First Dig Multitracker

  • Thread starter Thread starter ditnoj
  • Start date Start date
D

ditnoj

New member
Howdy,
I am looking for my first recorder. Don't want to use the 'puter cause of portability concerns.
I will be recording soundtracks for singers (using mostly a keyboard with occasionally added "live" guitar/bass or percussion), personal ideas, and misc projects such as music and voices for school musicals.
I am interested in a reasonable selection of on board effects and compatibility when it comes to storage, CD burning, the 'puter, etc.
What can ya tell me?
 
dit:
Well, of course being in the roland forum, we're all going to suggest you consider the VS units. So, I'll go beyond that and make a more specific suggestion. The recent release of the new VS 1880 (18 tracks) means that the previous model, the VS 1680 (16 tracks) might be found at a pretty good price on the used market. (I think most retailers have probably sold out their stock of the old 1680's by now?).

Before you assume 16 tracks is way overkill, I'd say consider the physical interface you'll be working with hour upon hour--the larger LCD screen of the 1680 is much easier to work with than any other self contained digital recording unit I've seen. And the 1680 offers higher quality recording options than the Roland 8-trackers (the "MTP" mode). These two features are the main reason I went with a 1680, rather than purely the number of available tracks.

Include 2 of the internal Roland effects boards in the 1680, and I think you have the most cost-effective and capable portable rig available. Those effects boards are *very* usable, in my experience, aprticularly as a starting point. And you keep everything in the digital domain at a reasonable price.

You mention school productions. My 1680 has the input and routing flexibility to do the live production mixes for stage work, while I simultaneously record to disc for future fund raising releases with the same unit. No muss, no fuss. A litle post-production work (using some of those 16 available tracks not recorded live), and my school clients are really thrilled with the production quality of the CDs they can sell to appreciative parents.

If you just can't see your way to 16 tracks, then the 880 is a fine machine also. But I think it's still a current model, so you won't be spotting quite the same discounts on it, I suspect. (And you'd be amazed how quickly you learn to *rely* on having all those 16 tracks at mixdown...).

Be aware that there is a killer digital recorder/mixer combo coming out from Yamaha at the end of the summer. But I don't think it is aimed (or priced) for an introductory type of market (24 tracks, I believe). There's also a new 8 track recorder from BOSS that's creating quite a stir which you should check out--it *is* aimed at an introductory consumer. Can't remember the model number right off hand...

Hope this helps?

[This message has been edited by rocky (edited 06-06-2000).]
 
Hey Rocky (watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Sorry...couldn't resist!)

Jammin'

Thanks for the info. Uh, those internal effects you mentioned are standard issue or "expansion" options?
 
Ah, yes, Bullwinkle...actually been a while since I heard that one. Rocky's response would be "...not again?", right? ;)

The effects board issue can be a dicey one. Apparently some slightly different rules have applied in different locations across the globe. In the US, the effects boards were generally sold as optional add-ons (the 1680 can use one or two of these).

But in other locations, I've heard of one EFX board being included as standard, with only the second as an expansion option.

So, the trick would be to make sure you carefully and specifically ask exactly what you're being quoted a price on. One other note: each of the two boards is a two-channel (or stereo) board for certain efx. So, don't think that a general description reading "stereo EFX board" means both board slots are populated. A full complement would be 2 stereo EFX boards. Confusing, huh?

This might be another way to consider keeping the 1680 price down: find a unit with just a single board, and buy an additional one later. If you go the 1680 route, I think you'll eventually want 2 boards, but you can get started just fine with one.
 
Maybe it's usefull to mention that the VS880EX recorder comes without options, because it's already very complete, and it has two effect processors on board.
But only 8 tracks can be recorded at the same time when you combine it with two digital inputs.
The 258 virtual tracks can be used, but at mixdown you can only acces 8 tracks.
 
Hi ditnoj...hi Rocky!!! thanks for the directions, I like this place.

If you go VS as your choice~
I'd suggest getting a used 1680 that has both boards already installed. The added FX boards won't usually raise the overall market value by more than just a tiny margine, so you'll get a great deal. On the other hand, buying just a VS8f2 brand new will be expensive, and finding a used one is somewhat rare. Also, for the same budgeting reasons, you'll be doing well to get a used package that includes the burner too! Overall, for price and performance this is your top option. The 880 is cool, I know because I used to have one, but the 1680 seems to be better for all the reasons that Rocky mentioned ( I would have enjoyed the improvements.)

Personally, I really like the Yamaha AW4416. From what little I've read online it's a slightly improved DAW to that of the VS's (in terms of specs,) but will cost more. Whether or not the actual differences justify the spread in cost is yet to be decided, and since the 1680 is a lot of studio for the small price tag, I'd say it's a pretty great bet.

:-)Phoenix
***************************************************************
"I've outdone anyone you can name -- Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Strauss. Irving Berlin, he wrote 1,001 tunes. I wrote 5,500."
~ James Brown ~
***************************************************************
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top