Computer recording vs. hard disk recorders

[Ricklh]

I'm thinking of scrapping computer recording and getting a Korg D1200 12-track hard disk recorder. Wouldn't it be much easier to record on a DAW instead of computer, as far as the logistics of holding a guitar and working controls, software freezing up, and all that crap? Your opinions on one form vs. the other? And does anyone here use the Korg unit I mentioned?

 

[billisa]

a few thoughts... quite a few...

Take this from a guy who's done major market radio and TV, and is used to analogue... I am intensely trying to make a final decision, similar to yours, though my needs may be different. What comes across to me is recording on a PC would be great if there didn't seem to be so much uncertainty on what configuration will actually work. Since I don't have $$$$$ to spend, I can't work through problems just by throwing out more cash. Editing with a waveform display and a mouse would be great for me, and PC recording seems to offer so much potential and flexibility. I'd thought of getting a refurb P3 IBM laptop and going from there, with the new TASCAM 424, but I get no confidence that this would work -- no one seems to know.

THEREFORE.... with a standalone unit, from Fostex, Tascam, Korg, the compatability issues seem taken care of. It's just a matter of making sure the features you need are there. Frankly, I'm hoping to bypass my PC altogether -- getting a unit that comes with a burner.

Now, others on this forum know WAY MORE than me, so take what I've said with a huge grain of salt. Right now, it seems there's a wealth of great technology out there, but a huge amount of confusion too. Good luck.

 

[Basslord1124]

I haven't messed with the idea of PC recording too much (I'm in the process of building a PC to record on) but in the mean time I've experimented around with wav editors and other audio software. Basically just tinkered around with PC recording, nothing serious yet. Some of the advantages of PC recording compared to the smaller hard disk recorders are:

1) hard disk space-most hard disk recorders don't appear to hold as much audio whereas computers have much larger hard disks that hold more audio.
2) learning curve-while pc recording has a decent learning curve, I don't feel they're as bad as the learning curve on the standalone recorders. With those it's like hold shift, push this button twice, and smack your ass to arm a track. Not something I feel like learning how to use.
3) screen size-I would rather look at a 15" (or larger) detailed color screen than a 2" by 5" dot matrix screen that's not well lit. And even the standalone recorders that do offer color screens are upwards of up to 2 grand...you can build a decent computer for much less than 2 grand.
4) CD Burners-most CD Burners on a standalone recorder are $200-$300 (some even more)...You can pick up a CD Burner for a PC for $50.
5) Features-I feel you can do a lot more with effects and the like with a PC compared to a standalone recorder.
6) Speed-much quicker to point and click on a PC rather than navigate through menus by a couple buttons using a standalone unit.

I think the only thing that standalone recorders have going for them is size/portability. In fact, some people actually record with a standalone and then transfer the music digitally to the computer for editting, etc. I haven't had any problems with software freezing on PC's or anything like that...not sure about everyone else though. I'd definitely prefer a PC over a standalone unit...but that's me.

 

[shackrock]

before i made my decision, i think i mainly was thinking of the money i had to spend, and how serious i would be getting with all this.

to begin with, i had no money.. haha. so i used an old comp that was in a closet to get started....learn the software, styles, how to mix, just the basics.

it was extremely easy to learn the HOW (ntrack)- but to make it good was of course another story.


anyway, i'm still in highschool so i when summer came along i worked my 40 hour weeks, bought a computer, some mix, and a shitt mixer (behringer 802a).... i'm still working with all that, now with a delta 44...and things are just getting better and better.
i'm still using ntrack.


however, TONS of trial and error, etc. etc. - to get this stuff to work. biggest problem was NTRACK - but here's your first tip:

if it works with no crashing, never update anything. if you do update, be sure to set a system recall point!!!!! hahaah.

anyway, i went with the comp for ME because:
1 - so many options, burner easily available and cheap.
2 - sooooooooo many options!!!!!!
3 - can take the comp to college! haha.
4 - with a standalone HD recorder, its a thousand bucks and all it does is record, with 1000 bucks you can get a computer, a mixer, some mics - and still use your comp to surf the net/play games/instant message/etc. etc. but which sounds better? depends on how you stack your PC.



i guess thats it, dont know if it helps you at all, but somethin to think about i guess.

 

[PeteHalo]

I decided to take the best of both world.

I use my Fostex VF16 multitracker along with a Fostex VM88 digital mixer for recording up to 16 tracks at once. This combo gives me 6 channels with mic pres, XLR inputs and phantom power, 6 with mic pres and 1/4" inputs and 4 line level inputs. After I have all the tracks on VF16 I transfer them over to Cubase using Adat lightpipe. In my computer I have two cards, a Terratec EWS88D card with digital spdif and adat interfaces that I use for recording and an older Yamaha DSP Factory mixer card that I use at mixdown for dynamics, eq and reverbs. The Yamaha card has total of 24 input channels each one having 4 band fully parametric eq and dynamic processor with comp, gate, expander an couple of other functions. There's also two effetcs processors of REV500 quality onboard. The DSPF and the EWS88D are connected together using spdif connections and the EWS88D acts as the timing master to both the DSPF and the VF16 and keeps everything neatly in sync.

The DSPF looks to Cubase as 8 stereo outputs and at mixdown I route each of the Cubase channels to different DSPF channel and use the card's eqs and dynamics instead of Cubase's own and save the valuable CPU time for other effects plugins. From the DSPF spdif output the stereo signal goes to EWS88D and using it's mixer the signal coming thru the SPDIF input is routed out of a pair of channels of adat lightpipe out to VF16. Now there's still 3 stereo outputs of EWS88D that can be used for routing signals from other software for exaple software instruments. The VF16 acts here as the external mixer that I can mix those 4 stereo channels coming from computer thru adat to 8 channels of audio coming from external gear thru VF16's analog inputs.

This is something I'd call a ultimate mobile home studio setup with minimal gear. The harware excl. the PC costs some where around $1200.

 

[StevaReno]

rick,

i feel your pain but stick with it!
i was in the same situation-- i was ready to go and get the
alesis hd24- and it's still a nice piece of equipment but
it doesn't fit the flexability i was looking for

and that's what it come's down to--what are you trying to do?

pc recording is fine you just need a pc for recording--nothing else!

you can't beat the flexibility of it
i.e..fx,mixing,# of tracks,expandability,editing--especially editing

once you do a little research at this site you should get a better
view of what you need for pc recording
also this site will help you sort your needs too!

hang in there!

steve

 

[regebro]

Wouldn't it be much easier to record on a DAW instead of computer, as far as the logistics of holding a guitar and working controls, software freezing up, and all that crap?

I think so. But as metioned many times, it's a matter of taste/ideology/religion.