N
NSimon
New member
I’m looking into multi-track recorders as a first foray into home recording. Specifically, I’m trying to decide among the following units :
Fostex VF-160; Tascam 788 (version 2.0.2); Akai DPS16 (version 3.0); Korg D1200; Yamaha AW16G.
I’d be getting the associated CDRW as well. Ideally I’d like to get the one that would remain most useful to me for longest as I progress. I have some specific questions below, but would appreciate any input.
All of these models can : record a wav file, burn a CD, have at least a 20GB hard drive (or be easily expandable to 20 GB or more); record at least 10 tracks total and 4 simultaneously. I can get them (used or on sale) for $700- $1000.
Specific Questions:
1) How would these rate in the quality and ease of use of their on-board editing/ mastering facilities ?
2) In case I eventually outgrow the capabilities of the onboard editing facilities, how do these machines rate as far as simplicity of dumping the information to a computer ? Offhand I would think the Fostex unit would rate highest here, since it has ADAT I/O. However I don’t know how the available adapter cards would work with my PC. My computer will not be solely dedicated to audio recording , and is running Windows XP home.
3) Which of these allow me to bypass their preamp/ mixer circuitry most completely, to the extent I’m using outboard Behringer mixer/preamps or better ? Which of these sounds good using an outboard preamp, even though you can’t bypass their circuitry?
4) I would think that the use of an optional foot pedal or remote control would be helpful for recording and punching in while I’m operating by myself. Is this correct? I don’t believe the Yamaha has this feature.
5) Which of these are not noisy- i.e. whatever self-noise they may have does not find itself on the recordings, even when using good microphones and preamps?
6) Do any of these produce better sounding recordings than others, when using good outboard preamps and microphones? If so, which are better units in this regard?
7) On the surface, the Korg unit would seem to be among the least capable, yet it is among the most expensive. What am I missing, besides the 40mb hard drive?
8) What other considerations are relevant that I have not touched on?
9) Is there someplace else I should be asking these questions?
Background (Feel free to skip; I’ve noticed some people want to know this)
I’m a solo amateur musician (singer/songwriter type stuff, possibly with duo; occasionally add bass and/or keyboard). who would be operating the recording equipment while I play. I anticipate recording no more than 4 inputs at a time, but I might on occasion wind up with 8 tracks potentially. I have a Behringer mixer that I’ll use for the preamps. I currently have Sm58 and Peavey 580TN microphones ; I’ll upgrade preamps and microphones over time if all goes well. I’d eventually like to make the best quality recordings I can, to make CDs to give to family friends, but at this point I’m just trying to get my feet wet.
I had an initial skirmish with recording to my computer that was not successful. I may come back to this eventually, but do not prefer for now to be tied down to recording to my very noisy computer in that one particular room.
I may ask a separate question about the computer route at a later time, but for now I’d like to limit this thread to the choice among these specific models.
Fostex VF-160; Tascam 788 (version 2.0.2); Akai DPS16 (version 3.0); Korg D1200; Yamaha AW16G.
I’d be getting the associated CDRW as well. Ideally I’d like to get the one that would remain most useful to me for longest as I progress. I have some specific questions below, but would appreciate any input.
All of these models can : record a wav file, burn a CD, have at least a 20GB hard drive (or be easily expandable to 20 GB or more); record at least 10 tracks total and 4 simultaneously. I can get them (used or on sale) for $700- $1000.
Specific Questions:
1) How would these rate in the quality and ease of use of their on-board editing/ mastering facilities ?
2) In case I eventually outgrow the capabilities of the onboard editing facilities, how do these machines rate as far as simplicity of dumping the information to a computer ? Offhand I would think the Fostex unit would rate highest here, since it has ADAT I/O. However I don’t know how the available adapter cards would work with my PC. My computer will not be solely dedicated to audio recording , and is running Windows XP home.
3) Which of these allow me to bypass their preamp/ mixer circuitry most completely, to the extent I’m using outboard Behringer mixer/preamps or better ? Which of these sounds good using an outboard preamp, even though you can’t bypass their circuitry?
4) I would think that the use of an optional foot pedal or remote control would be helpful for recording and punching in while I’m operating by myself. Is this correct? I don’t believe the Yamaha has this feature.
5) Which of these are not noisy- i.e. whatever self-noise they may have does not find itself on the recordings, even when using good microphones and preamps?
6) Do any of these produce better sounding recordings than others, when using good outboard preamps and microphones? If so, which are better units in this regard?
7) On the surface, the Korg unit would seem to be among the least capable, yet it is among the most expensive. What am I missing, besides the 40mb hard drive?
8) What other considerations are relevant that I have not touched on?
9) Is there someplace else I should be asking these questions?
Background (Feel free to skip; I’ve noticed some people want to know this)
I’m a solo amateur musician (singer/songwriter type stuff, possibly with duo; occasionally add bass and/or keyboard). who would be operating the recording equipment while I play. I anticipate recording no more than 4 inputs at a time, but I might on occasion wind up with 8 tracks potentially. I have a Behringer mixer that I’ll use for the preamps. I currently have Sm58 and Peavey 580TN microphones ; I’ll upgrade preamps and microphones over time if all goes well. I’d eventually like to make the best quality recordings I can, to make CDs to give to family friends, but at this point I’m just trying to get my feet wet.
I had an initial skirmish with recording to my computer that was not successful. I may come back to this eventually, but do not prefer for now to be tied down to recording to my very noisy computer in that one particular room.
I may ask a separate question about the computer route at a later time, but for now I’d like to limit this thread to the choice among these specific models.
