Can anyone recommend a good multitrack recorder?

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loudyouth

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I'm looking for a Multi-Track recorder with 8-16 inputs. I want something with USB 2.0 capability so I can transfer the individual tracks onto a DAW.

Thank you.
 
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Are you looking for 8-16 track simultaneous recording or just 8-16 inputs ?
Here are some start points.
 
I'm looking for a recorder that simultaneously records at least 8 XLR inputs with phantom power so they can be transferred as individual WAV files onto a computer for editing in a DAW recording software.

Sorry, I hope that makes more sense
 
Your DAW can do that if you have a mixer and/or the right interface. Is portability an issue?


lou
 
I have a Yamaha AW1600 and love it! Better than the Zoom MRS1044 that I had. I had 2 Zoom recorders.
Yamaha AW1600 has the usb2 to connect. Figure and extra $100 or so to add the usb port to the Zoom. Unless they come standard on the Zoom machines now. Be carefull and check to see if the machine you are interested in has the usb.
Alot don't.
 
r4m said:
I have a Yamaha AW1600 and love it! Better than the Zoom MRS1044 that I had. I had 2 Zoom recorders.
Yamaha AW1600 has the usb2 to connect. Figure and extra $100 or so to add the usb port to the Zoom. Unless they come standard on the Zoom machines now. Be carefull and check to see if the machine you are interested in has the usb.
Alot don't.
Click to expand...

Both the R16 and the R24 now have USB ports.
Great point on others though r4m









:cool:
 
Bang for buck, the R24 is hard to beat. Most multitracks only download recorded tracks to your DAW. The Zoom can do that, *or* it can record direct to the computer, and is compatible with most recording software. It records up to 8 tracks simultaneously, has 8 XLR/1/4" combo inputs, 6 of them with 24V or 48V phantom power, including one that can be configured for high-z (a direct guitar/bass input). It also has built in stereo mics, and can run on batteries. It has extensive FX, modeling, and sampling capabilities. That's the good news. Here is what I consider it's biggest limitation: It can only do all of that in 16bit/44.1 kHz. It *can* record in 24bit/48kHz, but if it does, it's a stereo recorder- only 2 tracks simultaneous recording, and you can't use all of that FX, modeling, and sampling. Considering its price, and its other capabilities, that's a reasonable trade-off. Pretty much, name any other machine that comes even close in capabilities, and it will cost a lot more, and I can rattle off a good sized list of the things the Zoom does that it *can't* do.

From the little H4n, to the R16, to their bigger brother, the R24, this line of recorders represents a new concept in portable recording devices, which can act as self-contained, battery-powered standalone recorders with removable media, *or* as computer controllers, using the DAW of your choice. The only things I wish they had are a built in CD-R drive, and global 24 bit recording capability. Best of luck-Richie
 
Options other than Zoom.

Korg D3200 - 12 simultaneous records, 16 tracks @ 24-bit, 32 tracks @ 16-bit. Has been discontinued by Korg but is still listed in the musicians freind catalog. I have one and love it. USB might be USB 1 though.

Tascam 2488 neo - 8 simultaneous records, says 24 tracks @ 24-bit, but 13-24 are linked as stereo. Not IMO the equal of the 3200 in terms of constuction and operation, but priced ridiculously low right now at musicians friend:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-2488neo-24Track-Digital-Recording-Portastudio?sku=500689

The price at that link could be a mistake, or an indication that the box to be discontintinued as so many standalones have been. The dark side is winning.
 
I agree that that is a great price on the Neo, which does have advantages over the R16.

Advantages: 24 bit recording, built in CD-R

Disadvantages: Doesn't run on batteries. No removable media (when the hard drive's full, you have to back something up and delete it). No built in mics. Can't be used as a control surface.

I consider the 2 machines comparable. It just depends on what your priorities are. Thanks for the link.-Richie
 
Oancient1 said:
Korg D3200 - USB might be USB 1 though.
Click to expand...

I was curious so I just checked... it's USB 2.0

Does anyone make machines bigger than 16 tracks that have a fader for each single track... no stereo pairs, no switching between channel groups?

Would drive me nuts I think...
 
Thanks! I can always count on the members of this forum to help me out!

Zoom R16 seems promising other than the fact that it's 16-bit (as listed above, thanks!) However it would only be used for demos, rehearsals, and non-full length releases. I wish it had on board EQs though. The price is great too. I'm leaning towards buying this console.

TASCAM 2488 is all I need except for it only having four XLR inputs

Yamaha AW1600 is great but unfortunately out of my price range.

Korg D3200 - If only I had the money
 
check out the Tascam US1641. USB 2.0 8 XLR's with phantom power and another 8 line in's (2 low Z) Sweetwater has them for $260 I think. nice rig for short $$ (make sure you download the latest driver)
 
Actually I have a question about Zoom R24. Can you can record 8 inputs, three times and have 24 different instruments on seperate tracks when synced to a DAW?

I realized this may be wishful thinking...
 
mixinstrings said:
check out the Tascam US1641. USB 2.0 8 XLR's with phantom power and another 8 line in's (2 low Z) Sweetwater has them for $260 I think. nice rig for short $$ (make sure you download the latest driver)
Click to expand...


Hey! I was considering that but I want something portable that doesn't need to be connected to a computer.
 
loudyouth said:
Thanks! I can always count on the members of this forum to help me out!

Zoom R16 seems promising other than the fact that it's 16-bit (as listed above, thanks!) However it would only be used for demos, rehearsals, and non-full length releases. I wish it had on board EQs though. The price is great too. I'm leaning towards buying this console.

TASCAM 2488 is all I need except for it only having four XLR inputs

Yamaha AW1600 is great but unfortunately out of my price range.

Korg D3200 - If only I had the money
Click to expand...

It does just not on the control surface.







:cool:
 
loudyouth said:
Actually I have a question about Zoom R24. Can you can record 8 inputs, three times and have 24 different instruments on seperate tracks when synced to a DAW?

I realized this may be wishful thinking...
Click to expand...

I believe that you can do that. :D







:cool:
 
loudyouth said:
Yamaha AW1600 is great but unfortunately out of my price range.

Korg D3200 - If only I had the money
Click to expand...

Just for a bit of historical perspective... I have owned a Yamaha AW4416 for, I guess, almost 10 years... still a great machine, but in light of technological advancements, limted these days.

It cost me a snip over $5000 Aus dollars at the time - a significant investment - probably about 10% of my pretax annual wage at the time... and the start of spending much much more on pres, mics, instruments etc.. it all cost me a fortune over the next couple of years.

I just found the Korg 3200 at a local shop for $2299... which is less than a decent acoustic guitar... unbelievable...

So if you think it's expensive now... imagine what it was like 10 years back! :D

BTW - everything's more expensive in Aus if you think the prices are high..
 
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