DPS24 might be dead...Alternatives?

Let me start out by saying I will not record on a computer, I don't own one capable of doing music, fix them all damn day long, then come home and edit photos on them, and for whatever weird reason, find using them for music absolutely uninspiring to the point of where there is a significant drop in my output.

So...no computers.


My DPS24 may be dead. It powers on, but doesn't load the OS. If it's not something I can fix, I'm at a huge crossroads for myself. I absolutely love this thing, I've had it for years, know it like the back of my hand, and my engineering knowledge is no where near the limit(less) of what the DPS can do. Keeping that in mind...does any one have any alternative suggestions? I'm definintely into trying something new, so figured it never hurts to ask.

I do pretty much everything on this recorder, from ADAT transfers (which aren't nessicary but are nice) from my 4k to recording synths/live stuff/guitars and all that crap, record, master, finalize, etc etc. An all in one box would be nice, but if there was a rackmount system that could give me similar recording capabilities, I'd be interested. I've been reading up on HD24s + Tascam DM24s, Yamahas, etc etc. I have no experience with outboard compressors/limiters, having only used the DPS', I figure thats something I'd need to finish stuff? I think if I were to get a desktop all in one it'd either be the DPS24 or a Roland VS2400-ish thing, anybody have any insight into that? The Rolands simultaneous track count at 24 bit doesn't much matter to me, since it's just me or friends in here, and I've been looking at those FX cards lately (the DPS' only "problem", all though I'm no where near going through all of it's FX's and getting bored yet)

My current set up is this - MPC4k, Z8, S950, integra, motif, kronos, 4 mics, various guitars etc etc. Maybe that matters for inputs, I dunno.

Financially, I seem to have 3 options -

Fix the DPS for around 300-700 bucks, sending it in to VST

Get a 2nd DPS I see for 500 bucks that the guy says is functional but some inputs don't work, etc etc. He says he doesn't know anything about these machines, he's into tape, so it might just be internal mixer settings. Either way, I could potentially get it, and kind of mess with the 2 till I get a working one.

Save my pennies and get a fully functional one for about 1000.

Jump ship into a new system.



Any inputs appreciated.

Fix your shit homie...


Buying another half busted one is a bad idea if it costs more than repairing yours and a the g-note on a new one can be used elsewhere. If you've already invested time in learning the OS/hardware, why switch?

Check out the Tascam DP32 or DP24. Color lcd. Cheaper. Newer. Still in stores.
Yamaha AW4416 might also be of interest. They had an Apogee converter upgrade available.
Not sure why another one would cost $1000 though. Seems like they were going for much less last I checked. That was a while back.

@ Manji,
I own 4 roland VS recorders: VS1880, 2 x VS2000's and a VS2480.
On the used market you can get these units in great condition for very little money. I would not spend more than $600 on a great condition VS2480, 2400, or 2000 with the vs-plugins. There are many of them on the market.
The DPS has a nice sound. Arguably the nicest sound of all recorders. I do not think any of the other professional digital recorders sound bad.
Roland has various modes. The mode that Roland uses that colors the sound is distinct and warm and is called RDAC. If you use the uncompressed sound then you get whatever you put in, and a loss of track count if you use the higher bit and sample rates.
Of all of the Roland VS units I recommend you buy the VS2480CD, the VS2400 or the VS2000. If you get the VS 2000 then you will be happier if it has the vga output.

I am like you I do not use a computer.

Cheers,
Ian

I'd stick with the DPS24. Arguably the best MTR of its time (maybe ever) and you've invested a lot of time and effort into learning it. There comes a time when your knowledge of a certain piece isn't worth the effort in learning something new.

Have you attempted to repair it yourself? Might be something as easy as reseating ram or rewriting the OS. Should be a service manual floating around the interwebz...

Are you sure you have a reliable qulte for repair costs?
Seems high as well. I had VST do some stuff and it was reasonable At the time.

jrides wrote:Are you sure you have a reliable qulte for repair costs?
Seems high as well. I had VST do some stuff and it was reasonable At the time.

Not sure about the VST quote but I do know that DPS24s are very expensive in the 2nd hand market ranging anywhere from $800-$1000. You can find some crazy deals if you look hard enough and mostly locally. There was one on my local CL for $375 not too long ago. Must have sold with the quickness because the listing was deleted ASAP.

How did I miss all of this!?


Yes, I've tried repairing it on my own, no luck.


As for VSTs pricing, they're great, its just that it'll be $160-ish to have it shipped both ways (got a quote of like 78 bucks or something, this thing is freaking massive and HEAVY).


Anyway, I agree with everyones assessment, I'm keeping the Deeps, it'll just be a minute before I can get it fixed.

In the mean time, a friend is "selling" me a perfectly functional VS1880 for 50 bucks, so at least I'm not completely dead in the water.

Thanks for all the input, guys

great deal on the 1880
don't hesitate

shame you're not in the UK its something I could fix.

The 1880 will do you well once you get used to it, I got a 1680 years ago on the cheap like that because it needed a hard drive.
Does it have the effects card?