Boss BR-1600 tutorial

[FretlessBass]

I just purchased my BR-1600 CD. This machine seems to be truly impressive. It's loaded with so many features, that it is, quite frankly, overwhelming. And I can barely go more than a half dozen pages in the manual before going cross-eyed.
I know Roland has a "video owners manual" for sale (which really seems a crock after paying $1400 for this unit), but I have the suspicion that it will be just as hard to keep up with as reading the manual. Does anyone know of any user friendly tutorials out there aimed at the BR-1600? Or, am I wrong about the Roland video? Would you recommend it?

 

[Gorty]

I just purchased my BR-1600 CD. This machine seems to be truly impressive. It's loaded with so many features, that it is, quite frankly, overwhelming. And I can barely go more than a half dozen pages in the manual before going cross-eyed.
I know Roland has a "video owners manual" for sale (which really seems a crock after paying $1400 for this unit), but I have the suspicion that it will be just as hard to keep up with as reading the manual. Does anyone know of any user friendly tutorials out there aimed at the BR-1600? Or, am I wrong about the Roland video? Would you recommend it?

Hey FretlessBass,

When you bought the Boss 1600 did you get the Main manual which is the thick book style and the Quick Starters guide which is the same size but only about 30 pages.

If you did, to get started just use the thinner version so you can lay some tracks down and get used to using the unit. Then as you progress use the main manual to steer yourself through the features of the Boss 1600.

If you click on "Hear Gorty's Tunes Here" at the bottom of my post and go to the music page and listen to "Hyperactive Wah Wah", that tune was recorded completely using the Boss 1600 CDR.

Gorty

 

[FretlessBass]

Thanks Gorty!
Actually, the secondary manual led to the final frustration. I had read up to the section on selecting the drum patch, and after going back and forth thru that manual as well as the main and not finding the patch list...I momentarily gave up. I finally found the patch list here on my desk buried under some other papers...another booklet all of it's own.
I'll spend some time with it this weekend and we'll see how far I get. I've been using Cubase, Power Tracks, Sonar, etc., through the years. I hope I will grasp it fairly quick. The smaller display area compared to the PC monitor has me spooked a little bit, but I needed a good portable recorder and this looks like it is as good as it gets.
Cool tunes, by the way! Pentatonical has a smooth haunting air about it.

 

[Gorty]

Thanks Gorty!
Actually, the secondary manual led to the final frustration. I had read up to the section on selecting the drum patch, and after going back and forth thru that manual as well as the main and not finding the patch list...I momentarily gave up. I finally found the patch list here on my desk buried under some other papers...another booklet all of it's own.
I'll spend some time with it this weekend and we'll see how far I get. I've been using Cubase, Power Tracks, Sonar, etc., through the years. I hope I will grasp it fairly quick. The smaller display area compared to the PC monitor has me spooked a little bit, but I needed a good portable recorder and this looks like it is as good as it gets.
Cool tunes, by the way! Pentatonical has a smooth haunting air about it.

Hey FretlessBass,

It's always good to read as much as you can, which I did, but getting in there and learning on the fly can be really helpful, it is sometimes so much easier to do or work out what to do than the manual implies.

Thanx for listening to my tunes, be sure to let me hear some of your efforts with the Boss 1600. It really is a great machine! I love mine!

Gorty

 

[FunkDaddy]

Hey Gorty, really nice tune on the "Hyperactive Wah Wah" track. I'm curious as to what your recording setup is? I really like the mix you got, I'm using the BR1600 but still struggling with mixes that translate to mp3. Here's a link to some of my tunes if you wanna check them out...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=177697

I dunno...with the exception of one mix I was really happy with ("Mean It Like You Say It") I seem to end up with really thin, small mixes.

 

[Gorty]

Hey Gorty, really nice tune on the "Hyperactive Wah Wah" track. I'm curious as to what your recording setup is? I really like the mix you got, I'm using the BR1600 but still struggling with mixes that translate to mp3. Here's a link to some of my tunes if you wanna check them out...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=177697

I dunno...with the exception of one mix I was really happy with ("Mean It Like You Say It") I seem to end up with really thin, small mixes.

Hey FunkDaddy,

I had a listen to your tunes up to and including "Mean it Like You Say IT".

Just a few (stupid questions, as I listened on my PC speakers), have you been recording bass tracks along with your guitar tracks? I couldn't hear the bass!
Do you use the Mastering patch after you mixdown?

I just wanted to know these before I try to offer any constructive advice!

I quite like the arrangement and guitar tone on "Mean It Like You Say It"

 

[FunkDaddy]

I record bass but through the bass simulator with my Strat. I use the Mastering processor as well on all my tracks but it only ever seems to help a little bit.

 

[Gorty]

I record bass but through the bass simulator with my Strat. I use the Mastering processor as well on all my tracks but it only ever seems to help a little bit.

Just try adding a little reverb and chorus etc to your guitar tracks and pan the guitars (record 2 seperate guitars) hard left and hard right. Maybe add a little more bottom end in your tracks!

Just a couple of suggestions!

You can edit/program the Mastering patches as well, I use the Mix Down Mastering patch and usually just change the eq settings and Bass cut/ boost levels to suit!


Also when you Mixdown and Master make sure your levels are right up around/or as close to as possible to the "O" level on your meter, this is a must to get the most benefits from the Mastering process on the Boss1600CDR.

Kev

 

[FretlessBass]

Hi Gorty,
I did get a chance to fire up the recorder over the weekend. I am impressed with the sound quality. Especially how smooth my bass sounded with the built in amp patch. My V-drum kit really sounded great, too. Now, if I can just remember how to play six string...I'll be in business.
I had hoped to find a lead in "click" that I could set for a couple of measures before the recording actually starts, but it doesn't seem to be an included feature. I saw where others (and you too, I believe) have posted about just having a measure or two empty to get in groove with the drum track / metronome...and I guess I will do the same.

 

[Dumby]

I just purchased my BR-1600 CD. This machine seems to be truly impressive. It's loaded with so many features, that it is, quite frankly, overwhelming. And I can barely go more than a half dozen pages in the manual before going cross-eyed.
I know Roland has a "video owners manual" for sale (which really seems a crock after paying $1400 for this unit), but I have the suspicion that it will be just as hard to keep up with as reading the manual. Does anyone know of any user friendly tutorials out there aimed at the BR-1600? Or, am I wrong about the Roland video? Would you recommend it?

I bought the Quick Guide for the BR1180 by Hal Leonard publishing and it helps out at first for sure...alot of the info in it may seem basic once you know what you're doing but is a great help at first....I still use it the odd time for references to whatever

 

[Dumby]

Hey Fretless

Hi Gorty,
I did get a chance to fire up the recorder over the weekend. I am impressed with the sound quality. Especially how smooth my bass sounded with the built in amp patch. My V-drum kit really sounded great, too. Now, if I can just remember how to play six string...I'll be in business.
I had hoped to find a lead in "click" that I could set for a couple of measures before the recording actually starts, but it doesn't seem to be an included feature. I saw where others (and you too, I believe) have posted about just having a measure or two empty to get in groove with the drum track / metronome...and I guess I will do the same.

What V-Drum kit are you using?