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rklisme
Advanced Member
Username: rklisme

Post Number: 286
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 8:54 am:   Edit Post

Hey Guys

Can anyone recommend a easy to use inexpensive 4 track digital recorder. Not looking for anything to fancy just want to be able to record ideas mainly!

Rory
studiorecluse
Junior
Username: studiorecluse

Post Number: 23
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:40 am:   Edit Post

Does it have to be stand-alone, or would you consider using your existing computer?
byoung
Intermediate Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 196
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post

Rory,

Have you considered using your computer? Even an okay sound card should do the job pretty well.

The main thing, then, is getting software-- there is a fair amount of free software out there. I do most of my sound stuff on Linux, so that is where my familiarity is, but I could try to point you in the right direction.

If you have a Macintosh, then I've heard that Garage Band is pretty decent.

Brad
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 985
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 11:01 am:   Edit Post

Hi Rory-

There are a few shopping parameters here, but I have been looking at the recent Fostex MR8-HD as a potential choice. For $400, you get an 8-track system with four mic preamps and a 40GB drive. If the sound quality is good, four simultaneous recording tracks in a portable HD unit will make it convenient for recording live shows as well as noodling. I don't think it has all the modelling and effects in some unit, but it sounds like you wouldn't need that.

Of course, if noodling is the whole picture for you, you can probably get something for more like $200 that will do the job. I just haven't looked into those items.

-bob
rklisme
Advanced Member
Username: rklisme

Post Number: 287
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:05 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Guys

Thanks for the info, I know for sure I want a stand alone unit something that is easly portable. I will check into the Fostex that Bob mentioned and see if it meets my needs. In the mean time if anybody else has had any luck with a unit please chime in.

Rory
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 986
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 11:37 pm:   Edit Post

I am on the fence about the Fostex because of some of the reviews I have read. Something about introduced noise, maybe from the spinning hard drive? Other than that, I keep thinking about the Yamaha AW1600. It just seems a little large to be conveniently portable and has more channels than I require. The Fostex is supposedly a pretty hot seller, so maybe Boss or Yamaha will come out with a similar unit that will make me pull the trigger. If I can play around with the Fostex for a bit or hear a reliable first-hand review, I may yet grab one.

For me, a PC solution wouldn't be awful. I always have a notebook around, but I haven't seen the right unit with four mic preamps to feed it. Rory, notebooks are becoming relatively inexpensive, so it has become much more reasonable to use them as the basis of a stand-alone recording unit. Certainly a notebook plus software and firewire mic preamp is likely to be more than $400, but it's an interesting alternative if you already have the notebook.

One other thought for you is that many of the current line of amps and multi-effects units have a way to diretcly feed the PC over USB. If you're just looking to record riffs without vocals, something like a Pod XT plugged into the PC works pretty well.
gare
Advanced Member
Username: gare

Post Number: 335
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 6:27 am:   Edit Post

Rory..you may also want to checkout the Tascam gear. Their DP-01 units run 300/600$, but you can only record 2 tracks at a time. I would also think in a stand alone unit that a CD-RW drive would be a must, at least you could walk away with a 2 track master.
Guess it all depends on your budget and how fancy you want to get. But, at todays prices I'd go with at least 8 tracks.
Just my .02
Gary
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 646
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 7:07 am:   Edit Post

http://www.kellyindustries.com/recorders/tascam.html
gare
Advanced Member
Username: gare

Post Number: 343
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 7:58 am:   Edit Post

Rory
Just curious..any update on this ?
Whaddja get ?

G
rklisme
Advanced Member
Username: rklisme

Post Number: 296
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 8:16 am:   Edit Post

Gary

I have not taken the plunge yet. I am very undecided bassed on the non to popular reviews that I have read on the different units I have researched. I think I will dive in soon just no sure the direction I will be taking. Do you have any more suggestions?

Rory
dejan
Junior
Username: dejan

Post Number: 27
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:37 am:   Edit Post

Hi Rory,I use a Yamaha AW16G and it's fantastic.You can record 8 track simultaneusly(very important,4 track is not sufficient if you want to record a demo with your band!),digital mixer with 16 channels,hard disk with 20 gigabyte,two 32 bit mulieffects,two channels with phantom power(if you want to record condenser microphones),a touch pad to create rithm bases,monitor out,and lot of possibilities to edit your songs.Incorporated CD burner to masterize your CD without your computer.If you want a indipendent workstation simple and with high quality(24 bit),this is your choice.The new model AW1600 features a 40 gigabyte and usb to connect it to your PC.BYE



(Message edited by dejan on February 14, 2006)
wideload
Member
Username: wideload

Post Number: 98
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

I'm waiting on the Lexicon Lambda, which is a two-channel USB interface with software for recording on my Powerbook. I'm just going to take the pass-thrus from the IEMs for a quick and dirty copy of how we sound. For $200 I don't expect perfection (of course, bad note correction is included, isn't it?!).

Larry
gare
Advanced Member
Username: gare

Post Number: 344
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 6:48 am:   Edit Post

Hi Rory
Don't really have any more suggestions, but I'm interested in the suggestions coming up here.
I'm also interested in a small, portable, self contained recorder ,with a cd drive.
Thought I'd move into the late 20th century, I still have tape.
But for a small simple recorder for a relatively low price, I like the Fostex and Tascam units. And unfortunately in that catagory some compromises will need to be made.
The desk top/laptop setups are nice, and flexible, but not that portable.
Will keep an eye out for more ideas, good luck in the quest.
Gary

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