Looking into buying a digital mulitrack! I need help
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Posted on Jul 07, 2009 08:13 pm
colby miller
Member Since: Jul 21, 2007
Hey guys,
Recently I've been looking into buying a digital multitrack, probably an 8 track, and wanted to know if any of you had a suggestion.
I previously owned a tascam cassette four track, and record right now with a USB interface. But, I'd like to be able to have something like my old Tascam, that I can take around to different places easily to record in different places, but I think I'm going digital this time for the quality.
I looked at the DP-02CF (I don't need the CD burner) and the Fostex MR-8mkII, and also the BOSS BR-600 (but I don't like the absent XLR inputs).
Any suggestions?
Thank you so much ahead of time,
colby
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Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Jul 07, 2009 08:23 pm I bought a secondhand ProjectMix I/O...it sustained some damage in shipping and gives me intermittent errors because of that...but I've been pretty happy with it otherwise.
Motorized faders for fast and easy automation
8 phantom powered XLR inputs or 8 1/4" ins, toggled with a button
All the standrad control surface features you'd expect
ADAT Lightpipe, S/PDIF and word clock I/O
Configurable knobs for your knob rotating pleasure
All in all, not a bad deal for $1300...though I found mine for $700 used. It was in great condition before my friend picked it up and packed it with appx. 2 handfuls of packing peanuts before sending it to me.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 07, 2009 10:13 pm Hey colby. What kind of budget do you have for cost on a unit? There are some good ones and some not so good ones. 8 track should be pretty cost effective though.
Jul 07, 2009 11:01 pm My budget isn't very high, as you can see from the 8 tracks I've been looking at so far :(
IndellableMusic AfficionadoMember
Since: Aug 12, 2008
Jul 08, 2009 11:34 am So as not to start another similar post. Can you guys also reccomend good vendors or specific models of digitial boards for 16 - 24 tracks? There is a TASCAM (I htink its an 1884) on Craigslist here that s pretty cheap but I dont know anyone that has used one. Thanks.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jul 08, 2009 11:51 am Nevermind... :)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 08, 2009 06:43 pm colby, although the Boss unit is probably the higher quality and comes with some on board FX and such it would need an out board pre amp as you stated since there are no XLR connection's or phantom power for a condensor mic.
But the price is not too bad, and depending on exactly what you want for quality you can add an outboard pre amp for near the $100 mark these days.
The Boss unit is also price like that as it is an extremely compact unit as well.
That all said though, the Tascam you would be the unit of choice out of those three. In that price range there really are none with any more features or better feature that those 3. But as stated, my choice would be the Tascam if I were going that route on a budget.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 08, 2009 06:47 pm Indellable, for that price you won't find anything better. That is a dependable unit and works very well. My only gripe is there is no output to connect a larger monitor screen to work on. And I am not fond of editing on a tiny little screen at all.
But for quality and bang for the buck there is nothing else at that kind of price new.
You can look for a used Roland VS but I doubt you will find anything relatively new at that price.
IndellableMusic AfficionadoMember
Since: Aug 12, 2008
Jul 09, 2009 11:01 am Great - thanks so much. Completely agree about the small screen (espeically as I get older!) I stumbled upon a TASCAM DM3200 inmy research yesterday and all the reviews (magaizine article and end user) were pretty damn good. I think I may just save up a little longer now....
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jul 09, 2009 11:20 am I have a Roland V-Studio and I love it... one thing about the Rolands is that you can hook them up to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse.... this is a feature that is not readily available on other DAW's. Believe me you will appreciate using a full size monitor instead of the little LCD panel on the DAW.
Jul 09, 2009 04:35 pm Thank you for all of the responses! I am probably going to go with the Tascam, that way I wouldn't need to buy a pre amp, and I haven't had problems with Tascam in the past.
Thank you! I'll keep you updated on the purchase.
Jul 09, 2009 04:43 pm I do have one more question. Is it possible to take the tracks I've recorded and put them onto my computer for further mixing and editing?
I really only use Garageband haha I've never took the time to really research software.
NightcapVeni, MIDI, ViciMember
Since: Jul 02, 2008
Jul 09, 2009 08:34 pm Yes, no problem. You export the recorded tracks as WAV files to the unit's hard drive and then, using USB, you can copy them to your DAW.
