Multitrack Recorders

[BrianD]

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all got suitable new toys this morning!

I am contemplating getting a TASCAM DP-03SD and wondered if anyone here had experience of one of these units. I have played around with software on PCs for home recording but find it over complicated and like the simplicity the TASCAM unit appears to offer. Any views?

[roger bayliss]

I bought a Zoom R24 myself after considering a Tascam. I just felt the Zoom offerings were a little bit better for the price. The EQ on that model is very limited with just a low / high shelf which I think will be a little restrictive. Your choice and depends on your budget of course, In my case I saved money buying the Zoom instead of the Tascam Model DP24 and saved about £150 plus. You can of course use these with a DAW Software package.

[Goingdownslow]

Hi Brian....a consideration when buying a multi track recorder is the purpose that it will be used for.....I think this Tascam is an 8 track machine.....ok if you are buying in your own BTs and then adding extra tracks yourself as you would have 6 spare to play with without bouncing mixes.....

If you want to be more adventurous and build up backings from scratch.....which is the way I work....then 8 tracks isn't enough on a stand alone machine really.....

I use Logic on an iMac as my main tool but I also have a Korg D3200 which is a 32 track self contained mixer/ recorder...

I bought it second hand around 4 years ago for £450 and it is excellent once you get your head round how to work it....

Self contained gear does have its appeal as they are user friendly and turning real knobs and moving real sliders is much easier.......

I would decide what your max budget is and then find the best used maxhine that you can afford......I don't think that there any bad buys out there as all the manufacturers seem to have produced good products that appeal for different reasons...
Regards, Paul....

[alanbakewell]

Hi Brian, Merry Christmas.

Some ten years ago I bought a Boss BR1100CD multi track recorder and have been very pleased with it.

As well as the other good advice offered, I would add, get a good quality condenser microphone.
The microphone I was sold at the time of buying the recorder was a Behringer B1.
Still available I think. Although doubtless someone will know a better microphone to use in today's climate.

I download the BT's on the first two tracks and then use the remaining tracks for guitar (s) / vocals etc.

And don't forget a decent, ( comfortable ) pair of headphones. Once you start recording you'll be surprised
where the time goes. And, a decent, comfortable pair of headphones is invaluable.

All of these things will push the limits of your budget. However, like many things, you never regret paying for quality.

Cheers, Alan.

[C-C]

Hi, I have had the Tascam DP-03 for nearly two years now,
Its an eight track unit but with bounce capabilities there are plenty of tracks, Also it has
a cd player on board for burning to CD.
Since a few friends tried it out they are pleased they bought one also.
Carl

[Iain Purdon]

Tascam gear has a good reputation

[JimTidmarsh]

I used to use a Boss 8 track for a long time, but converted to a Sony DAW on my laptop about three years ago & have never looked back!
The advantage of computer based recording is that there is no limit to the number of tracks you can use & you can also incorporate MIDI.

[BrianD]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have used several PC based applications over the years and am well aware of the advantages, however, I confess I have found them complicated, particularly where settings are concerned and have conflicted with other applications on the PC - primarily Adobe Creative Suite I use for video editing work/ The attraction of something like the TASCAM is that it is a dedicated unit where you don't need to worry about settings and so on just use good old fashioned sliders and knobs you can push and turn!!! Yes TASCAM has a very good name , as does Boss and Zoom. I am weighing up whether to go with the 8 track (with bounce facilities) DP-03SD or spend a bit more for the DP-32SD

[John M]

Zoom 1608.
Discontinued now but plenty pop up on places like ebay around the £250 mark.
8 track simultaneous recording...plenty of bounce facilities and virtual tracks
2 dedicated guitar inputs and a built in cd burner.

Info here:- http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan05/a ... rs1608.htm

[Gary Allen]

Ive tried a few multitrack recorders and Ive noticed that theres no issues recording acoustic guitars, keyboards,drums or vocals.The lead guitar track (if were talking Hank sound) always suffers and I think its to do with input impedance,Whether its straight in or with a microphone, the sound is usually thin and glassy, Ok so theyre really designed for clarity and functionality and unless you hit a sweet spot at the input stage its a good idea to maybe preamp the mic,or boost some eq before it hits the input on the multitrack.(Onboard eq doesnt rectify this). I know some users are happy with their sound and fair play to them, I just happened to notice this and thought Id mention it. regards Gary