You're talkin PDSs. Portable Digital Studios is what most rags are calling em.
I was in the market for one until a few months ago when I picked up a useed Yamaha AW16G. I'd been interested in Korg's multitrackers mostly for the fact that you can transfer tracks back and forth over USB. (sometimes wish I had that capability still but I love my Yammy)
Most anything modern with as many options as a 12 tracker or over, from Korg, Roland (the original PDS company whose VS models have a real good rep) Akai or Yamaha, maybe throw Fostex on the pile too, will do you fine. Most can burn CDs, often with the option of burning wavs rather than audio, and individual tracks rather than just the mix. Some, like my AW16G, allow you to import loops for sequencing into the mix or samples for triggering, which is especially cool if you're just making scratch tracks or you're a guitarist. I can do all the basics of Acid using my multitracker by itself.
Most of these units also have pretty good internal effects and capabilities for amp and mic modelling, compression and EQ. I like a multitracker where I can record several tracks at a time, since I was forced to record on 2 before. (had an old Boss BR-8 for a long while) Now I've cut out the middle man mixer and all my gear runs straight into my Yamaha and out to the monitors. Also, you may or may not want digital ins and outs, which my Yamaha and several other modern units have.
As I say, almost any modern multitracker will do, and it's basically a feature shoot-out.
Just look at features and pick what you like.
-tank.
You don't know what I know
Cuz you aint seen through my eyes
This spliff is always lit but it's a natural high
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