Multi-Track Recorders

[BrianD]

It has been a while since i last looked into this and I thought it time to have another go. My interest was sparked by the thread on he BOSS Micro BR which set me looking at the wide range of devices available ranging from £100 up. Alright, I know you get what you pay for but I am interested to hear what recommendations people have today.

Last time I did any recording it was using CuBase on a PC which I used ten years ago to make my band's CD but I haven't touched it for many years. I am looking for a simple to use, intuitive (the brain cells are deteriorating with age and don't allow for dealing with systems that require a university degree to use), fast to get used to (I was never known for my patience). I want to be able to load in the Shads backing tracks I have and play back through a PA or Hi Fi amp for obvious reasons, record my own lead tracks to those backings, create my own backings with real sounding drum patterns that again don't require a lot of work to create.

I am interested to hear what you use and how you rate them.

Thanks, in anticipation

Brian

[Didier]

I have a friend who bought the Zoom R16 multitrack recorder and is quite statisfied with it. But I don't know if it would meet your needs.
Have a look here : http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep09/a ... oomr16.htm

Didier

[ecca]

Have you thought of Audacity Brian ?
It's free and a good, relatively simple re-introduction back into PC recording.
The trouble with hard disk recorders is that you miss all the fun of VSTs.
The best drums I've used ( and still do, invariably ) are the real drums in Band in a Box whereby whole drum patterns are used and not just sampled snares etc.
Hope it helps,
Cheers,
Ecca

[BrianD]

Thanks, guys.

You are right Ecca, in fact I must dust off my Band in The Box and get it updated and enhanced and do already have Audacity, however, my PCs are not in an ideal room for music recording and do make rather a lot of background noise. Having read a few reviews this morning I think I am going to check out this Boss Micro unit as mentioned in another thread. It seems to tick most of the boxes and is attractively priced.

Brian

[tony parnham]

Hi Brian,
If you go for one of the Boss BR series I would strongly recommend the BR 600 as opposed to the Micro BR if you're in that price range. The 600 is a massive step up from the micro for the few quid extra, I know I've had both. The best one apart from the Br1600 is the Br1200, that has 3 band parametric EQ and compression on each track its better quality as well, very easy to work and understand, with CD writer,drum patterns, monitor speaker simulation etc etc. Horses for courses.
Tony

[roger bayliss]

I have got a couple of Zooms MRS 4 and MRS8 and they are great units for the price with insert / mastering / send return effects built in condensor mics . As Ecca points out you cannot use the VST plugins though but most of the effects on mine are useful for what I need. I might sell my MRS 4 as I tend to use the other one mainly.

[Tab]

Hi Brian,

I have a TASCAM 8 track recorder which you are welcome to have a play with to look at, at least, one option.

Maybe I can bring it round for you to have a look at.

I am, at the moment, half way to a house move - we are camped out at my mother-inlaw's house until we can move into our new house next week (ideal timing with Christmas and the snow here, but we didn't have a choice!!) So I can only communicate via these pages for the next few days.

Will be in touch.

Kind regards,

Terry

[BrianD]

Thanks for the input guys. Interestingly whenever I look up the BR600 I get info on the 800 so assume the 800 has replaced the 600 in the BOSS BR range.

Snowed in again today but may well get the BOSS BR 800. Certainly some great reviews and info on teh web.

Brian

[darkie]

Hi Brian,try "Cool Edit Pro"I find it brilliant for recording vocals and instrumentals.......regards.....Freddie

[ecca]

Hi Brian,try "Cool Edit Pro"I find it brilliant for recording vocals and instrumentals.......regards.....Freddie

Cool Edit Pro long gone, it's Adobe Audition 3 now.