Standalone digital recorder or computer?

[seratone]

In an attempt to set up a half decent Digital Audio workstation I’m getting bogged down trying to get my controllers to control VST devices without latency and getting Sonar, Cubase and Reason figured out. I realized that perhaps I should go the simpler route of getting a standalone recording device.

I have a Behringer 2222, two keyboards, a couple of Pods for guitar and bass and vocals.

Can anyone suggest a stand alone digital recording device that can record all these in Stereo (assuming I wont need a unit with a mixer serring I have the Behringer)…

I wouldn’t mind spending less than 1000$

I guess I’d need about 16 Tracks…a couple of used ADAT’?, is there anything similar out there?

 

[gvarko]

Keep it simple

Sounds like you are going overboard with the DAW. Why not start simple with Cakewalk or something until you have it all figured out...

 

[tjohnston]

If you are very patient you can get a couple of used adats on ebay for cheap. You have to know how to play the game of course.

 

[minofifa]

...

may i ask why you have both cubase and sonar?? maybe there are conflicts in programs. Also what kind of computer are you running? maybe you could put that 1000 into processor/ram upgrades. I just say this becuase it may be easier to integrate your stuff with reason and sonar and whatnot ont he comp. you may have more options this way.

 

[craig2197]

have you ever thought of getting an mbox and using protools? they're only two channels, so you won't be able to record all your tracks at once, but unless you're recording live you wouldn't really need to anyway. they're only 400-500 bucks and they come with pro tools LE. i'm a songwriter and i'm thinking about getting one so i'll have an easy way to put down songs with my laptop almost anywhere i want. i don't know if it will work with cubase, but it might, so you might want to look into that.

craig

 

[MichaelM]

I'm a fan of Sonar 2.2
I have a HoonTech C-Port and I've been very happy with it so far. The preamps on it are fairly crappy but I'm not using them so it doesn't worry me.

After studying all the standalone recorders I figured you can setup a much more flexible system using a PC. You can then get pretty much any other gear you want to use.

BTW, I'm a drummer so I wanted to be able to record more than just 2 tracks at once, which rules out a lot of the lower end standalone recorders.

 

[reel buzzer]

how about a stand alone analog recorder? Used equipment of course.

 

[fruney]

Wow! amazing! Not a single person has even attempted to answer this guy's question. Good work.

 

[joekodiak]

I'd recommend a stand-alone unit. You should be able to get 16 tracks for under $1000. I have a few friends that love the Yamaha (AW16 I think?) and there's the Korg D1200 MKII that has 12 tracks. Both have CD burners.

One friend uses the AW16 to do the tracks then mixes on his PC, I'm not sure with what.

Tascam just came out with a 24 track stand-alone unit if you can squeak out $400 more!

How about that Fruney-do I win?

 

[reel buzzer]

Before you get that AW16G you might want to read stuff at this link: http://forum.aw16g.com/

And go to the retail store and actually touch one of these things, it's very plastic like legos connected to a hard drive.

ADAT's are great, less to figure out, but if you use more than one then you need to get the BRC remote control. Ebay will have all this.

 

[gvarko]

Wow!

Wow! amazing! Not a single person has even attempted to answer this guy's question. Good work.

And neither did you wise ass....

 

[Trumpspade]

I have a Zoom 1266 standalone 10 track (After bouncing, I can get in excess of 24), Gateway 700 series pc upgraded with newer soundcard (can't tell you exactly, I am at work and can't remember what type), (2) hardrives, Reason 2.5, Fruity Loops, and Sonar.
I record and mix Reason tracks through Sonar, Then I transfer all my Instrumentals to the Zoom 1266 and I record my vocals and add effects and mix it there.
When complete, I transfer it back to my PC for my Final mixing and it works for me.
This may seem a bit long for some, but I've done it that way from day one and it works for me. I think that is the Main focus, after trying different scenarios, do what works for you......
The day I stopped trying to emulate others and find my own style, was the day I raised eyebrows because it was an original approach!!

Feel me



Trizza

 

[jfrog]

For $800 you can get a brand spankin' new Fostex VF160 digital recorder with built in CDR. I got the little brother, the VF08 off of ebay for $300, and they're tape-deck simple to use with all of the advantages of digital. Unlike ADAT, there's no tape rewind (it records to a 3.5" hard drive)

If you go over to the Fostex forum and ask how people like their VF's, I'm sure you'll get a lot of positive responses.

JR

 

[reel buzzer]

Fostex

Yeah that's nice that it works like a tape machine.
Just get right down to business.