For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
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By tonyscarbones Tue Jun 18, 2013 2:36 pm
what i want to do is use a hardware multitrack recorder similar to those roland vs series or tascam recorders to track out beats now

i'm sick of using a computer i want to do everything with hardware

what i want to do is set it up midi MTC from my mpc 2500 which controls an asr-10

but i also want to send hw reverb effects to a track using a dp4

can i do this with any multitrack recorder you know of?
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By Ian Canefire Tue Jun 18, 2013 2:56 pm
You can do this will all of the good multitrack digital recorders.
I have been doing what you are talking about for years. I just got the MPC a year ago though.
What I have learned / do:
1) I only use Midiclock. I do not use MTC.
2) Not sure about the MPC you have but my 4000 has adat and my vs2480 has adat ADAT is a godsend! Sounds better and less cables.
3) Get a good multitracker...don't settle. (great midi sync timing...no jitter)

Recommendations:
Roland VS-2480CD or DVD
Roland VS2000 (max bit rate 24bit max khz44.1, no adat)
Roland VS2400
Korg D32xd
Yamaha AW2400 read...http://www.gregcutshaw.com/AW2400/AW2400.html
on a shoe string budget get a VS1824CD they sound good and are cheap.


I track out every single individual sound from my gear into my mixers. The mixer is where the fun is for me. My MPC runs a slew of gear and I needed many inputs so I purchased many multitracks....they are super cheap right now. If you can get two VS2480's you would be set for the rest of your recording career. If you do god down the VS path try to get them for around $500 and you have done well.

Cheers,
Ian
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By tonyscarbones Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:31 pm
i'm looking online at pics of the 1824 and i don't see how i can use my hardware reverb unit for effects on the tracks?

would i have to use 2 inputs on say tracks 3 and 4 for a stereo reverb send to use on a recorded dry instrument that is on tracks 1 and 2?
By MaZe Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:19 am
tonyscarbones wrote:i'm looking online at pics of the 1824 and i don't see how i can use my hardware reverb unit for effects on the tracks?

would i have to use 2 inputs on say tracks 3 and 4 for a stereo reverb send to use on a recorded dry instrument that is on tracks 1 and 2?


I've heard good things about the 1824 and was thinking about picking one up myself when I decided, like you, that I didn't want to touch a computer when making music but, it is limited in what it can do (espeically with those RCA outs) and you'll mostly need to do everything in the box effects wise. In order to start playing the send/return game, you are going to have to look into the more robust units.

Also keep in mind that although you may not want to use a computer to record, you should leave open the possibility of mixing further or sending stems elsewhere. With that said, a unit with a CD writer or USB is basically necessary. Roland uses a proprietary format that would need to be rendered on the older units and on the older units with SCSI only, this would probably be a nightmare.

You really have to do your research on these units to make sure that you your vintage gear both satisfies your needs and is "future proof". Oxymoron, I know.
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By Ian Canefire Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:48 am
Not sure I understand your problem.
If you are using external effects then you can:

A) have sound come out of the asr go straight in the dp4 and then plug into the digital mixer. Midi out from the mixer to the midi in of the mpc, mpc out from the mpc to the midi in of the asr, and midi thru from the asr to the dp.

B) use the same midi setup as above, but this time have your audio cables go from the asr into the multitrack, then use one or two of the multitracks outputs to go to the dp and then from the dp output to the mutlitrack. thus you have a wet and dry signal. The vs2480, 2400 and 2000 can allow the inputs to work as direct outputs as well. SO you can do the same thing as i stated above from a different area of the machine.

c) you can do A) and then use the asr headphone out as the direct signal to the multitrack. For the dry signal.

D) you can so al sorts of fx sending inside the multitrack recorder. depending on the amount of effects cards (in the case of the vs units). The korg has good effects to. To me roland effects are best.

cheers,
Ian
PS between the smaller vs units the VS1824 is way better than the others. THat CD comes in handy for backing up work. It also has the better layout. I have the 1880 and it sounds great. Itis the same sound wise as the 1824. I wouldn't get the vs1680 over a 1824CD. You can get a 1824 for $200 or less nowadays.
COmputers obviously will give you more tricks. However thee machines are great. The KORG is a monster 100mm faders, lots of nice add ons like a kick ass compressor chip.
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By Ian Canefire Wed Jun 19, 2013 1:37 pm
Also...the VS2000 has a usb port and it comes with conversion software. So you can convert all of your tracks into a format that your computers DAW can use. It is very quick and painless.
I do not use a computer in my set up however I do all of my processing in the vs and it sounds great.
If you really are picky you can always get an expensive pre that has a digital output and run your sounds through that and into the VS bypassing the VS mic inputs for an even better or nuanced sound.

The trick is to find the best quality one for the least amount. If you are going to buy a 1824 do not spend more than $200. However if you see a VS2000 for $400 or less with or without the vga card expansion then that is the better buy, hands down.
If you see a VS2480 for less than $500 in good condition then you get that and your prayers are answered.(though it doesn't have the usb output)

Peace
Ian