pc or hd recorder?

[banjoal]

I`m thinking of doing some home recording.I was wondering which way would be best.....1,pc-based with soundcard ,software and break out box or.....2, hd recorder (say the vs 1880).also since I will be doing mostly analog with a mike am I really better off to spend the extra money on 24-bit a/d d/a rather than 20 bit. thanks any imput would be greatly appreciated. Al

 

[AlChuck]

It really boils down to what you want to do, how you want to work, and what kind of compromises you can accept. A computer setup is potentially far more flexible and powerful, but also more expensive and dealing with POC configuration issues and OS issues is really a big pain and not that simple. A stand-alone is like a PortaStudio -- it's an all-in-one box, you got what you got. There's effects on board, but you can't upgrade them like you can with DirectX or VST effects on a PC... you got the little tiny LCD to deal with... you have the 8 or 16-track limit to work with... but they are so much easier to deal with than a PC, and probably less expensive when all is said and done. The sound of either a computer-based or a stand-alone multitrack is potentially so good now that it's not the real issue. It boils down to skill and talent and learning to make the most of what's in front of you.

 

[drstawl]

I think you have to include portability as one variable to be compared as a PC based system is inherently less portable unless you spend some serious dough on a flat monitor and a rackmounted PC case.
If this is a permanent installation then this variable isn't important at all.
I'd like a portable multitracker for tracking and a fixed PC for editing. But I can't afford this yet. Maybe next year.

 

[happy hour]

Some multitracks have updatable OS's.....

 

[Grizzly]

IMHO the Doc is correct. Do you want portability or what?
I have both and wouldn't have it any other way. But you have to decide. There are sound cards that you can put in to your computer that have a light pipe port. This will allow your to connect for example a KORG d8to your computer for soft ware editing of your music. But one thing that you should know is not all HD recorders are multi-track recorders. That is to say they all won't let you record say 8 tracks at once. Going back to the D8, Yes it is an 8 track recorder but you can record on only 2 tracks at one time.So make shure you know what the product will do befor you buy it. My preference for live recording is to use my 424 and a small out board mixer. They work very well and you can now get one for about $300.00 US. They use HI bias CHEAP cassette tapes and give a good quality recording. This and about a dozen mics and cables and I can be set up to record a band in about 30minutes. tear it all down and be out the door in about 35 minutes. and carry it all in a compact car with room to spare. By keeping the set up simple I have learned how to get excellent recordings, and have fun doing it. That's the key keeping it fun.

GRIZ