Korg D16 Users

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futurestar

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I'm curious to know people's current opinions on the Korg D16. I've had mine for a couple of years or so, and now have a pc set up also. I don't use my trusty old Korg too much these days, but still like it for portability. Any one else on these boards still using one?
 
I had a d8 once and I really liked it when I was using it...I needed an upgrade when I started recording bands and needed 10 inputs. still a great songwriters box.
 
darrin_h2000 said:
I had a d8 once and I really liked it when I was using it...I needed an upgrade when I started recording bands and needed 10 inputs. still a great songwriters box.
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I had a couple of different cassette four tracks ... then a Fostex 8 track reel to reel ... then a d8 ... then the d16 .. now my pc DAW as well ... the journey continues! :-)
Actually the d16 has 8 inputs which is pretty useful compared to the d8's 2. I agree though, the d8 is (was) a great songwriter's tool.
 
I've got a D8 that I just took down and replaced with a PC. Haven't decided yet but I may keep the D8 just in case. It's been a great little machine....extremely stable, very good sound...I just kinda outgrew it. I almost bought the new Korg 32XD but the PC idea won out. The Korgs are nice, nice boxes.
 
StevenLindsey said:
I've got a D8 that I just took down and replaced with a PC. Haven't decided yet but I may keep the D8 just in case. It's been a great little machine....extremely stable, very good sound...I just kinda outgrew it. I almost bought the new Korg 32XD but the PC idea won out. The Korgs are nice, nice boxes.
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Hey Steve, I remember you from the Yahoo D8 users group. I upgraded to pc recording also, but via the d16 after selling my d8. The Korg units are really good for an all in one box - I find the D32 to be a little pricey though. (I looked at it as well).
 
futurestar said:
Hey Steve, I remember you from the Yahoo D8 users group. I upgraded to pc recording also, but via the d16 after selling my d8. The Korg units are really good for an all in one box - I find the D32 to be a little pricey though. (I looked at it as well).
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Cool! I'm glad to see another D8'er progressing up the ladder to greatdom! I'm having some serious issues with the PC thing right now, but my setup is going to be really nice when I finally get the bugs worked out. Yeah the D32 is about $4000 for the full setup but I'll bet it's nice. I was afraid of the reported noise so I was afraid to go with it.
 
What are you using for your pc set up? I have Saw Studio with a 2.4 gb P4, 1 gig of ram, 2 hard drives (one with pull out bay), and an Echo Mia soundcard. I haven't had any problems at all. (Except for viruses - but that's another story altogether)! This program has 72 tracks and can run 30+ without blinking an eye (plug ins included)! I'm very impressed so far.

Having said that ... I just can't seem to part with my D16!

I think the D32 is probably a good unit, but once you buy it, that's it. Other than software upgrades that last maybe 2 or 3 versions, the machine will not be expandable. Korg will come out with something new like they did with the gradual progression from the d8 to the d16 to the d1600, etc. Wise choice on the pc rig Steve - I hope you get the bugs worked out soon!
 
I've got a 3.0 P4, 1 gig Ram, 2 120 gb Seagates, etc. all apparently worthless because of this ATI Radeon graphics card in there with them. There's some kind of bug that even the geeks can't figure out among XP and ATI and the large system cache and maybe some others in the chain. I've crashed the OS 4 times so far trying to tweak for music production. I was trying to run a dual boot system to keep my internet separated from my Sonar/music apps but with all this other junk in the way, it's become too complicated. I think I'm about to just reformat both drives and start over with one OS. The system, so far, has been far too unstable to do any recording with. I got a Tascam 1884 to control the Sonar. Seems to be a great system..it sounds great. I just can't get my PC under control. I guess I'll get there eventually. Anyway, I've still got my D8. :D
 
I've had some problems getting my PC rig up and running also, but that was mainly due to a virus or two from the evil internet! :-(
When it comes to quick "idea" demos though, I still always use my D16. I find it much faster to get the song "out of my head and onto the hardrive".
 
Hey I am in the midst of researching the 828 MOTU, and the 002rack Pro Tools. I have heard of so many problems with potential crashes, and freeze ups, that I am planning on building a dedicated computer just for the music.
Are you guys (with the OS problems) running your music on the same computer that you use for everything else?
PS- I almost bought a Korg 32xd, but then started looking at all the pc possibilities. I think once I get the PC studio up and running I will look for a Korg 1200 on ebay...
 
Used to have D16

It`s a good recorder, but the digital converters were the worst I can remember hearing.
 
The converters on the D16 (and the D1200/D1600) are pretty weak, but they can be bypassed using an external pre with digital outs. Obviously, there are limitations no matter what you do with an "all in one" box. (Great for capturing ideas though). Having said that, I recorded these demos on a Korg: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/7/facesofevemusic.htm
All things considered, they turned out pretty decent for what they are. :-)
 
I've got a Korg D1600 and I use it as my main recorder when I want to record several tracks at once. I like what I'm hearing so far.
I'm not that technical. What do you mean exactly when you say: the converters on the D16 (and the D1200/D1600) are pretty weak ?

I use the micpreamps on the D1600 and another preamp (Joe Meek VC3Q) via one of the line-ins. And after recording I burn the tracks to CD and import them in my computer in Cool Edit Pro (now called Audition) and edit them there.
When in this process will I experience the negative effects of the "weak converters" ?
Can you somehow give me comparative facts or figures about the weakness of these converters ?
 
I guess "weak" wasn't the best word to use. "Clean" is probably better. You'll get a cleaner recording with most good soundcard A/D/A converters, than you will with a Korg. Having said that, the D1600 may sound slightly better than my D16 does - the converters usually get better with each model upgrade. By the way, Korg has a great forum if you didn't know already:
http://www.korgstudios.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=7
 
I don't think the converters are that bad. I've gotten some very clean recordings with a D8. You put some clean INPUT into one you'll get some clean output. One of the main problems with the Korgs is people using their weak PREAMPS and other cheap junky gear to record with and then saying "this recorder is junk!." Your D16 converters will do just fine. They arent' the best by any means but they are pretty darn good. Run a good mic through a RNP, Sytek or better amp straight into your Korg and bypass the onboard pre as much as possible and you'll see what I mean.
 
Don't get me wrong, I've had good results with my D16, (and my D8 before that). I was just comparing the Korg converters to the ones in my 24/96 soundcard, which does sound cleaner. Having said that, I'm still a big fan of the Korg recorders - easy to use, and very good for the price. :-)
 
Hi, I did an EP last year on My D16, I like using it, it's so simple to edit on and hardly needed to look to the manual. I am about to get into computer music production. But I'll keep the D16 around til I learn to do on the computer what I can do on the D16. And I did all my vocals through a joemeek MQ3 preamp, nice compressor and EQ. And the D16's convertors were fine, the preamps are what need to be bypassed, not the convertors.
 
I just upgraded to computer recording recently as well. I still use my D16 for pre poduction and as an audio sketch pad - the built in mic makes it perfect for getting ideas down quickly. You're right about the convertors, it's really the mic preamps that need to be bypassed. By the way, what kind of DAW rig are you upgrading to?
 
I'm still doing research for a PC DAW, most likely going to get a custom built PC or at least a barebones system that I can add to. As far as software, since I'm new I want to start simple, maybe reason, and track with n track,tracktion,or powertracks, maybe cakewalk home studio, I don't want to overwhelm myself with cubase or sonar just yet.What DAW rig will you use?
 
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