| Author |
Topic: Digital recorders |
rpetersen
From:
Iowa
|
Posted 6 Mar 2003 10:10 am |
|
Am thinking about getting a digital recorder - Probably 8 track - What I would like to do is get one with good drums built in - Would be nice to have some effects also - I can add Steel, Etc. along with vocals. I would also like to be able to burns CD's with it.
Thoughts from Y'all???
------------------
Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
|
|
|
|
Brad Burch
|
|
|
|
David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
Posted 6 Mar 2003 11:42 am
|
|
| I just looked at that Boss BR1180CD. Very interesting unit. I haven't had my hands on it, but it seems as complete a songwriters studio in a box that I could want. Records two tracks so you can get stereo sounds for acoustic instruments. And a internal rhythmn section I can't tell about the programing aspects. But this should be looked at pretty closely. On the face a very interesting machine. |
|
|
|
rpetersen
From:
Iowa
|
Posted 10 Mar 2003 5:05 pm
|
|
That does look like an interesting recorder!!
------------------
Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
|
|
|
|
Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted 10 Mar 2003 9:24 pm
|
|
| Korg D1200 is state of the art. It beats Boss hands down. |
|
|
|
DroopyPawn
From:
Fox, OK, USA
|
Posted 10 Mar 2003 9:51 pm
|
|
Don't spend another dime until you thoroughly check out computer based recording.
Let me know if you need any help getting started.
gs
------------------
|
|
|
|
Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
|
Posted 11 Mar 2003 3:04 am
|
|
I suppose that we all have our favorite brand of Steel and I guess it's no different when it comes to recorders.
Here is my opinion..take it at face value.
I have owned and recorded with full blown home 8 track/ 32 channel PC based midi systems, ( Cakewalk Pro ) standalone huge 8 track decks and now the little 14 inch by 10 inch workstation which replaces all that stuff.
I think all the Workstations are fine in the around $1000 range, or less. There may be a big difference in the learning curve based on previous experience.
IF you have lots of tenure recording with gadgets and stuff they will all be way more than acceptable, if you do not have lots of
home recording experience then I would say that the BOSS units are the easiest to use and layed out very simply. And it's worth adding that the manuals are very good as well.
I personally use an older Boss BR8 that I got off of EBAY for $400, I could not be more pleased. 8 tracks , full effects and a simple drum track. Very fine clean results.
The Boss machines are designed for the one man recording process with built in chromatic tuner as well. These machines can clearly give you a very fine quality recording which blows the home 4 track and 8 track tape machines off the planet.
The newer Boss units have the drum machine and CD built in, I am not certain I would want that. I still feel that keeping Drums and CD separate from the "MEAT" recorder is the right thing. But that being said, they are still very easy to use and give fine results.
The Korg , Yamaha , Fostex and Tascam units are also top shelf and in some cases will require a tad more understanding of the recording and button pushing process. But they may offer a bit more in the recording options such as multiple tracks at the same time.
If what you want to do is record one track at a time and build a song, then the Boss units would be perfect as thats what they are intended for. If you really desire or need recording multiple tracks at the same time look beyond Boss.
Like everything else we discuss here, it really gets down to what your intentions are with the unit.
The trick is to use a machine which allows you to focus on playing rather than getting wrapped up on the gadget.
For the most part they all record with 16 bit processing ( some at 24 ) and are CD ready at 44.1 khz. Keep in mind for the past 10 years or so you have been listening to CD's digitally recorded at 16 bit processing, before that they were analog tape..before that...
You see..things have progressed pretty nicely for us.
My thoughts on PC based units really differ than many of the Forumites. Are the PC software packages good ? You bet..And the results are good as well. Professional.
BUT...
PC's are not portable, and they can be awkward to work with while being a one man show unless you specifically designed your music room around the PC. More often than not, outboard effects ,mics and processors will be the key to higher quality results. Wires, soundcards and PC monitors are a major source of unwanted noise if you are not paying attention.
PC based systems are excellent, but just be aware that they are not as simple to play and record with as a standalone workstation.
Like I metioned above, it gets back to your intentions.
Good luck
tp
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 11 March 2003 at 03:13 AM.] |
|
|
|
David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
Posted 11 Mar 2003 3:48 am
|
|
Tony I must respectfully amend one point. For the last 10 years we have been listening to Cd's at 16 bit, but much or most of the recording was done at 20 or 24 bit, for the top albums at least. Then dithered down to 16 bit in the mastering prccess. A big difference in sound between a straight 16 bit to 16 bit recording.
As far as seperating CD and Drum tracks.
Integrated drums wll give you a quick way to a much better feel, especially if it is easily programmed and has a good retard alogrhythm for those endings. It is a plus on a small system. And you can just ignore it if you want.
A integrated CD is wonder full if you can swap it out when it wears out.
An all in one box has strong benifits, portablity and autonomy being high on the list. So if you like it and it does the job your need without draining your musiciallity at the same time. Get it.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 11 March 2003 at 03:53 AM.] |
|
|
|
Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
|
Posted 12 Mar 2003 4:14 am
|
|
Donald, I don't disagree whatsoever.
The reason I mentioned about the Drum machine such as the one with the BR1180 is that those that use it and discuss it on the Boss forums just say it's very awkward to use as compared to some of the standalones. Not intuitive at all like the actual recorder. But awkward is subjective. Some may find it a breeze and some may never learn how to use it. Concerning the CD, my feeling is you are paying extra bucks for a locked in unit, I think the standalone burners are probably lees money and offer the same or better quality. And if the one on board breaks, ? Now what ?
I still say, get the machine you want and pay no attention to the peanut gallery.
tp |
|
|
|
rpetersen
From:
Iowa
|
Posted 12 Mar 2003 5:43 am
|
|
Thanx for the input - Great thoughts - In regards to the drum machine, I guess if it is on the machine doesn't mean you have to use it, but you can, as long as it doesn't effect the cost that much. I'd like to hear a little more about External CD burners that anyone might be using, an can they be patched into the Boss 1180 or others. I'm also a little concerned about having one built in if there is a problem.
thanx.......Ron
------------------
Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
|
|
|
|
Alan Kirk
From:
Scotia, CA, USA
|
Posted 12 Mar 2003 6:30 am
|
|
In the 1980s I used to make a living as a recording engineer, recording mainly to 2" tape.
In the 1990s I used to struggle with recording to my computer hard drive, dealing with the hum from the monitor, the noise from the fan, the random crash, having to operate a mouse from across the room.
In the year 2003 I bought a Yamaha AW2816 Digital Audio Workstation. I have never been happier with my recording setup. It is the most convenient setup I've ever worked with. Convenience = conducive to creativity. Instead of futzing around with sound cards and monitors and mice and whatnot, I push a couple buttons on the AW2816 and I'm recording. The best creative tool is the one that doesn't get in your way.
For $1,800 I got what would have cost me $50,000 in the 1980s. (You can get a 16-track AW16G, the baby brother of the AW2816, for about $900)
Yes, there's a learning curve. At first, things can be frustrating. You get over that.
In my experience, computer-based recording systems are noisy, cumbersome and inconvenient. They need to be in another room with another person operating them.
I'll never go back.[This message was edited by Alan Kirk on 12 March 2003 at 06:42 AM.] |
|
|
|
RickRichtmyer
From:
Beautiful Adamstown, MD
|
Posted 12 Mar 2003 8:09 am
|
|
Having spent a number of years fooling around with multi-track recording equipment, starting with a Teac 3340s four-track, then a Tascam Model 38 8 track, followed by a Roland VS-880 8 track digital recorder and now a Roland VS-1824CD 18 track digital recorder, I'd go with the dedicated hard drive recorder over anything else. As previously mentioned, portability is wonderful and you're dealing with a whole piece of integrated equipment that's dedicated to one purpose.
------------------
Rick Richtmyer
Sugarloaf Recording
Good News
|
|
|
|
rpetersen
From:
Iowa
|
Posted 16 Mar 2003 6:46 am
|
|
I think I'm leaning more toward keeping the CD burner and drum tracks in separate units - What is a good drum machine that you can patch into a recorder like a Tascam 788 (or whatever) - if anyone has any suggestions. I Want mostly a good country sound with some variables.
Also - with todays recorders, can you start a project on any of them - put them on a CD to free up the hard drive to do something else and come back to them later to add to the project??
------------------
Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
|
|
|
|
Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 16 Mar 2003 10:00 am
|
|
I use a Boss DR660 with my Tascam 788.
There's a great user support forum for the 788 here. A SEARCH there will provide a lot of info on your questions.
I'm sure there's other good digital recorders, but I like the 788 a lot. Their forum is an excellent resource.
[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 16 March 2003 at 10:04 AM.] |
|
|
|
Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 16 Mar 2003 10:03 am
|
|
The answere to you second question, Ron, is yes.
You can download the entire 788 manual in pdf format at Tascam's site. |
|
|
|
DroopyPawn
From:
Fox, OK, USA
|
Posted 18 Mar 2003 9:39 pm
|
|
If you got with a computer based system, you'll be able to get more realistic sounding drum (or any other instrument) samples than on a hardware sampler or drum machine.
------------------
|
|
|
|
