Is the original BR-8 really that bad?

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sicvita

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Ok, recently I found a used BR-8 for 199 dollars at a music store. I was about to buy it and the worker said that I would be better off getting a tascam US-122 if I had a decent computer, 'cause it would give me a better quality sound for my money. I took his suggestion and now I'm up to my neck in problems, mainly clicks and permenant skips when recording (all us-122 related, my computer is maxed out on specs and optimized for audio), and what I've heard is the drivers were poorly written for Windows XP. It records at 16bit, and 24 bit, but you can't record at 24bit with the included software, you have to buy some 100 dollar upgrade. So the br-8 records at 16 bit, so we're even there, and it would work with adobe audition, which I already have, and which the us-122 is incompatible with for some reason. Since he kinda talked me into buying it, he said I could return it, so should I just return the US-122 for the BR-8? Is that a big down grade?
 
I've had a BR-8 since they first came out and I make great sounding recordings. There were several musicians on the old MP3.com site that sold songs that were recorded on the BR-8. Yes, it records only at 16 bits, which is the same as CD quality.
 
Au contraire, mon fraire!!

Au contraire, mon fraire!! The BR8 is a decent 8-track recorder. One could do much worse. I've made many a decent recording on my BR8, and am quite fond of it. I have friends with ProTools HD systems that do not yield much better recordings than what I get on the BR8. I must confess however, that I do not use the onboard mic pre's on the BR8 whatsoever. I think I've only tried them once. If you really want to get decent recordings, it is essential you get a decent microphone, and a decent mic-preamp as well. I now call my BR8 the BR-Grrrrrrrrr-8! I might add that if one cannot get a decent recording on one of these units, then they may need to 1) write better songs, and 2) practice.

Cheers!

-p
 
I'm also a BR-8 fan. 199 is a kick ass steal. I'd buy it if I saw it at that pric.e

It's got the convenience and the sound quality is good enough for in depth arrangement songwriting demos.

a gooy buy. :)
 
I have had my BR-8 for about 5 years now and love it I have since upgraded to the Tascam 428 but I still have it put up for back up purposes the reason why he said that you would be better off getting a usb recording interface is that way you can have unlimited plugins and all the programs with multitrack views and all that. But you can get good sounding quality with the br-8 don't let someone lie to you and for $200 I wish I could've only paid that much for mine
 
BR-8 Begginer good,

For me, the BR-8 was a great way to enter into the recording world. I paid alot more the $200 and I definalty feel that was money well spent. I've made very good recording using no external plugins whatsoever, just using the BR-8 mic pre's, guitar models, and effects. For a beginner with not alot of money to spend, a good mic, a set of monitors, the BR-8 is almost all you need and it's easy to use.

Now the downfall... I don't like recording on a zip dsc, I wish it was a cd. I'm not computer savy, and I don't know how to transfer it onto my computer, which I know you can with the digital interface. But, other than it only having 8 tracks and only 2 simultanious channels of recording at a time, which is plenty for a begginer, I still think it's a good machine. I am going to keep mine for a long time as a back up and to use as a portable recorder when I want to record at remote locations.

Hope this helps?!?
 
Only real problems with the br8 is that you can only put one effect on one track at the one time while mixing. So you couldnt add a compressor to track one and add an enhancer to track 2 (after recording). And the cd player and writer is pretty bad. It doesnt work sometimes. And when going straight in from a guitar or bass the sound has slight crakcles, even when making sure there are no peaks in the recording.
 
re-BR-8

That's not a problem but the limits of the BR-8. The BR-8 was designed for the 'bedroom' guitarist, it's when musicians try to use it for what is not, that they think there are problems. I use my BR-8 to create songs and than I take make CDs for the band to listen to, and to pick my solos. I don't hear any crackles or pops, it must be your cords.

ecktronic said:
Only real problems with the br8 is that you can only put one effect on one track at the one time while mixing. So you couldnt add a compressor to track one and add an enhancer to track 2 (after recording). And the cd player and writer is pretty bad. It doesnt work sometimes. And when going straight in from a guitar or bass the sound has slight crakcles, even when making sure there are no peaks in the recording.
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