Yamaha AW4416

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13th_Omen

13th_Omen

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I am thinking about getting a Yamaha AW4416 instead of the Tascam SX-1 (I want the Tascam but the $$ is too high). Anyone have any experience with this unit? I have researched it a lot and it seems that if I get the card to add 8 more TRS inputs then I will be able to record 16 tracks at once. But will the added inputs be routed to the faders? I want to be able to use the 16 faders for the sixteen inputs for mixing, automation, and the such. Any insight?
 
13th

I have the unit but I only ever record one or two sources at a time - I know there are 8 busses, so 8 at a time, no prob - sure you could do 16 if you had the input card, just not sure how - bit beyond me - go to AW4416 and ask them - lots of helpful people on that board that know the machine better than me.

My assumption is that there's not much point selling expansion input boards if you could hook them up to the recorders 16 faders, but ask the guys on the board.

Cheers

Armistice
 
Its a great tool, l know of a mastering engineer who said some of the best indie records he has mastered came off the 4416.

SoMm


get the Waves add on card too.
 
I am really concerened about having 16 semitaneous tracks at once (i have 9 drum mics) and being able to do 16 tracks of automation... all on the sliders! Anyone know about this?
 
You can do 16 all at once on record but you have to make sure you don't gave more than 2 mic requiring phantom power, if so you can get an 8 channel phantom power mic device. If your using all dynamics your good to go.
All 16 faders are fully automated for mixdown, but your not going to need that for tracking.


SoMm
 
I am going to use the mixer that I have currently as a pre... and just run direct outs to the 4416. I know I need to get the My8-1/4" card to get the extra inputs. I guess I am just concerned about where those extra 8 inputs are routed (to faders 9-16?)
 
I own a 4416

Hi...

I own a 4416 and recently purchased the card to add the 8 analog inputs. I got this card as a matter of convenience and not really necessity, because (being a basically remedial person) it simplifies my signal routing. Having 16 tracks but only 8 analog inputs means switching things around frequently. But now with 16 analog inputs and 16 tracks I can route each input to its own track and forget about it. To further simplify my setup I have created templates (yamaha calls them "scenes" in the 4416) so when I record a new song on the 4416 I use the same channel each time for each specific instrument. By setting up a scene which can be saved and then recalled very easily, each channel can have its own EQ settings, dynamics, effects, etc all ready to go when I load the template. My plans for the additional analog card is that it will allow me to leave my drum machine connected right in to inputs 9 thru 16. One drawback to the added card is that there are no preamps on each input, so each input is line level only and not switchable between mic and line level as is the case on inputs 1 thru 8. I LOVE my 4416 and think you probably would love one too. Having owned it for 5 months, knowing what it can do, and considering the cost compared to the tascam, the 4416 is a better choice.

Good Luck !!!
 
I had the AW4416 for three months but I got rid of it mainly for three reasons. The first reason was that it would cost too much to add another 8 mic inputs to it and the second reason was that it was too damn heavy and bulky to move around so I decided that I might as well build a PC based system. The third reason was that it was so slooooowww to transfer tracks from AW4416 to computer by burning backup CD's.

Now I have my new system running and it consists of an AMD xp2600 CPU with 512MB memory, 120 GB HD and DVD burner built into an old rack server case that is stuffed in a 6 unit SKB case along with two new Behringer ADA8000 8 channel mic preamps with AD/DA-converters that are connected to the computer thru RME Digi 9652 soundcard's ADAT interfaces. The whole computer system costs about the same that hat I got from selling the AW4416 and it's capable of recording from 16 mic or line level sources simultaneously and it's even easier to carry around that the AW4416. At the moment I'm looking for a cheap 15" LCD TFT monitor to replace the CRT motnitor . For future expansoin there's still one ADAT interface unused on the soundcard for another 8 inputs. For recording software I use the n-Track Studio and freeware effects plugins found on the web.
 
Well, I don't have the three reasons you have:

1. I don't need mic pres so I'm just gonna need the 8 1/4" card.
2. I don't plan on moving it all that much, so it being heavy is actually a good thing! (it won't move around and stuff)
3. I don't see the need to transfer tracks to the computer.

The reason I want to get the AW4416 is because I don't want to use a PC. I want a way to do tracking, mixing, and automation. The automation is pretty cool on the 4416, as far as I have read. I have downloaded the manual and am reading up on this bad boy. It seems to be pretty loaded!

To further simplify my setup I have created templates (yamaha calls them "scenes" in the 4416) so when I record a new song on the 4416 I use the same channel each time for each specific instrument.
Click to expand...

I like this idea a lot!!

Does anyone know about the built in metronome? I was wondering if I can record it on say track 16 for a click track.
 
You can route the metronome wherever you like, the AW4416 is very configurable - so you can record it to a track or, like I do, you just route it to a track and record whatever it is you're recording without recording the actualy click.

Cheers
 
Cool. My drummer wants to be able to record it to check out whether he got out of time at all. I was just not able to find out if I could do this from the manual. So it seems that this puppy is very flexible and funtionable. I'm sold!:)
 
I would go instead of you for the Roland VS-2400
which has 24 tracks and connects to a monitor with a mouse
and also has superb effects

or, I will go the AKAI DSP24 route wich offers inserts
and really profesional like
 
I would go instead of you for the Roland VS-2400
Click to expand...

I don't know... why does it do 16 semutaneous tracks, but only 12 faders, and 8 mic pres? Seems a little hoky to me. I do wish the Yamaha had a VGA output but besides that and the extra tracking capabilites of the Rolad, I still think the Yamaha is a better buy for the buck. I could always get the waves card as well and add 8 ADAT tracks if I really need to (i doubt).
 
I don't want to get into a pissing match about this, but the AW4416 has channel inserts on 1 and 2, you can connect a mouse to it (but not a monitor).

I recall looking at a Roland 24 track before buying my AW, and I think I recall that it used one of the two effects auxilliaries for dynamics, effectively leaving you one. Could be wrong, but worth checking out. AW has dynamics on each channel and 2 effects aux as well.

Like others I liked having one fader for every track - that was one of the main things I had against the Roland, and besides, I need to be physically stopped from putting too many tracks on things. Now that I have sixteen I have a tendency to try to use them all - this is not always a good thing! ;)
 
We need a Yamha forum!!

I have an old MX200-16 mixing conole that I use for a pre to my soon to be AW4416. I doubt many people use this board but it would be fun to shoot the shit with people who might have had some experience with it.

Now that I have sixteen I have a tendency to try to use them all - this is not always a good thing!
Click to expand...

I won't really have a problem filling 16 tracks:

1-9 = drum mics

10,11 = vocals

12,13 = guitar

14, 15= bass

16 = probably another guitar or vocal part
 
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