D
DTheriot2
New member
Anyone got one yet? What'd ya think?
J
James HE
a spoonfull weighs a ton
I wish!
L
loudnaybor
New member
I'll second that James HE.
I don't have one but I've looked at 'em pretty close and they look like the shit. They're still fairly new, I'm hoping the price will drop a little.
I don't have one but I've looked at 'em pretty close and they look like the shit. They're still fairly new, I'm hoping the price will drop a little.
B
bwindsor
New member
I've got one on order, hope to have it in the next two weeks (Canadian availability "slightly" slower!)
I'm basically buying this unit with the hopes that third party upgrades to the DSP will greatly improve what has previously been reported. In any case, even as a digital master recorder alone, it is a step up from dat, with the ability to mix to internal hard drive, and then make cd copies all within one box! And a standalone CD recorder, even with a finalizer, will cost more, and still not give you the flexibility to re-order songs, or make numerous copies, albeit one at a time(g), with the push of a button. I'll use my own outboard gear for low budget mastering, and send out when higher $ allows. My biggest concern right now is how the converters sound...don't want to buy a Rosetta unless absolutely necessary...we'll see! I'll keep you posted.
BW
I'm basically buying this unit with the hopes that third party upgrades to the DSP will greatly improve what has previously been reported. In any case, even as a digital master recorder alone, it is a step up from dat, with the ability to mix to internal hard drive, and then make cd copies all within one box! And a standalone CD recorder, even with a finalizer, will cost more, and still not give you the flexibility to re-order songs, or make numerous copies, albeit one at a time(g), with the push of a button. I'll use my own outboard gear for low budget mastering, and send out when higher $ allows. My biggest concern right now is how the converters sound...don't want to buy a Rosetta unless absolutely necessary...we'll see! I'll keep you posted.
BW
ruebarb
New member
groan - it froze - read below
[This message has been edited by ruebarb (edited 04-05-2000).]
[This message has been edited by ruebarb (edited 04-05-2000).]
ruebarb
New member
You know, I've been using a computer based CDR for a while now. That thing SUCKS!!!! - I'd take a cdr based mastering system anytime. For one thing, all my CDR files have to be converted to .wav files to be written in CD quality on a computer. Unless I missed something specially made for music people like us, I wouldn't recommend my solution to anyone. I also wouldn't recommend a Phillips "Consumer CD Audio" burner. 4 bucks a CD!?!?!
Maybe I'll try the masterlink. What the hell. - Can't be worse than my previous situation
RB
Maybe I'll try the masterlink. What the hell. - Can't be worse than my previous situation
RB
T
The Green Hornet
New member
Yo to all:]
I'm doing research on the Masterlink; best price so far is 1446 from Full Compass. I've read that the converters are supposed to be very good but cannot confirm with my ears.
Also, to be able to take the signal from my MD-8 and pipe it down to the Masterlink and then punch up a CD is exciting. I just hope the box works as easily as the promotional material states it works.
No units are available yet from Full Compass; however, I did see the box advertised in Musician's Friend Mag/Catalog.
I also learned from a salesperson at FC that the Tascam 5000 stand alone CDR+ was discontinued. Too many were sent back because of faulty operation. My last Tascam purchase was a dual MKII cassette recorder and it was just a box full of pops and clicks. I don't believe they grounded the rotten thing. I should have sent it back but I bought a Sony ES model dual cassette deck. It is just great. ALesis makes some nice products but they also market some terribly engineered stuff. I once had one of their Q synths; I sold it because the LCD was made for the eyes of a Peregine hawk; poor operations, lousy manual, and the sounds were so/so.
I'm still trying to find out about the quality of the Korg Stage Piano 100; anybody know how that 88 keyboard sounds? The price is right from Zzounds.
Green Hornet
I'm doing research on the Masterlink; best price so far is 1446 from Full Compass. I've read that the converters are supposed to be very good but cannot confirm with my ears.
Also, to be able to take the signal from my MD-8 and pipe it down to the Masterlink and then punch up a CD is exciting. I just hope the box works as easily as the promotional material states it works.
No units are available yet from Full Compass; however, I did see the box advertised in Musician's Friend Mag/Catalog.
I also learned from a salesperson at FC that the Tascam 5000 stand alone CDR+ was discontinued. Too many were sent back because of faulty operation. My last Tascam purchase was a dual MKII cassette recorder and it was just a box full of pops and clicks. I don't believe they grounded the rotten thing. I should have sent it back but I bought a Sony ES model dual cassette deck. It is just great. ALesis makes some nice products but they also market some terribly engineered stuff. I once had one of their Q synths; I sold it because the LCD was made for the eyes of a Peregine hawk; poor operations, lousy manual, and the sounds were so/so.
I'm still trying to find out about the quality of the Korg Stage Piano 100; anybody know how that 88 keyboard sounds? The price is right from Zzounds.
Green Hornet
B
BigKahuna
New member
I've got a Tascam CDRW5000 and am surprised that they're discontinuing it. It's worked like a champ for me.
As far as the Masterlink ... it's a very interesting machine. It seems to me, though, that you'd get more out of a computer-based CDR set up. At $1446 (thnx for that price GH), it seems comparable if not more expensive than a good soundcard/CDR drive combination. OK, to get the same 'finishing' functions ... you'd need to invest in a some software ... but I still think using a PC to burn CDs could give more flexibility (?). I guess I'm just thinking out loud here.
One BIG plus of this CDR is it's ability to record up to 24bit, 96kHz.
As far as the Masterlink ... it's a very interesting machine. It seems to me, though, that you'd get more out of a computer-based CDR set up. At $1446 (thnx for that price GH), it seems comparable if not more expensive than a good soundcard/CDR drive combination. OK, to get the same 'finishing' functions ... you'd need to invest in a some software ... but I still think using a PC to burn CDs could give more flexibility (?). I guess I'm just thinking out loud here.
One BIG plus of this CDR is it's ability to record up to 24bit, 96kHz.
Fishmed
Well-known member
I wonder if you can upgrade the hard drive in the MasterLink?
T
The Green Hornet
New member
Yo to all you good people:
The more I look at the Masterlink, the more I think it suits my needs. No matter what type of recorder I use, well almost, the Masterlink can store the stereo feed, it can tweak and set up the stored song (s) and then it can do Red Book CD, which I've not done yet but hope to soon.
I don't quite understand the 24 bit function of the Masterlink but it is there. [is that for data storage only?]
So, if I want to upgrade my Yam MD-8, almost any other box will still send the two track stereo signal to the Masterlink; and, the Masterlink has inputs for analog or digital or optical stuff.
By the way, I did read that the Korg SP-100 is a nice keyboard so I bought one from Zzounds. I sent them a lower price from another dealer [it's part of their marketing scheme] and they beat that price. So, I'll soon add the 88 keys, plus a dynamite piano patch and layering to my studio. But, you know what, I still love my old Yam DX-7; I know how to tweak it and it's still a pleasure to work with. And, the battery in it, [knock on a woodpecker's head] is still solid after more than 12 years.
Happy Easter
Green Hornet
The more I look at the Masterlink, the more I think it suits my needs. No matter what type of recorder I use, well almost, the Masterlink can store the stereo feed, it can tweak and set up the stored song (s) and then it can do Red Book CD, which I've not done yet but hope to soon.
I don't quite understand the 24 bit function of the Masterlink but it is there. [is that for data storage only?]
So, if I want to upgrade my Yam MD-8, almost any other box will still send the two track stereo signal to the Masterlink; and, the Masterlink has inputs for analog or digital or optical stuff.
By the way, I did read that the Korg SP-100 is a nice keyboard so I bought one from Zzounds. I sent them a lower price from another dealer [it's part of their marketing scheme] and they beat that price. So, I'll soon add the 88 keys, plus a dynamite piano patch and layering to my studio. But, you know what, I still love my old Yam DX-7; I know how to tweak it and it's still a pleasure to work with. And, the battery in it, [knock on a woodpecker's head] is still solid after more than 12 years.
Happy Easter
Green Hornet
J
Jason001
New member
You can burn 24 bit cdr's with the Masterlink. When there are upgrades you will be able to buy a cd rom pop it in and theres your upgrade.
You can store 90 min. @ 24 bit and 300 some odd minutes @ 16 bit on the hard drive.
You can store 90 min. @ 24 bit and 300 some odd minutes @ 16 bit on the hard drive.
A
AEL
New member
I got a masterlink one week ago. I am using it to record my 4 piece acoustic band live by plugging an AT 4033 mic into a mixer and sending the output to the hard drive on the masterlink. You can't plug a mic directly into the masterlink because it has no preamps. So far, the results are excellent. CD burning was easy. The editing functions are reasonably easy to use. I plan to get another 4033 and record live in stereo. I'll keep you posted on results.
R
Recording Engineer
Moderator
I'd buy one if it had Apogee's UV22 dithering algorithm in it. Then you could at least buy an Apogee Rosetta and just use the A/D converters.
Ahhh, who am I kidding? Might as well go with a computer at that point. Now if only Steinberg would just release that Direct-X plug-in version of Apogee's UV22 like they've been saying for the past two years...
Ahhh, who am I kidding? Might as well go with a computer at that point. Now if only Steinberg would just release that Direct-X plug-in version of Apogee's UV22 like they've been saying for the past two years...
sonusman
Banned
Here here RE!!!
Ed
Ed
G
GROUNDZERO
New member
I have a Masterlink and the thing works great. Much better and easier than I imagined. I paid $1,300.00 @ Sam Ash. It does everything Alesis said it would do and does it fast and easy. I was worried before I bought it that it would be hard to work with but its very user friendly. The converters sound great. The DSP seems good to me, much better than what I was doing before with outboard gear but no finalizer. I was using Analog Tape to Outboard Gear to DAT to CDR. This elimates all that hassel, plus you can change the order of songs easier, crop them, etc. Unless you your willing to buy a DAT, a Finalizer and a CD Burner this is the way to go. Much less expensive and the result is equal I'd say. This is by far the best addition I have in my studio and I am very happy with it.
M
majormid
New member
Hi Guys!
Up front, I am an Alesis rep, so it is up to you as to whether you will believe me or not
I have had the MasterLink for about 3 weeks and I've got to say that it is incredible. The meger 40 page manual hints at the ease of operation and the sound is wonderful. I was reading a comment regarding the 24 bit/96 k thing, so please let me expand a bit.
Of course you can record at that amazing resolution, but the really amazing thing is that Alesis has developed a system (they call CD24)format that allows you to "burn" 24/96 onto a regular CD. Of course, this does not allow you to play it back through your CD player, but you have your songs as files that can be opened in programs like Cakewalk 24/96 (and every other program) that supports that format! A bit of information for you here... If you are planning to release your own CD, then you might be considering a mastering house to finalize the tape. Many folks just don't know how incredible mastering can be. Frequency-specific EQ's, Compressors, etc. can do amazing things to your music. Is the bass to boomy at 527hz? Mastering doesn't require that you always grab EQ's , in fact they can apply a compressor to the specific frequencies that are a problem and compress or limit just that area. Of course, there are many things that mastering does such as tightening up or opening the music, getting a "hot", powerful sound, etc. So what does this have to do with the MasterLink and CD24? Well, the first thing that a mastering house does is take your recording and transfer it directly over to a Mac or PC hard drive at the sample rate of 24 bit/96K. This usually means DigiDesign (Mac) or Sonic Solutions (PC). There are tremendous editing capabilities when you have a resolution like this. Think of it this way; It is easier to read a book at 24 point type than to read the 4 point type in their warranty? The bottom line is that mastering engineers have a hard job and they're not going to make it harder by not using the highest resolution that they can. HOWEVER, that transfer isn't free! In addition, it can take several hours to complete. The MasterLink will let you make a CD copy at that exact resolution, so all the mastering engineer has to do is pop it in the computer and he's good to go!!! This is only one fantastic thing about the MasterLink.
Cropping the start and end time of songs is effortless, the DSP prgrams sound excellent, and I haven't had one single "glitch", even when using over 30 Imation CD-R's! FYI, I usually have lots of errors with Imation....(but that could just be me!)
In addition, software upgrades are amazingly simply. Just insert a software CD, load it and you're done. The first upgrade is getting ready to ship (ver. 2.0) so I'm going to "spill the beans" and let you know some of the great new features that are coming. Here goes:
1.Track Split - now you will be able to split a single file into multiple ones. In addition, any DSP functions will be appliciable (that is, retained), on all of the files.
2. Assemble tracks together! Paste to your heart's content.
3.Playlists cqn be saved to disk! You have 16 lists already, but now you can have as many as you want!
4. Adjusted Meters have been calibrated so that an audio peak of 1/8 db below the meter mark will light up the meter segment.
5. Audio files can now be copied.
6. Now you can move an Entire CD to a playlist. Originally, you had to copy one song from a CD at a time. Now, the MasterLink recognizes each track and saves it as a separate file! Very Cool!!!
7. While recording audio onto the hard disk, the user can mark a new track at any point in time.
8. You now have the ability to copy your DSP settings: You've worked hard on a bass track's EQ, now transfer it over to another song . This way the next time the bass player comes back to the studio, you don't have to have to start all over again...
9. Paste your favorite DSP settings over to another song at any time.
10. DSP Setting Changes: The Limiter output level is now adjustable in .10 db increments and has two fields for adjusting. The Compressor ratio setting now has two fields for adjusting.
11. Loop Mode: Yes, you can loop a specific section of audio at will!
12. Lots of other cool stuff...for example, if a playlist does not fit on a CD, a message will tell you at what track the playlist can go to... CD24 tracks are now MAC compliant....you can mark a new track whenever you want to while recording and lots more!
Guys, you might not believe me, but I've got to tell you...this thing is fantastic! I haven't bought anything personally for myself in many years, especially since I always get sample units to work with, but I HAD TO HAVE THIS MACHINE! Don't take my work on it...just get you hands on one an see for yourself.
I'm sorry for this very long post, but I just had to express my feelings. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me and I'll do my best to answer or help you out!
-best regards,
-glen
-Alesis - NC/SC/TN
Up front, I am an Alesis rep, so it is up to you as to whether you will believe me or not
I have had the MasterLink for about 3 weeks and I've got to say that it is incredible. The meger 40 page manual hints at the ease of operation and the sound is wonderful. I was reading a comment regarding the 24 bit/96 k thing, so please let me expand a bit.
Of course you can record at that amazing resolution, but the really amazing thing is that Alesis has developed a system (they call CD24)format that allows you to "burn" 24/96 onto a regular CD. Of course, this does not allow you to play it back through your CD player, but you have your songs as files that can be opened in programs like Cakewalk 24/96 (and every other program) that supports that format! A bit of information for you here... If you are planning to release your own CD, then you might be considering a mastering house to finalize the tape. Many folks just don't know how incredible mastering can be. Frequency-specific EQ's, Compressors, etc. can do amazing things to your music. Is the bass to boomy at 527hz? Mastering doesn't require that you always grab EQ's , in fact they can apply a compressor to the specific frequencies that are a problem and compress or limit just that area. Of course, there are many things that mastering does such as tightening up or opening the music, getting a "hot", powerful sound, etc. So what does this have to do with the MasterLink and CD24? Well, the first thing that a mastering house does is take your recording and transfer it directly over to a Mac or PC hard drive at the sample rate of 24 bit/96K. This usually means DigiDesign (Mac) or Sonic Solutions (PC). There are tremendous editing capabilities when you have a resolution like this. Think of it this way; It is easier to read a book at 24 point type than to read the 4 point type in their warranty? The bottom line is that mastering engineers have a hard job and they're not going to make it harder by not using the highest resolution that they can. HOWEVER, that transfer isn't free! In addition, it can take several hours to complete. The MasterLink will let you make a CD copy at that exact resolution, so all the mastering engineer has to do is pop it in the computer and he's good to go!!! This is only one fantastic thing about the MasterLink.
Cropping the start and end time of songs is effortless, the DSP prgrams sound excellent, and I haven't had one single "glitch", even when using over 30 Imation CD-R's! FYI, I usually have lots of errors with Imation....(but that could just be me!)
In addition, software upgrades are amazingly simply. Just insert a software CD, load it and you're done. The first upgrade is getting ready to ship (ver. 2.0) so I'm going to "spill the beans" and let you know some of the great new features that are coming. Here goes:
1.Track Split - now you will be able to split a single file into multiple ones. In addition, any DSP functions will be appliciable (that is, retained), on all of the files.
2. Assemble tracks together! Paste to your heart's content.
3.Playlists cqn be saved to disk! You have 16 lists already, but now you can have as many as you want!
4. Adjusted Meters have been calibrated so that an audio peak of 1/8 db below the meter mark will light up the meter segment.
5. Audio files can now be copied.
6. Now you can move an Entire CD to a playlist. Originally, you had to copy one song from a CD at a time. Now, the MasterLink recognizes each track and saves it as a separate file! Very Cool!!!
7. While recording audio onto the hard disk, the user can mark a new track at any point in time.
8. You now have the ability to copy your DSP settings: You've worked hard on a bass track's EQ, now transfer it over to another song . This way the next time the bass player comes back to the studio, you don't have to have to start all over again...
9. Paste your favorite DSP settings over to another song at any time.
10. DSP Setting Changes: The Limiter output level is now adjustable in .10 db increments and has two fields for adjusting. The Compressor ratio setting now has two fields for adjusting.
11. Loop Mode: Yes, you can loop a specific section of audio at will!
12. Lots of other cool stuff...for example, if a playlist does not fit on a CD, a message will tell you at what track the playlist can go to... CD24 tracks are now MAC compliant....you can mark a new track whenever you want to while recording and lots more!
Guys, you might not believe me, but I've got to tell you...this thing is fantastic! I haven't bought anything personally for myself in many years, especially since I always get sample units to work with, but I HAD TO HAVE THIS MACHINE! Don't take my work on it...just get you hands on one an see for yourself.
I'm sorry for this very long post, but I just had to express my feelings. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me and I'll do my best to answer or help you out!
-best regards,
-glen
-Alesis - NC/SC/TN
R
Recording Engineer
Moderator
Now that sounded like a rep talking; not that he wasn't very upfront with us about that from the get-go. In fact, I like reps to be apart of net discussion groups.
With that said. I still stick with wanting good converters (Apogee's will do just fine) and Apogee's UV22 dithering algorithm. Hell I'd even be satisfied with Apogee converters in it. I'd probably buy it then.
With that said. I still stick with wanting good converters (Apogee's will do just fine) and Apogee's UV22 dithering algorithm. Hell I'd even be satisfied with Apogee converters in it. I'd probably buy it then.
J
JNP
New member
Thanks Glen for all that info! Can you tell me when the update will be available? I just purchased the masterlink this week and can say so far it's working great! I already remixed some older CDs that I made with another burner and they sound fantastic! Just being able to monitor the levels with this is a big upgrade from what I was using!
The only suggestion I have is that they make a small application manual showing some general settings and uses!!
The only suggestion I have is that they make a small application manual showing some general settings and uses!!
M
majormid
New member
Hi,
The "word" is that the 2.0 software should be out within the next 3 weeks. Although I can't confirm it, I do know people who are currently Beta-testing it.
-regards,
-glen
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JNP:
Thanks Glen for all that info! Can you tell me when the update will be available? I just purchased the masterlink this week and can say so far it's working great! I already remixed some older CDs that I made with another burner and they sound fantastic! Just being able to monitor the levels with this is a big upgrade from what I was using!
The only suggestion I have is that they make a small application manual showing some general settings and uses!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The "word" is that the 2.0 software should be out within the next 3 weeks. Although I can't confirm it, I do know people who are currently Beta-testing it.
-regards,
-glen
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JNP:
Thanks Glen for all that info! Can you tell me when the update will be available? I just purchased the masterlink this week and can say so far it's working great! I already remixed some older CDs that I made with another burner and they sound fantastic! Just being able to monitor the levels with this is a big upgrade from what I was using!
The only suggestion I have is that they make a small application manual showing some general settings and uses!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
M
majormid
New member
Thanks for your comments "Recording Engineer". I appreciate your welcome! Why don't you expand a bit for everyone as to why you just have to have Apogee Converters! They are great, but you know, I'm also a recording engineer who has worked in some "Very Serious" studios and I noticed that we were still mixing down onto "regular" DAT machines I'm not trying to start a flame here, I just want to point out, that you have to hear the converters in the MasterLink before your assume that they don't qualify as "good" in your comment. You might be surprised. I was lucky enough to work with Todd Rundgren one time many years ago, and I remember what he told me..."It doesn't matter what you use to get the sound, the only thing that you care about IS the sound. If you like it then it's cool". I have to admit that I've lived with that thought for many years. Yes, one time, I used a old MXR reverb running through a Neve Console! And guess what??? It was perfect for what we were doing! I rest my point!
-regards,
-glen
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Recording Engineer:
Now that sounded like a rep talking; not that he wasn't very upfront with us about that from the get-go. In fact, I like reps to be apart of net discussion groups.
With that said. I still stick with wanting good converters (Apogee's will do just fine) and Apogee's UV22 dithering algorithm. Hell I'd even be satisfied with Apogee converters in it. I'd probably buy it then.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm not trying to start a flame here, I just want to point out, that you have to hear the converters in the MasterLink before your assume that they don't qualify as "good" in your comment. You might be surprised. I was lucky enough to work with Todd Rundgren one time many years ago, and I remember what he told me..."It doesn't matter what you use to get the sound, the only thing that you care about IS the sound. If you like it then it's cool". I have to admit that I've lived with that thought for many years. Yes, one time, I used a old MXR reverb running through a Neve Console! And guess what??? It was perfect for what we were doing! I rest my point!-regards,
-glen
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Recording Engineer:
Now that sounded like a rep talking; not that he wasn't very upfront with us about that from the get-go. In fact, I like reps to be apart of net discussion groups.
With that said. I still stick with wanting good converters (Apogee's will do just fine) and Apogee's UV22 dithering algorithm. Hell I'd even be satisfied with Apogee converters in it. I'd probably buy it then.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>