Yamaha AW16G or Boss 1600CD

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deepwater

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I'm don't know which one to get - Yamaha AW16G or Boss 1600CD

Both have great reviews and specs. I guess I can't go wrong.


Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
I was faced with a similar choice, and finally decided in favor of the AW16G.

I've never felt a pang of regret.

The AW16G, IMHO, is the more professional feeling of the two. It's better built and the onboard effects are more realistic.

They'll pry mine from my cold dead hands.
 
I agree that you can't go wrong - they are both good. The AW16G has a rather clunky interface - it really frustrates me sometimes, and of course the Boss has 8 XLR inputs compared with the Yammie's 2.

If you haven't already, look at the Recording 101 guide and the FAQ articles here:
http://www.aw16g.com/articles.html and see if you can compare how that feels with the Boss.
 
Deep, you might want to include the Sound-On-Sound mag reviews in your research before deciding. Such reviews are always suspect, of course, but I though the mag did a pretty good job of highighting the pros and cons of each machine. Most telling, overall, might be the frustration the reviewers felt with the Boss when trying to accomplish basic-studio tasks and techniques. The Boss line, they state, for targets the recording musician who just wants things to be easy and doesn't really need the depth of possibilities that a more knowledgeable recording musician might desire. Thus, the review raises the point that the revierers actually had a hard time evaluating the Boss unit since they knew too much (i.e., they aren't part of the Boss's target market, and it was hard for them to get in that space). In other words, the Boss seemed to do a great job at what it does--unless you already know too much, which can lead to frustration.

They found the Yammie, on the other hand, to be more of a straight-ahead box with features familiar to studio-wise folks, mearning that a steeper learning curve (than the Boss) is involved for newbies. But they've also called the Yammie, on several occasions, "the leader of the sub-$1000 stand-alones."

Well, you can read the reviews yourself if you're interested.

Good luck,

P.S. After reading everything I could find and actually trying my top contenders in shops, I opted for the 16G and couldn't be happier with it. When I need more, I head to my local studio.
 
I'm adding one of those to my current setup so I can have something more mobile for tracking out and about. I think I'm leaning toward the Boss because of the 8 xlr inputs. I have an Alesis HD24, Sonar and DDX3216 plus other pres which I can use for editing and stuff.

Is there away to digital transfer files to my PC or HD24 with the Boss 1600?

I've never had so much trouble with what to purchase. I'l really stuck. I could buy both and return the one I don't want.
 
I've owned an AW16G for a while now and really love the thing.
I'm still pretty green when it comes to recording, but I was recording basic stuff right out of the box.

Also, with the "G", there's a big online community here:
http://forum.dijonstock.com/index.php

The old aw16g.com site seems like it's about to close down from what I hear so the Dijonstock boards are where all the members are posting nowadays. If you have any questions do a search or ask them there, you'll find all sorts of info!

You can go there and check out some recordings done on the G by the members. Cool stuff.




I've got some stuff here:
http://www.purevolume.com/sloanstewart

All of those are recordings that were basically thown together in a few hours.

The first one (alien rap thing) used the G's onboard drum loops. The bass and guitar were direct into the inputs. The vocals were recorded with a cheap Nady CM-88. All effects are from the aw16g.

The second song (Gold Star) was based on a drum machine that I had recorded for some reason. The whole track was made to show some of the versatility of the Fender Cyclone II guitar. Every other instrument there is that guitar, even the bass line. The "bass line" and the wah solo thing were done with a mic'ed amp using the Nady cm-88 in my bedroom. The other sounds were direct. A Zoom GFX-707 (cheapy!) was used for all effects. I think I used some onboard reverb as well, not sure.

The third song (Afternoon Drive) was just me messing around some more.
Main guitar and drum machine were acutally running through amps that I recorded with one CM-88. The other guitar parts were done direct with onboard reverb applied.

All these are roughly mixed with some cheap headphones so they're not the best but they kind of show what someone who has never recorded before can do with a few hours.
 
'Can't really offer more than what you have already been given here. The AW16g is SUPERB. I love this machine, and have had not even the SLIGHTEST REGRET over purchasing it.

Very WISE move for me.
 
Try ZOOM too

You may want to look at zoom units also there was a write up in recording magazine on the 1608 last month and good reviews on the 1266 (which I have) at harmony central. I have used the 1266 for about a year and am very pleased with it. It offers a few more features than the Boss or Yamaha and a little cheaper. I love the programmable drums. I have a couple of songs you can check out to get an idea of the sound quality. These were recorded with me just plugging straight into the ZOOM and mixing down their mastering effects.honedawg
 
I went with the G after much research based on

1. No data compression on the G.
2. 32 bit converters even though it will only store at 16 bit.

I wanted to give a shout out to ssscientist. It is good to know you are a fellow G-Man ;) I finally got the layering thing working with the Oxygen 8 and FL Studio for drums but it sounds like the FL5 live drum addtion thing will make the layering thing not so neccessary.

Deepwater go with the G! It sounds amazing through my new Diamond Pro Wharfdales! We can keep in touch on the Dijonstock AW16G site as well too.

:)
 
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It's like a G-love fest here... that says something. Seeing you fellow G'ers
warms my heart and reminds me of all the help I've received (and given) at the friendly G forum during the past two years. That great forum is indeed something to consider when choosing a machine.

Best,

J.
 
I think I'm going with the AW16G. I watched the Roland Demo on the BR1600 and its nice but I felt it was geared toward the musician. I just want to track other people and record which is what the AW16G seems to be geared for. I may get a used AW2816 or AW4416

What is the differance between the AW2816 and AW16G?
 
Make sure you check EBAY!

I got mine there for $700 with the carrying case. Mint condition.
Nice deal I say.
 
What is the differance between the AW2816 and AW16G?
Click to expand...

Deepwater,

I was originally going for the 2816 but decided it would take too long to save up for and mihgt be a little overkill for my needs...but from what I remember the 2816 adds;

1. 24 bit recording (still without compression).
2. Mix automation with motorized faders.
3. I am not sure on this one but I think it may also be capable of recording 16 tracks at once recording while the AW16G is limited to recording 8 at once tracks.

Green Hornet is an avid 2816 user and very helpful...You out there Green Winged recording machine? Maybe you can buzz in to give Deepwater some more information.
 
I think the 8 tracks in recording on the AW16g will be fine because I have an HD24 for larger projects. I did read that the wave transfer is only 16 bit is that true.
 
deepwater, how does a comparable Wharfedale mixer compare to the Yamaha?
 
David,

I sent Green Hornet a PM regarding this thread so hopefully he can drop in and awnser a few questions on the 2816 but as far as I know the main differences are as I described wiht 24 versus 16 bit storage and the motorized faders.

The G is capable of a limited type of mix automation using scenes.

You can do a search on this at the dijonstock website but you can have a number of scenes per song where you can specify different track setting changes at points in time.

No motorized fader or gradual level changes but you can definitely preset a level for each tracks at the beginning of a verse, chorus bridge etc and even switch to virtual tracks by saving the settings as a scene.

This is mainly a mixing function and you may be planning on moving everything to your PC set up for that so I don't know if using scenes would be a benefit to you or not.
 
Thanks Scooter -

I'm going to try an snag a used AW16G off ebay.


Pop in the thread on Wharfedale mixers. Some guy is trying to say that Wharfedale and Behringer are on the same level.
 
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Yes, the 16G has no automated faders (but it does have scene memory of 100 scenes), and it's 16-bit rather than 24. But the 16G does have a few features, which I like, not found on the 2816: a sampler with importable data and dedicated knobs for quick adjustment of EQ, dynamics, effects (1 & 2), and pan. I use these knobs (both push-pull and dial) constantly since they save time and avoid heavy screen-scrolling.

Most important of all, though, is the G's smooth brushed aluminum casing, which I can't keep my hands off. Pure luxury--I'd never realized how tired I am of plastic. OK, not a big deal, but a a nice touch, nonetheless.

Best,

J.
 
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