Digital Recorder

[commonman]

I have a MacBook Pro with Garage Band software and another really simple recording application called "Audacity." I can use my $30 USB/Audio Interface in conjunction with the my Tascam M-520 board to get sound into the computer, and get it recorded.

My question is, is there a dedicated digital recording device out there that might serve my purposes better? My purposes being to make simple 4 or 8 track recordings in my basement.

 

[grimtraveller]

My question is, is there a dedicated digital recording device out there that might serve my purposes better? My purposes being to make simple 4 or 8 track recordings in my basement.

Blimey, yeah ! There are tons. A quick question, would your preference be via the computer or a standalone type digital thing like the ones you'll find here ?

 

[emac]

I use a Fostex MR8HD. This unit is portable,easy to use, Inexpensive ($300) and holds plenty of memory. No latency to deal with, No sound card. You can download to Computer to audacity for Mastering.

 

[Bubba po]

I've bought a Boss BR-800 and I think it's superb. It comes bundled with Sonar LE DAW software, which I haven't got to grips with, yet. Highly recommended.

 

[Shadow_7]

Is that 8 simultaneous tracks. Or just 8 tracks after layering? Zoom H4n can do two tracks of input with two already recorded for 4 tracks. Zoom R16 and other options. Not that you'll be able to use your USB mic on those.

 

[Bubba po]

Is that 8 simultaneous tracks. Or just 8 tracks after layering? Zoom H4n can do two tracks of input with two already recorded for 4 tracks. Zoom R16 and other options. Not that you'll be able to use your USB mic on those.

It's four-track simultaneous recording per take. Tracks 5/6 and 7/8 are stereo channels controlled with a single fader.

 

[Shadow_7]

It's four-track simultaneous recording per take. Tracks 5/6 and 7/8 are stereo channels controlled with a single fader.

ONLY if you use the mics of the field recorder. With the orientation of the field recorder. Which is a pretty big limit for most goals and uses.

 

[Bubba po]

ONLY if you use the mics of the field recorder. With the orientation of the field recorder. Which is a pretty big limit for most goals and uses.

I think we're talking at cross-purposes, my friend. I'm talking about the Boss machine, which has four XLR inputs, directly recording to four tracks. I actually wish that the four-track record could be a combination of the onboard condensers plus two other mics, but it is not to be.

Still an awesome recorder, though.

 

[Shadow_7]

I was talking about the Zoom H4n...

 

[commonman]

I just need a 2 channel digital recorder. I had a Sony DAT at one time, which was great but now I find that these machines are breaking down due to the mechanical components and age. That's why I'm looking for something like a solid State Digital Audio recorder (2 channel). Whatever it is, it's got to be top quality. Any suggestions for such a 2 channel machine? I was recently looking at the Tascam ss-R05 but it's a little pricey and I'm not finding any on the used market for a good price.

 

[Shadow_7]

Do you already have most of the recording chain? mics, cables, preamps, ....

Do you need to multi-track?

What's the budget?

What's the goal / quality level. i.e. good enough or grammy nominee?

Lots of two channel devices out there. Not all of them multi-track, and many don't really offer options much beyond CD quality sampling rates, which is fine for most folks, but not for all purposes IMO. If you have most of the chain already, you can skimp a bit. i.e. The price difference between a Korg MR-1 and MR-1000. As an example, they don't multi-track, so probably not much use, barring special configurations.

M-Audio Mobile Pre is my low end option. Korg MR-1000 my high end one, with a few limits in functionality. That can be worked around via the long road. i.e. no multi-tracking on the high end one, but I can use it as a middle man on an interface that does. And a bit of editing hell to swap the content.

Solid state does have definite gains in terms of battery life. And life expectancy in rough condition, i.e. bumpy roads, and things that shake. But they do fail, the memory cards have limited writes and other woes. So you're not invincible per say. Just a bit cheaper to maintain since you can still get parts (for now anyway).