Tascam vs. Roland vs. Computer system

[Gomotron]

I am looking to create a mid-range home studio for recording keyboard and percussion tracks (with a little vocal stuff tossed in every now and again).

Although I have a relatively generous budget with which to work, I place a premium on ease-of-use and space.

Given these considerations, I have been looking at the Tascam SX-1 as well as the Roland VS2480HD. Does anyone have experience using either of these systems, and do they have comments on which of these two is the better system?

Also, I know that bang-for-the-buck-wise, I'd probably be best off buying a dedicated computer system for my recording needs, but as it is I have too many computers (Windows-based) as it is, and buying yet another computer to put into another room gives me the heeby-jeebies. Still, I am willing to hear what people have to say about computer based digital recording vs. the standalone units.

I just like the idea of a complete studio-in-a-box instead of patching together a bunch of separate components.

FYI I am building around the base of a Kurzweil K2600XS keyboard and a pair of Mackie 824 monitors.

Thanks for your input.

 

[BrettB]

I'm gonna answer with the familiar 'do a search'. Not that I am lazy, but the products you mention are all discussed many times, and also the whole PC vs. standalone debate. It all depends what you need, and typing you info about that would cost me heaps of time

Don't hesitate to ask some more specific questions.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo GOMO:

You forgot the Yamaha 2816 or 4416. From what I've read here, I don't think the Roland product is any easier to operate than the 2816.

The CD burning part of the 2816 is pretty easy and there is a site devoted to the 2816 which Jeffrey will jump in and tell you about or you can find it on the net.

The other parts of operation of the 2816 are not too difficult if you have some experience with a SIAB -- if not, then you have to read and read the manual and get help on a site. I like the sound quality of the 2816 and once you have a bunch of tunes on the hard drive, it's a piece of cake to select ten tunes and push the "execute" button and, Voila, in 40 minutes, out pops your CDR or CDRW. And, if you burn a second copy, it's faster since the image track/test is all done the first time around.

But, as the other post said, look, ask, read, and, if you can, get a demo of all of the units and decide which one gets your money.

Green Hornet

 

[darrin_h2000]

Go for the Akai. forget those others.

 

[Jblount]

I will pose a similar question....
"I want to go somewhere, should I buy a 1993 Ford Aerostar minivan, a 2003 Chevy Corvette, or a 1999 Dodge Ram Quadcab? The point isnt about budget, its about purpose. If all you are going to do is go to the grocery store, then get the van, if you are showing off on interstate doing 150, get the corvette, if you are offroading through the mudd, the get the ram. It is all about what are you going to do with this piece of equipment, where are you going to do it at, how fast do you want to accomplish the task, and do you want to look cool while doing it?