BR1600CD vs VS890HD

Hi guys, I can cop either a VS890HD either a BR1600CD... price is 200EUR on both.

Any hands on experience with them?

The other route (almost same price) is to go with e 8 input tascam FW into reaper...

Don't want to start a huge war, but I'm on the market (second-hand) and have to make my mind before the deal goes...

well I think the firewire interface with 8 ins would be the best.. but I dont know that interface (if it's good or what have you)

also, I think you should simply do a side by side of the two HDR machines and see what performs best.... if you think that would be better than recording to the computer.

Interesting question.
I would guess that based on your choices you don't want to use a DAW or computer?
My reason for the question is that many of the things that makes the BR better are based on the more modern features that allow for ez computer integration.

As far as comparing it to a VS series you would be more along the lines of the 1680/1880/1824 with variation in track count and simultaneous tracks.

If you you want to layer your tracks using a hardware recorder then you will appreciate the 16 tracks and 8 simultaneous inputs.
That will allow you to connect things without having to disconnect things often.

The effects on the BR are more extensive and modern than what's offered on the 890 so that is also something of use.

If they are available for the same price the BR is probably the better choice.
Also less likely to have issues since it's a current product.

Thanks to everybody.

I will add that I would prefer to keep my Macbook at what is good at, namely running Reason 4 with ridiculous low latency and I like to work with dedicated hardware as almost everybody here...

My aim is to streamline the workflow getting from production to recording to mixing and applying eq/comp/fxs in a fluid not interrupted movement, so to say...

I've got a certain experience and I already had a 12ch FW mixer/interface. I thought that configuration would be ideal, but NOT. The fact that the mixer DOUBLED as interface did not ensured the integration within the hardware boxes and the DAW.

On the other side, I lately use to record live 2.5K/303 performances into a micro-br (2tracks) applying a first layer of FXs there, then moving the stereo WAV to reaper to apply the final VSTs for mastering.

Obviously with this method I have to pre-mix inside JJOS and if I finally feel that I should nudge some frequencies from the snare hi-end, I have to get back to the start and REDO all the performance (mute/seq chains/live fx on the 303...)

I feel you on the fact that the VS series is older than the BR one, I unfortunately can't test the machines side-to-side BUT it's a long time that I collect info on them, especially for the VS series. I've heard a lot less about the BR1600CD... but it really looks fine, I mean, reading the specs and the few reviews on-line.

Finally, the tascam interface I was speaking about is not a firewire one as I said in the previous post:

http://tascam.com/product/us-800/

Any thoughts?!?

PS
Thanks for your collaboration guys!

I dont know how that tascam sounds.. but it certainly doesn't look great. Okay there is nothing wrong with 6 xlr-1/4" combo jacks... but it is supposed to be 8 channels. the last channels are RCA in and spdif is extra...

too bad it didn't have 8 of the same inputs.


I suggest you look into user reviews or issues with the unit...