16 Track Recording Options
Consider the price of two BR-1600CD units plus the two cables you need - that adds up to roughly $2500.
How else would you achieve this solution given a budget of $2500?
1. Presuming you already have a portable high end computer available, you probably can just purchase audio interfaces capable of recording 16 tracks, plus all the preamps needed (if necessary). Better make sure the interfaces (if there are multiple ones) can be synchronized. However, my experience with this is that it requires a fair bit of configuration and optimization to prepare a computer to handle recording this many tracks simultaneously.
2. A recent option has just become available -
the PreSonus StudioLive mixer has the capability (for $2000) of recording 16 simultaneous tracks however it requires you to have a computer with a firewire interface and (likely) a firewire drive. Possible if you already have a MAC book.
3. Another option would be the Alesis HD24 24-track recorder ($1600) plus you'll need preamps in addition - a cheap 8 channel preamp like the SM Pro Audio E84 or a mixer with direct outs. Again you'll need a computer for mixdown.
4. A Roland VS-2480 is an option if you can find it for less than $2400.
Do you know any other alternatives? Please list them if you do.
From a got-nothing except microphnoes/cables perspective, the Dual BR-1600CD solution still presents an attractive option since it doesn't require the use of a computer and you can purchase second-hand BR-1600CDs fairly inexpensively.
