Bout to spend a grand on some big blue thing

[KonradG]

Im planning on buying a 16 track touch screen korg recorder w/ a burner in it. I was wondering if anyone has used these before, if so is it a better deal than tryin to set up a computer interface if i dont have a large budget?
I already have:
Cool edit
Computer
all the music instruments

I would prob need a sound card and a mixer if i went through the computer

help before i buy this big thing and i find out that its best feature is that you can play solitaire on the sumbitch. thanks,
Konrad

 

[firby]

I spent nearly 2k on a akai dps that does the same thing. Here is how it works. You buy the all in one box and it is really fricking easy to work with. Then you go to edit your material. Then you are like fuck! editing on this freakin little blue box sucks, so you are like. Damnit! Then you try to use the efx on the little box and they suck too. So you are like fuck. Then you get stuff for your computer and you stand in front of your monitor with your guitar buzzing like a motherfucker and you are like fuck!

It goes something like that. Recording on one of those things rocks but editing on it sucks and the efx are always wack compared to plugins on your computer. My next step is just an automated, motorized mixing interface for my computer.

 

[KonradG]

I spent nearly 2k on a akai dps that does the same thing. Here is how it works. You buy the all in one box and it is really fricking easy to work with. Then you go to edit your material. Then you are like fuck! editing on this freakin little blue box sucks, so you are like. Damnit! Then you try to use the efx on the little box and they suck too. So you are like fuck. Then you get stuff for your computer and you stand in front of your monitor with your guitar buzzing like a motherfucker and you are like fuck!

It goes something like that. Recording on one of those things rocks but editing on it sucks and the efx are always wack compared to plugins on your computer. My next step is just an automated, motorized mixing interface for my computer.

I think you just had an epiphany of the home recording musician. You just explained the exact thought process of my mind when im trying to record. If you arent on the dot you are damn close, i can tell my all the "fuck"'s you use.

 

[Atterion]

well firby is more or less on target there. To your question: Haven't personally used one but I hear they are extremely noisey units.

 

[Rickson Gracie]

if u have a decent computer...put that 1K towards a digidesign 002R (or something similar) iit comes with pro tools, quality preamps...etc. i couldnt imagine losing the ability to edit on a nice big color computer screen.

 

[baumer]

I bought a Korg D1600 mkII, which is, I assume, what you're talking about (Its big and blue). Overall I've been impressed with it, and to the end I'm using it, it is serving its purpose.
That purpose being tracking remotely with mixdown/editing on the computer. You will be able to mix/edit with what you have now, since the Korg has USB connectivity that you can use without an expensive soundcard / breakout box. The pre's in the Korg are very picky, and even more so in 16bit mode. You will need to find their sweet spot with condenser mics for sure.
However, if mobility is not a primary concern, then you should look into a soundcard/breakout box option. If your CPU/RAM/HD combo is sufficient (mine is 2.1 Ghz P4, 1G, 160GB) then I'd definitely recommend that route. You could get a Firepod which comes bundled with software thats got more functionality than cool edit. The remaining $400 affords you some creative options - like an additional mic pre or compressor or even a new mic.
While I don't think you'd be disappointed by the Korg, the all-in-one approach of the machine sacrifices some features and is most useful if you're going to take it out of your studio.
Plus it doesnt fit in a rack case, it's a !huge! bitch!

 

[baumer]

And if you're worried about the buzzing from single coil pickups near the computer, then buy a flat panel LCD which will help alot. In fact, thats what you could spend that $400 you'd be saving by going with a A/D breakout interface!

 

[Chibi Nappa]

If it helps at all I bought a Roland 2480 years ago and I still love it to death. Editing is not as easy as on a PC, but easy enough. The effects sound great and the dynamics are useful.

 

[LRosario]

Plus side is the 16 track is dedicated hardware, meaning it only has one purpose...to record. Downside is, it's probably not as linear or flexible as a computer interface would be.