Need help buying a digital recorder as a gift

[A Reel Person]

Besides whatever I posted above,...

I'd endorse the latecomer's Yamaha MD8 and load of data discs as an excellent solution, if you gotta go digital. Besides whatever analog I have and recommend, (mostly Tascam analog Portastudios), I also have and recommend the Yamaha MD8 & data discs. It's a vastly superior unit to most analog Portastudios, except the cream of the crop.

In case you didn't know, the MD8 is a removable media, digital/analog hybrid, where the recorder section is an 8 track data minidisc format, and the mixing side is a full-featured 8x4x2 analog mixer. 2-mic inputs have phantom power and inserts. The MD8 will record 8 tracks simultaneously, which is more than most of other digital 8-trackers out there. If I were to liken the MD8 to another unit, it would be most like the analog Tascam 488mkII. Of course, the MD8 is (data) minidisc, so it has all the whizbang editing features that digital is famous for, plus zero tape hiss & zero rewind time. All in all, my opinion is that the Yamaha MD8 data minidisc porta-format recorder is a fantastic unit.

Eh, creep, what condition is the MD8 & how many data discs incuded ? Depending on what & how many, that sounds like a very good deal!

I don't wanna repeat myself, too much. Thanx Supercreep! (Somebody jump on this guy's offer!)


Thanx again!!

 

[easystreet]

Tascam just came out with the DP-01, an 8 track digital recorder with EQs, effect send and mutes on every channel for $399. No menus to shift through when recording. Just arm the track with the REC button, plug into either one of the inputs, then hit PLAY and REC. It's extremely fast on the fly and has 40 gigs of hardrive space. Also has many editing features.

It has eight dedicated faders and a stereo master fader and records up to two tracks at a time. You can then master the 8 tracks down to a separate stereo function...or bounce them to open up more tracks.

I'm not a big fan of digital recorders, but they should ALL be modeled after this unit, because of its simplicity, nice sounding EQs, and user friendly layout. It also has a fat and warm sound, unlike other digital recorders I've used.

I think it's the best thing Tascam has done since the introduction of the Portastudio. It's that good

Here's a link to some pics: www.tascam.com/Press/Images/dp01.html

 

[jeffree]

I thought the same thing when I first saw it, Easy. A digital box that looks and acts like a cassette recorder, with lots of inputs and lots of moving pots and all. A great starter box, I'd guess, for someone just like ths starter of this thread (now long gone).

J.

 

[Supercreep]

I'd endorse the latecomer's Yamaha MD8 and load of data discs as an excellent solution, if you gotta go digital. Besides whatever analog I have and recommend, (mostly Tascam analog Portastudios), I also have and recommend the Yamaha MD8 & data discs. It's a vastly superior unit to most analog Portastudios, except the cream of the crop.

In case you didn't know, the MD8 is a removable media, digital/analog hybrid, where the recorder section is an 8 track data minidisc format, and the mixing side is a full-featured 8x4x2 analog mixer. 2-mic inputs have phantom power and inserts. The MD8 will record 8 tracks simultaneously, which is more than most of other digital 8-trackers out there. If I were to liken the MD8 to another unit, it would be most like the analog Tascam 488mkII. Of course, the MD8 is (data) minidisc, so it has all the whizbang editing features that digital is famous for, plus zero tape hiss & zero rewind time. All in all, my opinion is that the Yamaha MD8 data minidisc porta-format recorder is a fantastic unit.

Eh, creep, what condition is the MD8 & how many data discs incuded ? Depending on what & how many, that sounds like a very good deal!

I don't wanna repeat myself, too much. Thanx Supercreep! (Somebody jump on this guy's offer!)


Thanx again!!

I't in great condition, I've only recorded a few songs on it before I had to move. I got set up here and put together a much nicer DAW, and tried to find a use for it. "Mobile recording unit" , I figured. But I just am not using it and really need a telecaster. I probably have five discs or so, maybe six. Theyr'e not too expensive if you look around for them. I got them for seven bucks apiece, or something, online.

There is a very small noise floor, only because of the analog mixer element of the MD8. Also, the output is RCA stereo, so getting it to CD or into a PC for mastering can be more inconvenient. Well, not that inconvenient. I used a Tascam standalone CD burner for output.

 

[A Reel Person]

Hey!

Supercreep, thanx for the reply. I still endorse your offer as a highly desirable setup, w' analog mixer/digital recorder all-in-one'r, the Yamaha MD8. I also understand that the main outputs are RCA-stereo-ANALOG outputs, as well as the direct-track-outs: RCA-ANALOG. I understand there is no direct-digital-outs on the MD8. (I own one). The lack of direct-digital-outs on the MD8 was it's main and harshest relevant criticism. However, I've never seen that as a limitation. For what it is, the MD8 is a fantastic unit. I have one and recommend it, although it may not be for everyone. YMMV.

Eh, Jeffree, it's not so rosy. The DP-01 only has 2 inputs, with very limited input-side mixing, where EQ cannot even be applied to the input-side. Those EQ knobs you see on the DP-01's top panel are for OUTPUT TRACK EQ ONLY. Also, there are many menus in the DP-01. Even EQ is manipulated partially through menus. I've studied the DP-01/FX at length, and I would NOT recommend it.

I will say, that the Tascam DP-01/FX is MILES ahead of the Fostex MR-8,... it's main competition,... but I don't endorse any recorder in this class of devices, for the reasons I detailed above. As always, YMMV.

 

[A Reel Person]

Eh, Supercreep,...

What city would you be shipping the MD8 from? How'bout packaging? Does it have the original box and foam packing blocks?

Also, I'll add that $7 for a Data-Minidisc is very rosy a picture to paint, as my research says they retail from $10-$16/ea, new. Whatever the case, the Yamaha MD8 requires the DATA-Minidisc for full multitrack operation, so it's always a bonus to score the MD8 with discs included.

Thanx again./DA

 

[Supercreep]

What city would you be shipping the MD8 from? How'bout packaging? Does it have the original box and foam packing blocks?

Also, I'll add that $7 for a Data-Minidisc is very rosy a picture to paint, as my research says they retail from $10-$16/ea, new. Whatever the case, the Yamaha MD8 requires the DATA-Minidisc for full multitrack operation, so it's always a bonus to score the MD8 with discs included.

Thanx again./DA

Sacramento, CA.

Yes, still original packaging.

I swear, I found online from someplace like "mastering warehouse" or something. I bought ten discs for less than 100 bucks. They are sony MD Data discs. Try googling that.

PM me if you're interested, I haven't put an ad in the local paper yet - I'm not in a big hurry or anything.

I'd trade for the right Tele, btw.

 

[jeffree]

Thanks for the clarification, Reel. I've only seen an advertisement (a sharp one in Recording mag) of the new Porta and somehow thought it had more to offer. You gets what you pays for, eh? Still, the prices keep dropping, so newbies will find better and better deals in the coming few years.

Best,

J.

 

[mateenj]

Aquinod, I highly suggest getting a standalone Roland 8-track. Preferably the VS-840 or 880. I recently bought myself an 840 on Ebay, and first off, it did come in great condition and I payed a mere 300 dollars. You can get a new one for 800 i believe. The 880 has a few more features to it, but the 840 should do her just fine. Our group (a jazz trio also), has spent a lot of time recording and finally can get a good recording with this unit. Honestly though, anything you buy, you're going to have to spend a significant amount of time figuring out ways that you're band can record live or track by track so that it will sound good and it won't distort. This unit can record 4 tracks simultaneously with one effect either on individual track or the master out (all of them). I think it can get her job done. If she has patience and is willing to read the manual, then I suggest this. Because it's not something you open and expect to begin using right away (even though recording is still so easy if you're doing something simple, just press record, then hit play). Yet there's always more you can do with these units to improve quality, and eventually you will get a great recording.

 

[Supercreep]

truly, if you want to spend your money once, invest in a DAW - it's upgradeable and modular and dynamic - pretty much fantastic. Check out a new PC and a MOTU 898HD or go the Digidesign/Mac way if you're a Mac kind of guy. You'll wind up being limited by standalone units. I'd love to tell you that the MD8 is the end-all be-all, but being able to record 70+ tracks in Sonar with effects, master in Wavelab, and burn with Nero is dreamy. It's why I'm on to better things now, like mics and front-end pres

 

[A Reel Person]

Yeah, point taken,...

but part of the original premise was this user had no computer.

 

[A Reel Person]

but part of the original premise was this user had no computer.

There's nothing on earth that won't be limiting at some point, even the hailed DAW,... of which there's endless talk about upgrades, etc, etc. At what point is a CPU good enough,... fast enough? Didn't the 1GHz cpu stand the industry on it's ear two years ago?? Now, 1GHz is you little brother's computer.

 

[Supercreep]

There's nothing on earth that won't be limiting at some point, even the hailed DAW,... of which there's endless talk about upgrades, etc, etc. At what point is a CPU good enough,... fast enough? Didn't the 1GHz cpu stand the industry on it's ear two years ago?? Now, 1GHz is you little brother's computer.

Upgrading a modular system like a DAW is easier than having to switch entire platforms. It's just advice, take it or leave it. You may never need all the things a DAW offers, and so a standalone might be just what you need.