multitracker

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Member Since: Jan 27, 2003

i have been searching all over yahoo, musicians friend, guitar center and can't find the right multitracker to get. i was thinking of the mr-8 by fostex, but having read the thread about it not being able to mess with the equalizer after recording i have come to the conclusion that there isn't any out there that will suffice. i've looked at the tascams too, but still am uncertain. i wanted one with a metronome on it, 2 simultaneous recording ability, you know.. basic stuff, with capability of transfering to the computer, but read about something in this forum about only being able to send 2 track? what does that mean? the first two tracks can be sent? oh yes.. whats XLR things about? i was even more clueless about multlitrackers then now. but have read alot and have some knowledge of them. still, choosing, more like finding one that will do what i want is frustrating the hell out of me. i plan to use it to record guitar compositions and cover songs from like metallica to yngwie. any help is very much appreciated

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Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Jan 27, 2003 09:52 pm

wow, lotsa questions! i wish i could help with your tracker needs, but i track in software, so let me help with at least two of your questions:

When we say two-track we mean just a left and right stereo pair. If your tracker has mute or solo buttons then those 2 tracks can really output any of the tracks you've recorded of your choice.

As for XLR, thats the pro type of cable. All the professinoal microphones use it, so any good mic preamp will have XLR jacks, It's also used for other signals too. Plus they look cool.

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


Jan 28, 2003 12:01 am

You're on the right track! (just what you wanted to hear right?) Look, read, draw diagrams, get frustrated, look, read...... That's the joy about this gig. There are so many options! Read some of the recording tip articles to get a feel for the signal path of a recording set up. XlR's are pretty much reserved for microphones where TRS plugs are used for line in's. I use an Alesis HD24 and love it. Very good analog to digital converters, simple fool proof recording to hard disk. Then I can transfer the recorded tracks to computer via ethernet with no conversion. Just one option however. If you don't have to drag your system around to record i would recomend going directly into the computer when recording instead of using a multi track unit. Keep hanging out. You'll get it in no time!

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2003


Jan 28, 2003 01:18 am

Lol, love the nick no'hwer!

Hey dB, told ya the ad was effective ;)

W.

Member
Since: Jan 27, 2003


Jan 28, 2003 01:31 am

yea, i just looked up the price for that alesis hd24, and thought, thats a ibanez prestige after my jaw dropped. yea.. i've been to guitar center and back, but have found nothing that will accommodate my needs. i mean, if it were like 300 dollars then i'd be recording by tomorrow night. but my wallet only goes so deep. most of the time when i see those types of recorders i just skip it cause they look too expensive. it would be my first recorder so i dont want to mess it up, i need experience.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 28, 2003 05:08 am

Quote
Hey dB, told ya the ad was effective ;)


LOL! Actually, that was the first thing I thought of upon seeing the new name as well :-D

Member
Since: Dec 16, 2002


Jan 28, 2003 05:43 am

" have been searching all over yahoo, musicians friend, guitar center and can't find the right multitracker to get."
Yes it is confusing. I went off the recomendation of a friend who is more technicaly minded than me and had done all the research first ;-)

" i was thinking of the mr-8 by fostex, but having read the thread about it not being able to mess with the equalizer after recording"
I don't know about the mr-8, but I have a vf160 and you can certainly eq it afterwards, and a heck of a lot more too. But your budget might not stretch to £999 ($1500)? - maybe they have come down in price in the 6 months since I got mine?

I am certainly very happy with it.

"i have come to the conclusion that there isn't any out there that will suffice.
There is, if you have the budget!

"i wanted one with a metronome on it, "
vf 160 has that

2 simultaneous recording ability
vf 160 - 8 simultaneous (good for recording the band live - and it's portable)

"with capability of transfering to the computer"
Hmmm, not so sure, haven't tried that. You can definitely export wav files from it and burn CDr's straight off. And take backups to CDRW. Don't think you could export to cubase, but I may be wrong as that's not something I'm interested in doing.

", but read about something in this forum about only being able to send 2 track? "
Maybe means you can only export a two track stereo mix?

"i plan to use it to record guitar compositions and cover songs from like metallica to yngwie. any help is very much appreciated"
Yep, that's what I do (not the Metallica bit;))
16 tracks seems adequate up to now, though I admit I have filled all 16 on some songs (that all important tambourine overdub;))

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 28, 2003 06:59 am

And you can get the VF-160 here:

with a CD burner: service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear

or without: service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 28, 2003 04:49 pm

Hey Walt, luv the new avatar. It become's you.

Member
Since: Jan 27, 2003


Jan 28, 2003 06:31 pm

I was thinking about buying the Fostex VF-80 maybe this might be the recorder for you also...Effects central had it on for $448.00 free shipping..An 8 track digital recorder with effects and a hardrive.The Mr-8 fostex, just not sure about the flashcard, and how much song you can get on it.Getting the right Recorder is very confusing ,becuase they outdate themself's so much and us gear guys always want the latest and greatest...
Rick

Member
Since: Jan 27, 2003


Jan 28, 2003 07:12 pm

thanks. been checking out the vf's and read spec's. looks like what i need, now all i have to do is find stuff to pawn.

Member
Since: Jan 27, 2003


Jan 28, 2003 10:36 pm

I am from Canada and i got a bunch of gear together , i wasnt using and put them on ebay..Now we have an advantage becauase of the exchange on the dollar.Anyways sold over 1,700.00 and took the money and bought the fostex recorder and another guitar.I will probably keep this recorder for awhile and in the future get a digital.The VF-80 that sells for 448.00 Us Sells for 1,000 in Canada.....so i will wait tell the price bottoms out..In about one year the price will be down to 500.00..The VF-80 also comes with a CD burner, but i think its about 600.00..
Rick

Member
Since: Dec 16, 2002


Jan 30, 2003 07:19 am

no'wher...

You will soon regret going for the 8 track recorder rather than pawning your partners/mum's jewellery and getting the 16-track vf160.

I know it's a lot of money, but the pain of parting of the cash will pass in time. The frustration of being limited to 8 tracks and having to bounce down will p** you off in no time.

Drums - 5 tracks (snare, kick, toms, hihat, cymbals)
vocals - 1 main, at least 1 backing
guitar - 2 (rhythm + lead)
bass - 1
keyboard - 1

That's 11 tracks, even without considering any additional overdubs like doubling up the lead voice, adding tambourine/percussion, stereo effects (take two tracks)

see what i mean - even 16 track is sometimes not enough!

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 30, 2003 08:47 am

totally depends on the type of music you record, how you record and other factors, I have a couple friends who were and still are very happy with their little tascam portastudios.

Member
Since: Jan 27, 2003


Feb 01, 2003 02:02 pm

i went to guitar center again. and am considering the Boss br532 i believe it was called. any input anyone? its still too expensive kinda, $400, but its chinese new year. and are virtual or ghost tracks just as good as regular tracks? i know what they are, but what are the differences.

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