Inexpensive, non-versatile recorder needed

[Barak]

My congregation is looking at getting started in digital multitrack recording. However, we want at least to start out inexpensively. We have a 40x8 house mixer, and we don't want to buy a digital workstation that big.

Here's what I think would be really great:

A rack-mount device with either 8 analog inputs or (preferably) a single optical ADAT input on the back. (I can get an A/D ADAT converter if I need one, with exactly the input options I need.) I'll hook it up to the house mixer's subgroups. It has 8 VU meters and 8 trim controls on the front panel, plus record, play, and stop buttons, and not much else. (A jog wheel might be nice.) Ideally, it would record its data to a 1- or 2GB SD card; but in any case, I need some sort of media that I can pull out after the service and take back to my home studio and mix down using my computer, for upload to a Web site and burning onto a CD.

I absolutely need:
* Eight channels of simultaneous record capability
* 16-bit / 44.1kHz operation
* Level-setting trim on individual channels (unless input is ADAT)
* Recording to removable medium
* Output in hard and soft format compatible with my home machine.
* Simple operation that can be handled by amateur volunteers (sometimes very amateur): something like, "Press RECORD just before the prelude music starts; it'll turn off on its own."
* Solid week-in, week-out reliability

I absolutely do not need, and do not want to pay for:
* 16 or 24 channels of recording
* 24-bit resolution
* 96- or 192kHz capability
* A complex mixer-like control surface
* An audio editing workstation
* A MIDI sound module or sequencer

And I'd like to pay considerably less than $1000 for this beast.

Any takers?

Thanks,
Barak

 

[Paj]

Fostex VF

Fostex VF160EX, Fostex VF160CD, Fostex VF16

All the other stuff you listed, plus.

Mine has been running about 20-24 hours per week for almost three years now. ADAT-S/PDIF interface is built in (for 10-16 simultaneous channels with an ADAT or S/PDIF source). For live recordings, where some normal disk drive chatter is not an issue, you can forget the Fostex "approved Drive" list and plug in darn near any hard drive---takes about 5 minutes, max.

Paj
8^)

 

[jayridge]

Except for the SD card part, you are describing an ADAT. I've seen people selling ADATs for $50. Plus, SVHS tape costs way less and are easy to archive.

You could buy two, one for church and one for home (plus ADAT card... there's many to choose from) and easily transfer/mix your cd's at home. You should be able to do it all for < $500.

I'd send you mine, but I just started using it again with a motu 828 mkII for extra tracks. I'm surprised how well it stands up against the motu.

Jay