Multi track recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave Bolstridge
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Dave Bolstridge

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Hi All, my first post,

I'm looking at buying a dedicated mutitrack recorder, several pcs have died on me.

I shouldn't need more than 16 tracks and I only need to record in stereo, not all 16 at once. Effects can be minimal I can do them externally.

Also one thing I want is to not have to go back searching for unwanted takes and end bits of cropped edits that are kept on the hard drive, I'd like them to be erased instantly like in the good old days of tape.

Around 300 - 400 pounds.

Cheers

David
 
Hi Thanks but it's more tracks than I need and above my budget.

How would you compare the Zoom R8 to the Tascam DP008?
 
Check out the BOSS line of multitrack recorders. Very nice stuff with a lot of cool features that make recording and mixing fairly easy with excellent sound results. They make a num,ber of different size ones. I currently use a BOSS BR1600, which is a 16 track playback with 8 simultaneous recording inputs. It comes packed with a complete mixdown capabilities( EQ and compression on all 8 inputs) as well as a full mastering program, drum tracks, etc. The COSM effects are excellent so if you record direct into the board, you have some awesome guitar tones to work with. The BR1600 is probably one of the finest 16 track multitrack recorders out there. I actually use mine with an outside mixer to allow more recording options. Great for individual recording projects as well as it's designed to records bands. Lightweight and portable.

They have some smaller units out there too but with limits as to how many inputs can be recorded at the same time. Boss makes good stuff.

Good luck, hope you find what your looking for.

S.
 
I used to have the Boss BR1180CD, it had 2 XLR inputs and 2 line inputs, you could record 2 at once. It was £750 when I got it but prices will be less these days.
The pre-amps were crackely and the editing was not great, but for basic recording it was ok. Nothing special.
I would really suggest making a computer for cheap. You could make one for around £300 that would be definitely good enough for recording and mixing, then buying something like this: Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 | Sweetwater.com

Very good quality pre amps for the price, and you get 8! So when you want to record drums then you have the pre-amps ready to use.

Good luck,
G
 
Dave Bolstridge said:
Hi Thanks but it's more tracks than I need and above my budget.
Click to expand...

The Tascam 2488 will come down in price as they just released this, and why not buy a secondhand one from the people that have to have the latest thing and sell their old gear as soon as something new comes out. I have seen secondhand 2488's going very cheap. Oh and you can never have two many tracks ;)

Alan.
 
You could go with the Akai DPS 12i akai-dps12i.webp. These are still knocking about second hand. Or the Zoom MRS 1266zoommrs1.webp.
They'll serve your needs and are 12 tracks with virtual tracks if you want them and easy erasing of unwanted bits.
 
Of the TASCAM DP-008 and the ZOOM R8 I think I've come down on the ZOOM. Having been to a shop at the weekend I'm now being persuaded to spend more money on a BOSS BR-800 at 339 pounds instead of the ZOOM at 191 pounds. Does anyone have experience of this BOSS? Is it worth the extra cost?
 
I don't have experience with either but, "on paper", the BOSS BR-800 has a lot more to offer compared to the ZOOM R8.
Whichever you get, make sure you have money for some nice monitors if you don't have some already and whatever you do, don't buy cheap studio mics.!!!! :eek:
What goes in is exactly what comes out! ;)
 
The pre-amps will suck if they are like the pre-amps on the BR1180CD.

G
 
I've had good luck with a Zoom R24. I also use Reaper along with the R24 and it works well for me. SOS had a decent review of the R24 a few months ago. Good luck... GB
 
I've been using a Tascam 2488neo for a new record of material, and its a great unit. Onboard pres are not unusable by any means, and you may only need 16 tracks now, but from what I've heard, almost everyone eventually expands. Once you start double-tracking everything and recording sections of songs on different tracks for more professional-sounding transitions, those extra playable tracks will come in handy. Regardless, I would say snatch up one of the 2488neo's new at a discount before they disappear - for example, if you can get one for 400USD new... I saw they had fallen to 400USD on sweetwater a few weeks back, but apparently that was because the new DP-24 came out. Now the 2488 isn't available anymore :( If you were going to spend the 600 for a 2488neo new, you might as well pick up the DP-24.

And just to add a personal note, I totally understand the desire to switch to a standalone unit - I had a miserable time dealing with computers and interfaces for years, and with the 2488's workflow and stability, I can sit down and record without any setup hastle - turn it on, and its ready to go.
 
As a standalone user of many years, I've watched as all the standalone producing companies completely fail to produce something that I'd be interested in upgrading to.

Small displays with no external monitor options, limited effects application and aux bussing, limited interfacing with other modern technology, limited automation etc. etc.

All very disappointing, so I'm heading in the other direction sometime soon.

The DP-24 doesn't appear to address any of these serious design flaws either. Built down to a price, not up to a standard as far as I'm concerned.
 
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