Portable Digital Recorders

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Massimo

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How easy are these new portable Digital Recorders to use? I've got an anolog Tascam 414 wich is a breeze to use. But I need more tracks and thinking of going with maybe a Yamaha AW16G. These things come loaded with stuff, but just how easy are they to use?
 
There is a definate learning curve involved.It probably varies from machine to machine, to some degree.After 8 months of using digital, I'm still learning new things I can do with the machine, but that's what's so cool about it.I do miss having all the knobs, sometimes.
 
Well just how sharp of a curve is it I wonder? I don't want to have to be going through a manual everytime I want to do something. I love the simplicity of the Analog recorders. What about hooking up a mixer to the AW16G so I just use it as the recorder? That way I still have all my knobs that are easy to access. But I guess that defeats the purpose of having an all in one recorder with everything built in.
 
Ciao Massimo:

I was kind of confused when I started using my 2816 but it's like mud in a rain -- the mud washes away. Experience with any recorder will help you get around a digital SIAB.

I guess if you wanted a mixing board, you could use one but it might be redundant, like the manuals.

When you say portable, I don't know how many bumps and knocks any one SIAB can take -- if you're careful, probably not an issue -- but the more you move a SIAB around, the more chances you take that someone will spill beer into your faders -- always a problem.

There is a site devoted to the AW16 which is easy to find. It is "supposed" to be easier to navigate than the 2816/4416. But, if you get in there and push the buttons and turn the jog wheel every day, the mud washes away. I just imported some wave files from a friend who tweaked the original tracks and it was pretty easy. Now I've learned another area of the 2816.

If you could get a hands on look at the different SIAB's, that would help.

Green Hornet:D :cool: :cool:
 
I guess you're right with practice everything becomes easier. I guess I'm afraid that it may not get easier. I have a Boss, DR5 drum machine that I hate to use because there's just too many steps just to produce a simple beat and pattern. I'd have to use it every day for a couple of hours just to get it down and then remember it and who has time for that. But maybe these recorders aren't as bad as my drum machine. I would hate to spend a 1000 bucks on something that gives me headaches to use. It's the fear of the unknown I guess. BTW what does SIABs stand for?
 
studio in a box ;)

and good luck with your search. i too, am on the hunt for a good siab. i think i have decided on the yammie aw16g...... but i keep hearing great things about the akai dps16 too though... hmph
 
Ciao Massimo:

Sounds like you're programming your drum machine? That takes forever. I've had three drum boxes and the current one is Boss 770 -- it has over 400 presets and the Latin ones are dynamite. It also has choice of ambience/rooms.

I use the presets -- a whole lot faster than programming.

What type of drum box are you using?

Best way to end a song unless you have four hands is to use the fade out method.

Automatic Craig already told you what SIAB was. A studio box is really a PC with a small screen and a moveable cursor. Some units can hook up a mouse too. Lots of folks are happy with the AW16 -- it's a brother to the Yam 4416/2816. Again, if you can visit a vendor and get a demo that will help you decide if that's the way you want to go.

There is also a great dedicated site for the AW16.

Green Hornet:D ;) :cool: :D
 
Hi Massimo,

As it happens I own, use and love my SIAB. There is a learing curve that varies from machine to machine, but if you're willing to leave the familiar comfort zone for a littlle while, then your new multi-tracker will become as familar as your current machine.

One reason these units take a little while to learn is they have SO MUCH capability! My Fostex VF160 is very intuitive, and yet it has tons of features I haven't even begun to crack. But right now it's doing all I ask, every time, and doing it well. Laying down tracks, mixing down, etc. can be learned very quickly.

All machines have their own idiosyncrasies, but you learn to love them (thereby making the prospect of changing more difficult). People swear by the Yamahas, and in time, you probably will too.
 
Go for it. You'll wonder how you ever managed without one.One of the great things about digital recorders is everything thing is right there.If you get an idea for a riff or a song, dial up a drum beat, plug a guitar in and you're recording , no dickin' around setting equiptment up.
 
Hey this is a great site! Thank you guys for replying. To answer you Green Hornet I'm using a Boss DR Rythm 660. I made a mistake in saying it was a DR 5. Anyway it does come with preset rythms that I use. Forget trying to create rythms, who wants to sit there for an hour splitting your head.

SIAB, Studio In A Box that about describes it. Well you guys are saying some positive things about them, which dissolves a little of my fears of getting one. I was thinking about getting a Tascam 488 MK ll eight track but I'm thinking the sound quality can't be that good on those little cassettes. Plus I'm already swimming in cassettes in my room. I still would love it if they put the mixer and knobs on the digital mixers.

I was thinking about the Boss BR-1180 but with only two inputs for recording, c'mon give me a break. If I could record at least four I would consider it. What about the Korg D1200 does anybody know if those are good and easy to use?
 
Massimo, I know what you mean, drum programming is a slow, tedious process.I like to find pre-programmed patterns that are close and then tweek them to fit, easier than starting from scratch I have a DR-670 and a drum machine built into my Zoom 1266.The DR is easier to program, but the Zoom sounds better.The nice thing about the 1266 is that, once something is recorded, while playing along with the drum machine, you can change the drum pattern and it stays sync'd to the recording.I have heard good many good things about the D1200 and D1600.I was going to get the D1600, but it was a little out of my price range at the time ($1,500).Good luck, Grinder
 
Massimo said:
I still would love it if they put the mixer and knobs on the digital mixers.
Click to expand...

http://www.fostex.co.jp/int/pages/products/dmer/fd8.htm :)
this thing is kind of an OLD fogy in the world of digital siabs now

i know what you mean about wanting all the knobs and faders on the front or "an analog front-end" as they say... let's see if one of those companies will eventually cater to those of us who don't enjoy fishing through menus on lcd screens just to turn the mid on a channel down a pinch...
 
Yeah, I was looking at these Fostex FD 8 machines on ebay. I love the set up of the mixing knobs all out in front. I was really considering getting one. Because of it's easy access to the mixer and other controls. But then I wasn't sure of the Fostex quality, plus I don't think they come with all the extras that the Yamahas do, like the built in effects and stuff. I'm thinking and hoping the trend of buring everything in these new SIABs will pass and that they will put the knobs back. Maybe if enough of us complain about it they'll listen. Because to tell you the truth that's the main thing that's stopping me from going out and buying one tomorrow. I just have a feeling I'm not going to like spinning the menu wheel just to adjust an EQ. It's rediculous really. I mean what are these guys thinking?

By the way GRINDER I've seen those Zooms advertised at Sam Ash. I've never really heard of them.
 
Massimo:

There is a fairly steep learning curve to these units. But, on the other hand, there is a steep learning curve to software DAW's, studio engineering, etc. My perspective is that steep learning curves are actually a good thing, since they often come with multiple features and controls. Plus, you won't run out of new things to investigate and learn.

How to tackle the steep learning curve? Befor you buy, download a copy of the manual and spend a couple of days learning the logic of the recorder. I did this with my Fostex VF-16 and it really paid off. Second, if you are really unsure, pick a recorder with a good online users group. When I started with the VF16, I became somewhat frustrated with the basic recording setup and Fostex's inability to write a decent manual. My frustration ended quickly, however, when I found VF16.com. They offered a "quickstart guide" that made sense of the manual and an archive of user comments and questions about specific issues.
 
Thanks dwillis, great idea!

Where can I download a manual for the yamaha aw16g at?
 
Ciao Massimo:

Go to the AW16 site.

I think it's AW16.com

You'll get plenty of information there and you will enjoy the digital box. This is especially true when you record 1/2 tracks and want to go back for the next one: like, it's push the return button, and, Voila -- your there.

Green Hornet:p :D
 
Thanks Green

Yeah, I looked it up. What do you mean recording a 1/2 track?
 
Massimo:

1/2 track = you are recording one or two tracks at a time.

When I do a song and I'm doing the music, I usually record the drums and chords -- put them on separate tracks. Can be track 3 or track 4 or tracks 3 and 7 == kind of a choice. With the 2816 I can use inputs 1 or 2 and direct my tracks wherever I want them or take one input to track 1 and route it to tracks 3 and 4.

Excuse my ambiguity.

Green Hornet:D :cool: ;) :cool:
 
Ah ok, I see.

Hey I was checking out the MP3 section here and there's some talented folks around here. I thought I was the only one haha.
All this undiscovered talent. I'll post a song of mine eventually for critique.
 
relating to what's been discussed so far:
: does the Fostex VF16 have that problem of not having real knobs and sliders on the face? I saw some pictures of it on the web and I thought I remembered there being some kind of console on it.
: and does anyone who's been following this have thoughts on the Korg D16?
 
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