PC vs HD recording: What about both?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NRS
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NRS

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Hi all.
I own both a Roland VS880ex as well as a newer PC loaded with an Audigy Platnum card and a variety of multitrack software. At this point I hardly use the VS880ex and record almost entirely on PC one track at a time via the Audigy since I prefer to work primarily with PC software, but still do use the VS880ex on occasion for projects that require mobility and multiple similtanious tracks. Unfortunately since I'm unable to export my VS880ex tracks to any of my multitrack PC programs, I have to finish any project I start within the unit and with its compressed audio, 2 gig hard drive, and an extremely slow 2x external cd burner, the thing is really starting to show its age. So basically I'm stuck with two limited recording methods that I'd just assume upgrade at some point.

What to get? Although I know theres some good digital mixer/PC interface combos out there these days capable of meeting most of my needs in one solution, I really have come to appriciate the portability and reliability of stand alone hard disc recorders. I was just wondering if theres any hard disc recorders out there at the moment that will export raw track data directly into any multitrack PC program and perhaps even double as a digital mixer to control program parameters. This would be the best of both worlds for me and probably not cost much more than a PC set up by itself. My only criteria would be having at least 8 similtanious track inputs, compatability with almost any multitrack software, and cost under $1000. (I might pay more if it also doubled as a digital mixer though)

Any other suggestions would be helpful if a product like this does not exist.

Thanks
 
from my knowledge, i think a lot of digital sequencers can transfer raw data to computers using various methods (but many of those r quite expensive). have u considered going with a laptop (maybe a powerbook) and just doing it with the computer and use a MOTU Traveler for instance? that'll take care of 8 simultaneous inputs and i think it should work out pretty well for you, if portability is a necesity. ummm there are many options, just search zzounds.com or something in their sections and read up on all the different sequencers they have.
 
If you're going to export the tracks into a PC anyway, why bother with a HD recorder?
A laptop & a Firepod will give you everything you need
 
Bulls Hit said:
If you're going to export the tracks into a PC anyway, why bother with a HD recorder?
A laptop & a Firepod will give you everything you need
Click to expand...
Stabilty is the first thing that comes to mind.
 
I'm with BS. I was a VF160 user until I found myself continually dumping .wav of to my desktop. I ebay'd it and bought a firepod. For my purposes the firepod and laptop is all I need. The Firepod pres are far superior to what I had on the V160, I'm completely happy with the Adobe Audition and Waves combo for editing and having one unit saves me an enormous amount of time and grief by keeping my data all in one place. It just makes sense to have it all in one place.

Plus, I can have a beer watch NASCAR think about my Sunday afternoon nap and surf the net in Wi-Fi with this setup.
 
Track Rat,
Indeed, stability is a major concern. I dont mind dealing with cpu latency and software quirks at home but when your out in the field and other people are depending on you to get thier raw tracks down without any fuss, you dont want to waste everyones time having to troubleshoot your computer. (I'll save any tinkering for the editing process later)

No doubt something like a firepod and laptop is an attractive mobile solution, but since I dont already own a laptop, I know the cost of getting the two would put me well within reach of a great new HD recorder that may offer me more flexability providing it also interfaces flwlessly with a PC. What I just dont know is how well some of these recorders work with 3rd party software or if they're even compatable at all. For example: Do you just plug in the HD recorder to the PC via USB or FW then open up cakewalk, click on import and BAM! expect 16 tracks of raw track data to transfer over from your recorder to your PC in just a few minutes or is the process more complicated and time consuming than that? (I realize you may have to download a patch or two to get the program to initially recognize your equipment, but thats to be expected.)

And what about importing HD info in real time as your recording (essntially making your HD recorder an equivelent firepod type interface)? Several new HD recorders boast USB backup and import capability but none really go into much more detail about it, such as this one I've been eyeing:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/245013/
 
219777,
Maybe you can let me know how that dumping .wav process worked for you. I looked up the VF-160 and it wasnt clear what method is used to export tracks to PC. You werent dumping .wavs out to PC two tracks at a time were you? (This was suggested for my VS880ex in Roland forum and simply isnt woth the bother in my opinion so I dont blame you for getting rid of it if thats what you were doing)

You have raised an interesting factor for me to consider however:

Would I rather own a HD recorder that could double as a multitrack PC interface or.........

Would I rather own a laptop set up for multitrack recording that also doubles as an all purpose mobile computer.

In the end, either option will probably cost about the same.
 
My setup my be a little beyond what you want to do but I track to an ALESIS HD24 hard disck recorder which is VERY stable. If you can operate a cassette deck, you can use this almost right out of the box. I go in and out of a computer with a MOTU 2408 mkII in real time via Lightpipe. It's truely the best of all possible worlds for me. Rock solid and I can edit anything, and I mean anything.
 
219777 said:
Plus, I can have a beer watch NASCAR think about my Sunday afternoon nap and surf the net in Wi-Fi with this setup.
Click to expand...

Beer.....Nascar.........mmmmm
 
Awsome set up! Actually its not really beyond what I'd LIKE to do, its just more than I can afford. The idea of a standalone HD recorder was really more to consolidate the costs of having to buy both a PC interface and an outboard recording quality mixer to feed it, all while still maintaning the option of HD reliability and portability I've come to appriciate. Your set up really is a well thought out one though.
 
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