Digital novice shoppin' for a DAW

[suproboy]

After using my TASCAM 424 MKIII for the last year I've decided to upgrade to a DAW. I don't neccessarily need a lot more tracks-I even may stick with four-track. My priorities are sound quality, ease of use (I'm a hopeless luddite, but are ALL manuals translated from Tibetan manuscripts by Roumanian office temps? Why isn't there a masters degree program in manual writing?) and price. I think I can swing 500 bucks, maybe a bit more if I lie to my wife. I've come close to, pulling the trigger with TASCAM US-428 & 788 on Ebay, as well as FOSTEX VF80. If I had the dough I'd go for a VF160 or Yamaha AW16G. My mics at present are an SM57, a couple of SM58s, and a Rode NT3 for recording acoustic guitar, and I'm thinkin' about a Studio Projects C1. I use a Presonus bluetube mic pre, but will probably upgrade that soon. I don't have an outboard compressor. I'm recording vocals, acoustic & electric guitars throgh various effects boxes, mandola, accordion & various rythmic thingies. Any suggestions for a linear-logic-impaired, technology-hating old curmudgeon ?

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo "Up, Up, and AWAY:]

If you upgrade, you have many good choices. However, get an 8 tracker minimum. Most home recording folks don't need more than 8 tracks but going up to a more professional status might require one of the 16 trackers.

I have a 16 tracker but seldom use more than 8 tracks -- no bouncing.

There are lots of good deals on DAWS out there and there will probably be even better deals after Xmas is done. So, you might want to wait until the first of the year and then start shopping and comparing prices.

I use the Yam 2816, as well as a MD8 but the Yam has much better sound. Also, I like the CDRW built in; everything is right there in one box and, although you need a USP reserve power supply, it's still worth it. So, shop around and compare and get as many hands on as you can then....help keep the economy going.

Green Hornet