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docpaul
New member
I'm thinking of buying the yamaha 2816 for home studio use, and would like to get some opinions about this unit. Thanks.
T
The Green Hornet
New member
Yo Dr. Paul:
I enjoy my 2816; however, it takes a bit to get into the manual. If you are kind of computer savvy, or have had prior experience with multitrackers, it will help. The sound of the unit is very good.
So too, the 4416 and the newer lower priced AW16.
You will have to buy a UPS power supply if you buy a Yamaha unit. They don't advertise that information because it would, or could slow sales; I bought one for about 77 USD. What happens is if you lose power while recording, and it happens frequently around my home town, you can lose data -- not so bad -- however, you can screw up the HD -- that's bad.
My UPS unit will give me eleven minutes to shut down the 2816; it must be shut down according to directions given in the manual; however, Yamaha doesn't get to that fast enough in the manual. I read my manual for a month or so before I even turned on the unit. It only takes 25 seconds to shut down the unit -- just about like a PC.
Up to speed, I'm having fun with the unit. I have to be truthful and say I don't understand every inch of the unit; however, I've done some nice CD's. [The CD part of the manual is pretty clear. Other parts, are cloudy but can be worked out.
I would say that if you can get a demo at a vendor's place, it would give you a good insight on what you need to know how to do or, at least, lead you in the right decision.
It's a great unit. The 4416 and the newer AW16 are also good units.
Enjoy your choice.
Green Hornet
I enjoy my 2816; however, it takes a bit to get into the manual. If you are kind of computer savvy, or have had prior experience with multitrackers, it will help. The sound of the unit is very good.
So too, the 4416 and the newer lower priced AW16.
You will have to buy a UPS power supply if you buy a Yamaha unit. They don't advertise that information because it would, or could slow sales; I bought one for about 77 USD. What happens is if you lose power while recording, and it happens frequently around my home town, you can lose data -- not so bad -- however, you can screw up the HD -- that's bad.
My UPS unit will give me eleven minutes to shut down the 2816; it must be shut down according to directions given in the manual; however, Yamaha doesn't get to that fast enough in the manual. I read my manual for a month or so before I even turned on the unit. It only takes 25 seconds to shut down the unit -- just about like a PC.
Up to speed, I'm having fun with the unit. I have to be truthful and say I don't understand every inch of the unit; however, I've done some nice CD's. [The CD part of the manual is pretty clear. Other parts, are cloudy but can be worked out.
I would say that if you can get a demo at a vendor's place, it would give you a good insight on what you need to know how to do or, at least, lead you in the right decision.
It's a great unit. The 4416 and the newer AW16 are also good units.
Enjoy your choice.
Green Hornet
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PeteHalo
New member
Paul, what's the other gear you plan to use with the recorder?
It's important to know this in advance so you can decide which recorder integrates best to your other gear. I've had my Fostex Vf16 for 18 months and choosing the Fostex instead of Akai or Roland at that time turned out to be the best decision I've ever made. Thanks to its Adat interface I've been able to build a whole studio around it because it integrates easily to my computer DAW and because I can use external gear to be able to record 16 tracks at once which makes it easy to record live bands without worrying how to get all the instruments recorded at the same time. For example those lower end Yamahas cannot be used this way but if recording a live band is not what you need to do then they may have other qualities that make them better solution for your needs.
It all depends on what you are going to do and best advice I can give is to take your time to study and make the right decision and take everything you read in the ads with a grain of salt as the makers tend to exaggerate the capabilities of their gear. Just a couple of examples: 8 trackers can't record 8 tracks at once, 16 tracker has 12 real tracks 4 being inseparable stereo tracks, 16 tracker becomes 8 tracker when you use the best recording quality, 24 bit recorder records 17 bits of info and 7 bits of noise because the electronics are not of high enough quality. It's an information war out there.
It's important to know this in advance so you can decide which recorder integrates best to your other gear. I've had my Fostex Vf16 for 18 months and choosing the Fostex instead of Akai or Roland at that time turned out to be the best decision I've ever made. Thanks to its Adat interface I've been able to build a whole studio around it because it integrates easily to my computer DAW and because I can use external gear to be able to record 16 tracks at once which makes it easy to record live bands without worrying how to get all the instruments recorded at the same time. For example those lower end Yamahas cannot be used this way but if recording a live band is not what you need to do then they may have other qualities that make them better solution for your needs.
It all depends on what you are going to do and best advice I can give is to take your time to study and make the right decision and take everything you read in the ads with a grain of salt as the makers tend to exaggerate the capabilities of their gear. Just a couple of examples: 8 trackers can't record 8 tracks at once, 16 tracker has 12 real tracks 4 being inseparable stereo tracks, 16 tracker becomes 8 tracker when you use the best recording quality, 24 bit recorder records 17 bits of info and 7 bits of noise because the electronics are not of high enough quality. It's an information war out there.
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docpaul
New member
My setup will involve guitars recorded via mic, and I'll be using a Motif 8 I just purchased for keyboard sounds and hopefully percussion tracks/bass. I just bought some yamaha msp5 monitors. I've been researching home recording for several weeks now, trying to decide between pc recording or dedicated disk recorder. My gut feeling is to stay away from computer recording because i find it very tedious. At the end of the day I'm just looking to make cd's for myself, something that'll sound cool in my car. I don't anticipate ever recording more than one thing at a time. I really like yamaha products (owned several motorcycles); I've considered the Korg and the Roland but the yamaha seems a little more sophisticated than the Korg and I've heard of some reliability issues with the Roland units.
T
The Green Hornet
New member
Yo Doc:
I might also mention that when you accumulate several songs, or more, in the mixed stereo track, you can punch in one or all of them to burn your CDR or the CDRW on the Yam SIAB.
I like that feature. I guess other systems do the same thing. I burned 44 minutes a week ago while I was having a Martini.
I walked into the studio and the CD slot was open and all I had to do was finalize the CD, which takes about 20 seconds.
Green Hornet
The Yams also can do WAV files and a whole bunch more that I haven't got to yet.
I might also mention that when you accumulate several songs, or more, in the mixed stereo track, you can punch in one or all of them to burn your CDR or the CDRW on the Yam SIAB.
I like that feature. I guess other systems do the same thing. I burned 44 minutes a week ago while I was having a Martini.
I walked into the studio and the CD slot was open and all I had to do was finalize the CD, which takes about 20 seconds.
Green Hornet
The Yams also can do WAV files and a whole bunch more that I haven't got to yet.
muzeman
New member
Iv'e had a 2816 for a little over a year,I totally dig it.
It has been rock solid,and is very easy to use and navigate.
Nice large display also.
One of the best features for me is the mix automation.
Really helps when mastering a stereo track.
Motorized faders are a nice plus also.
I don't know what your budget is,but the 4416 is nice also.
Same unit as the 2816,but you get a full 16 faders,knobs to access dynamics,a sampler,inserts,and access to a keyboard for some funtions.
Some other features also,not sure what they are.
I record only myself,so the 2816 was enough.
Good luck,
Pete
It has been rock solid,and is very easy to use and navigate.
Nice large display also.
One of the best features for me is the mix automation.
Really helps when mastering a stereo track.
Motorized faders are a nice plus also.
I don't know what your budget is,but the 4416 is nice also.
Same unit as the 2816,but you get a full 16 faders,knobs to access dynamics,a sampler,inserts,and access to a keyboard for some funtions.
Some other features also,not sure what they are.
I record only myself,so the 2816 was enough.
Good luck,
Pete
H
HapiCmpur
New member
Hi Hornet. Where did you get your UPS for 77 bucks? I'm going to need one of those, too.The Green Hornet said:
T
The Green Hornet
New member
Yo Cmpur:
I got my Tripp-Lite UPS from Full Compass. You can call the 800 number. Ask for Heather Paske -- a nice gal that I've been doing business with for some time.
My unit gives me eleven minutes of power if the normal power goes out. That's plenty of time as it only takes a few seconds to shut down the 2816.
Of course if you want a longer back up of power, you have to pay more. That's the way it goes I guess.
The Tripp-Lite unit also runs a check on your power line. I just leave mine turned on. The unit I have has THREE plugs available for battery back up and two plugs for surge protection only.
As I recall the price was around 77 dollars give or take a buck or two.
Spring is coming I hope.
Green Hornet
I got my Tripp-Lite UPS from Full Compass. You can call the 800 number. Ask for Heather Paske -- a nice gal that I've been doing business with for some time.
My unit gives me eleven minutes of power if the normal power goes out. That's plenty of time as it only takes a few seconds to shut down the 2816.
Of course if you want a longer back up of power, you have to pay more. That's the way it goes I guess.
The Tripp-Lite unit also runs a check on your power line. I just leave mine turned on. The unit I have has THREE plugs available for battery back up and two plugs for surge protection only.
As I recall the price was around 77 dollars give or take a buck or two.
Spring is coming I hope.
Green Hornet