I am all confused...

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jblaven

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I want to be able to digitally record 4 tracks at the same time, but it seems most I find is 2 tracks at the same time (using digital workstations).

What digital workstation (non PC) would allow me to do the following:

1. Record 4 tracks at the same time
2. Provide phantom power for 2 SP B-1 mics
3. Has 2 inputs for the B-1 mics (vocal)
4. has 2 inputs for acoustical guitar/bass (via pickups)
5. Built in drum effects that can be modified and recorded
6. Built-in CD-RW
7. Built in preamps for the mics.
8. Built in HD
9. At LEAST 8 track total
10. Be able to record at CD quality, not compressed.
11. Output to monitor speakers

If there is no one device that will allow me to do this, what piece of hardware would I need to add to make the previous list workable?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. It seems as soon as I find something, It is missing another key feature that I need/want. I feel like I am chasing my tail. Please help.

Thanks,

Joe
 
Does it have to be all in one box? That is why you are finding limitations. As soon as you find a box that does it all your requirements will probably change also. What's your budget?
 
You just described a Professional studio engineer with a three million dollar studio.

All kidding aside, finding an all in one super machine that does all that stuff with proffesional sounding results is a stretch. Studios, professional or home based are pieced together because different manufacturers specialize in one sort of item as opposed to one piece wonder machines. Maybe there is indeed a few great multitrack recording machines out there (RE Yamaha, Roland, Akai) but you will either encounter feature limits, or quality limits.....
 
Yo JBLaven:

The Yamaha DAWS, 2816, 4416, AW16 can record on 8 tracks; they do not have drum boxes built-in; however, a good drum machine isn't all that expensive.

The Yams mentioned above come with the CDRW burner; but, then, so do several other brands.

Since I use the 2816, I'm partial to that box but it's not necessarily the best one out there. It suits my needs. Thus, you need to review some gear and get some demos so you can find what you need to suit your needs. We can all suggest this gear and that gear, but, in the end, it really rests on your shoulders.

Forward march.

Green Hornet :D :cool: :cool:
 
Thanks for your help,

We decided that two tracks at a time would be enough. We went with the Boss BR-1180CD. I am really excited. Can't wait for it to get here.

Thanks!

Joe
 
Does it do phantom power? My old VS-840 doesn't. I have to use an AudioBuddy.
 
The new Zoom MRS 1266 does EVERYTHING you mentioned, and does it well to my ears. I just picked one up about a week ago and I'm still fiddling with it, but so far it's superb. It's 24 bit, 10 track audio + built in drum/bass machine, and can record up to 6 tracks at once. Check out the full specs at: www.americanmusical.com
 
The MRS-1266 is 16-bit tracker, only the AD converters are 24bit but only 16 bit is actually recorded. And it's only has 9 independent audio tracks (8 mono + 1 stereo) not 10 as advertised. I wonder what else is not as it appears on the surface or as stated in the brochure if you read the whole manual thoroughly. If you want real features instead of false promises or bells and whistles go for Fostex VF160.
 
"I wonder what else is not as it appears on the surface or as stated in the brochure if you read the whole manual thoroughly."

Why don't you download the manual from the Zoom website and find out for yourself: http://www.zoom.co.jp/.

There's nothing in the brochure I've found that's falsely presented, believe me, I went through the unit and the manual tooth and comb to make sure. You do get 10 separate audio tracks with a little creative mixing (using your V tracks). 9/10 are paired but you can split them and have full editing and EQing capabilites for each track. Plus, you get a separate dedicated stereo mastering track. (Unlike many other workstations, where you've got to use the paired stereo track as your master track). The Zoom works for me because I'm a soloist that wanted an all-in-one unit that could also give me a dedicated drum/bass machine, Plus, it also has a separate dedicated sample phrase looping section for storing loops. You can also blend and mix in new input signals as you're doing your final mix/master of the 10 recorded tracks.
 
I use Roland VS1824CD, and it does all that and more. They do stretch the truth a bit, though. Yeah, it does 10 tracks in simultaneously, as long as 2 of them are mics straight into the board, 6 of them are line level ins from preamps, and 2 of them are S/PDIF digital signals. Nonetheless, in spite of its fairly cruddy pres, I've actually started to kind of like the thing. Don't count on me using those XLR mic ins, though, except for remote recording. It's *much* better if you feed it from good outboard pres.-Richie
 
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