Newbie looking for Digital Multitrack advice....please.

[Barnabyhuggins]

I want to step into the world of digital multitrack recording. I am loooking to make demos somewhere between crappy 4 track and awesome 70 track studio quality. I would like to be able to double/triple track guitars and splash in little extras. However, I have a friend with a full-fledged professional studio that I can use anytime. Therefore, I don't need super pro-quality stuff. Let's make it simple, this is what I want:

--Six or more tracks
--Ability to connect to computer. (this is an important quality. I would really like to cut my costs by using my large, high-quality computer with a cd-burner instead of buying an external burner or spending 200 more on a recorder with a built in burner.)
--phantom power for condensers
--drum and bass synthesizing would be nice though not essential.
--xlr input
--I don't want to have to buy any other piece of hardware, i.e. mic preamps, a/d converter etc. I want to be able to buy it, some mics and cords and then go to town. This is why I don't want the Tascam 788.
--cheaper the better, but I don't want shit. 700 at the VERY top, considering I would still have to buy cords and mics and stands and blah blah blah

Here is what I am looking at:

--Zoom MRS-1044
--Boss BR-1180
--Fostex VF80
--Zoom MRS-1266 (new model to replace the 1044)
--Fostex VF-16


I would really appreciate any opinions on these. If you have a strong opinion that one sucks or that one is great. PLEASE TELL!!
Does anyone know if the Fostex VF80 is directly connectable to a computer? On the website it says it has this: "S/PDIF I/O" which appears to be a type of interface. How much is the interface card for the computer. I would really prefer a directly connectable recorder so I can use my computer to burn. Therefore I would purchase the USB/interface adaptor for any of the above (if it has it).

Thank you so much for your help. This is a lot of money to spend when I am somewhat ignorant on the subject. Please educate me. THANKS!!

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo BH:

If I were you, I'd use "friend's" equipped studio while researching all of the factors you have delineated in your post.

Learn how it's done and then decide which way you want to do it.

Green Hornet

 

[Barnabyhuggins]

Thanks for responding hornet,

I do use my friend's studio (no need for quotes, I've known him for ten years) but he lives two hours north of where I live and my band jams. I don't need a setup like he has. One reason is cuz he has it and another is because I am not looking to put together a working, money-making studio.

I would like to be able to put down demo versions with my band an play with them a bit before I go up there for all the "bells and whistles."

I am looking into the Tascam 788 again because I found a good price. I would have to get a mic preamp though for condensers but anyway....any other opinions?

 

[PeteHalo]

Get the VF16 and a soundcard with ADAT interface (Terratec EWS88D $199). It's got all you're looking for incl. XLR&phantom except for the drum&bass synth and you can record 8 tracks at once or 16 with an external AD converter. Interfacing with computer couldn't be easier than thru the ADAT interface. I've written so many times about the VF16 here that I'm getting bored and I bet everybody else is too but you can search for my user name and find many posts about the VF16.