DAW vs. Digital multitrack

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BBlack

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I've been using Logic Pro on my Macbook Pro for a while now, and I really enjoy using it. But, I'm considering selling my computer, and that would mean no more recording, so I'd have to look into a digital multitrack. I've never used one, mainly because they seemed to difficult to use to work on the kind of music that I make. It's fairly complicated music that, when using a DAW like Logic, I can arrange easily just by recording small sections and manipulating their order and timing and adding automations and such, but I'm worried that if I started using a multitrack recorder, it wouldn't be nearly as visual and would be way to difficult to do the same thing as I did with Logic. What do you guys think? Are the two that much different? Would I have a difficult time switching over?

Thanks
 
IMHO, a multitrack recorder can record just as well as a DAW, but it is very limited in editing capability compared to a DAW. The multitrack will let you get great takes, do some punch in/out stuff and some modest rearranging. But for deep editing like you mention, most multitrack owners would stll pull the recorded tracks into a DAW.
 
having a laptop as well as your main PC means that there is nothing a DAW can do that a standalone cant...There is plenty a standalone cant do that a DAW can though

And after speaking to a few guys doing projects on standalones I cant see why anyone wouldnt move to software now..I have a small standalone but its just for sketching, not having a visual aid when it comes to editing and automating would drive me nuts if it were my only option
 
Hey,

On my part, I say that nowadays, one cant really do without a DAW....DEPENDING ON THE GOALS, EXPECTATIONS AND USAGE. On one end of the spectrrum, you may have this guy who simply needs a recorder to build his songs as inspiration comes in. As the song is building up, that guy may want to multitrack it very simply, without fancy editing and burn it as a WAV song onto a CD that he'll be happy to listen to in his car or hand out to his folks, kinda thing. Even if it's just to produce a simple backing track for his live performance with his acoustic guitar.
On the other end of the spectrum, this guy who's into fancy music and songs and arrangments, fancy editing and all that.....this guy REALLY can't live without a DAW.

As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats the mix of the two. I need the simplicity and portability of the standalone multitrack. It's my field weapon/tool. And the refinery is my DAW.

Maybe it's just me, but to many mouse clics, and menus and sound possibilities remove inspiration when I'm with my axe in my hands.

Enjoy !
Stef
 
A porta would definitely be less visual than a DAW. Lots of flipping through menus on a tiny LCD screen to do things you can do by pointing and clicking in a DAW. But it can be done.

I prefer portas because everything is perfectly integrated. The audio interface, control surface, recording media, and software are all right there in one box, custom-designed to work together and ready to go as soon as you turn it on.
 
I use both, exactly as suggested by Washburn100. I use a DPS16 for multitrack live recordings in the field and then dump the files into my DAW at home. I rely on visual as well as audio cues when editing, plus I have severe vision problems. Teeny tiny LCD screens just do not work for me. So the best I can think of is a setup I'm considering getting myself - an AKAI DPS24. It will work well as a standalone unit, but its ability to interface with a computer makes it ideal as part of a system. Even though it is no longer in production and therefore available only as a used unit, the used units are still the best portables on the market by a long shot. If you're careful, you can snag one from ebay for about a thousand bucks, sometimes a little less. Usually you're looking at about 1700 for a machine that retailed at about $5K not too long ago. Lots of substance there and there is a pretty active users group. Do a google search for DPS24 and you'll find all kinds of stuff.
 
I use both too.
I record with the Korg D3200 with a hook up to a VGA screen then transfer the files over to Mixcraft on the PC.
Never a glitch when recording and easy, peasy with the software for editing.
 
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