I think I am going with the DPS16.......However I have a few questions.

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tape

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The DPS 16 looks like the best deal currently. Questions I have are. 1. What else do I need to master to a CD? 2. What else do I need to save a project. 3. what effects should I get. Thanks for any help. Tom
 
You need a scci equipped compatable burner. Check the akai web site for a list of compatable drives. The akai includes effects in the u.s but Im not sure if it does elsewhere. There is also provision for using external effects so you can use most anything you like.
 
Wise decision!!

tape,

1: You'll need a decent computer with at least a Pentium II processor, 64 MEGS of RAM, and a 10-gig harddrive in order to use mastering software like ProTools, WaveLab 3.0, etc. etc.

2: The DPS-16 has a huge 10-gig harddrive... enough room to record about 4 full-length CD's. But, if it's a back-up you want, I believe a jaz-drive would do the trick.

3:The DPS-16 has plenty of internal effects. The earlier models were pretty light on the amount of internal effects, but Akai has added abunch more... including a "pitch corrector", which comes in handy if your vocals tend to waver a bit.

Believe me, you'll be VERY satisfied with the recording quality of this unit. ;)

Good Luck!
....Buck
 
Noise level

I've been reading through these posts on the DPS16, and it sounds like what I'm looking for.
One pressing question- what's the noise level of the unit? I was turned off by the original Roland 880 because of the ever-present grinding of the zip. If you have used these, how does the Akai compare?
I read a post elsewhere that noted that the Akai was LOUD.
Put another way- set up a decent condenser omni mic within arms reach of the unit. Crank the gain up to record your vocal at about a whisper. Is that hard disk and/or fan there in your cans?
 
noise

CompKid - The Akai uses a 10 GB IDE hard drive, therefor it makes noise. It sounds just like a computer when it is making noise. Needless to say you wouldn't want to set up a condensor very close to it, but I think that is a rule no matter what you are recording with.
 
ffmada-

Thanks- I sorta wish they would publish noise level as a spec. There's a "relativeness" to this, but I'm assuming that you wouldn't use the machine under the conditions I've described.

Of course there are work arounds- but if that means recording to an external scuzzy built into a box somewhere, then I need to know if the unit works without the internal drive.

Baffles- I have one around my Mac's external HD now, but it's still dumping noise into the room- just not so directly toward my mics.

Move away from the unit to record- you might be able to remote the functions, but you can't watch the levels, so you have to guess- it wastes time, and sometimes, it wastes the best take.

I've always had issues with computer-based recording, in part because of the noise level of the typical pc. I don't know about modern macs- mine is a passively-cooled antique, other than the HD.
 
You can disable the hard drive record with many different scsi drives if you want too, all through the disk select menu. I guess if you really wanted to you could get an orb drive or something like that and isolate it from the room entirely. That would cut down on the noise for sure.:D
 
My DPS16 isn't nearly as loud as my computer. I don't have an omni pattern condensor or anything (I use an AT 4033), but is it really that big a problem? Personally, if I were recording whispering vocals, I wouldn't use an omni pattern. Problem solved?
 
I did not mean that the dps16 is as loud as a typical computer, but it does make some noise.;) My computer has two fans and when they kick on that sucker screams:) I usually worry more about the other noisy things in my house more then the recorder, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about it.:D
 
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