computer route

-jeff
 
thank you all, again

Thank you all again. I'm really digging this message board; you all really help newbies like me get a firm grasp on what equipment to start off with.

I'll keep you all posted on what I'll be getting. Hopefully, by the end of June/early July, I'll have a setup, and maybe I can take a picture and post it here.

Thanks, again!
 
kremitmusic said:

- the tascam youre look at only does 2 tracks at a time- if youre getting a new puter- get one with firewire or usb 2.0: more bandwidth = more simultaneous tracks. so you can get something thats give you more tracks when you get more mics and more complex in your endevours.
Click to expand...

A couple of comments/corrections

The Tascam 428 does 4 tracks at a time. It only has 2 XLRs though (interchanged with 2 TRSs, if I understand correctly), and 2 unbalanced inputs.

I haven't seen anyone that supports USB 2.0 for an audio interface and don't think it's very likely since firewire is out now. USB1 can handle 6 tracks at a time 4 in 2 out works for the Tascam, and the USB omnistudio, according everything I've read on their sites.

Firewire audio interfaces are still pretty expensive, I haven't seen one for less than about $600 for just 2 channels (firestation, or maudio 410). The new Tascam 1884 looks pretty freakin cool and it does up to 18 tracks (some are lightpipe or spdif in though, I don't know how many actual analog ins) but it's like $1600.

Still if you are getting a new laptop, you should definitly try for one with firewire because it will get cheaper soon. I think all the new Mac laptops have firewire ports.
 
That new Edirol unit looks cool, but it doesn't look like it's out yet. I did a little searching and I couldn't find one for sale at their dealers. I wonder how much it will be going for... If I had to guess I'd say $800+?

I didn't realize that USB2 is faster than firewire until now, for some reason I though firewire was faster. Maybe some other manufacturers will go USB2...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top