Decent 16-track harddisk recorder?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Giganova
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Giganova

Giganova

gimmi your mic!
hiya,

I needed a decent 16-track hard disk recorder (no computer, no minidisk) on a budget of up to 1,500 buxx for my home studio. Doesn't need to have a built-in CD burner cuz I already have a professional dual-well CD recorder with optical inputs to master.
Any recommendations? Thanxx!
 
High!

I don't know anything about the US prices, but perhaps you should specifiy, whether you need a RECORDER only or a complete digital workstation. Otherwise you might end up with a lot of tips you don't need... :D

Ciao

Axel
 
Are you looking for a Rackmount recorder or a Tabletop ( All-in-one) recorder?

Do you already have a mixer?

Do you want 16-bit or 24-bit?
 
cat said:
Are you looking for a Rackmount recorder or a Tabletop ( All-in-one) recorder?

Do you already have a mixer?

Do you want 16-bit or 24-bit?
Click to expand...
Since I don't have a mixer (only a Yamaha MD8 MiniDisk recorder I want to replace), I was thinking of a table top multi-track recorder with mixer. I guess I should opt for 24bit to get pro audio quality, such as the Korg DS1600 -- but they are pretty expensive ($1500). I find the Fostex VF-1600 a great deal ($999 without CD writer) but it "only" has 16 bit. Is the difference between 16 and 24 bit dramatic? If I invest some buxxx for new gear I definitely want to get pro quality so I can master CDs or cut vinyls from my recordings. Any suggestions?
 
Seanmorse79 said:
Roland VS-1680 Workstation. Great unit. Here's one on ebay with a "buy it now" for $885
Click to expand...
Hi Seanmores! This unit is tempting, but it only has a 2.1Gbyte drive which is pretty useless. Seems to be pretty old :-(
 
24bits is a pretty dramatic improvement. I wouldn't get anything else If I wanted to hold on to the unit for a few years.
 
Me personally, I like the Yamaha AW4416. But its about $ 2400.

For around $ 1500, I would look at the Korg D-1600 or the Akai DPS 16.

I despise Roland products (too complicated & confusing) and I would only consider a rackmount recorder from Fostex.

But, thats just my opinion.
 
Giganova,

You can use any SCSI hard drive with it. You can pick up a fairly big SCSI drive these days for cheap (around a hundred bucks).

...just an option.
 
thanks for the advive, Seanmorse. I've also heard that you can put in Toshiba or IBM IDE drives from the computer store ($100 for a 20G drive).
 
I second the VS1680.....Pretty damn good starting point, and once you do decide at a later date to upgrade to PC, you can use it as your mixing desk / input. It is 24 bit, and has most of the bits and bobs you need.

I picked mine up (from the back of a lorry) for £1000 2 years ago......but since Roland upgraded to the 1880, and 2480, the prices have dropped considerably....

It has optical / coaxial digi ins and outs (I used to use it without a PC...and a pro-CD writer)

As for complicated, I agree, Roland do have a habit of making things difficult, but the VS is probably the least complicated piece of kit they ever produced...

I also use a SCSI Drive to back stuff up (damn bankrupt Ez-Flyer jobbie which I cant get disks for anymore......anyone got a ZIP drive for sale????? anyone?....)
 
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