For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
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By eightsixteen Mon Dec 22, 2003 6:10 pm
I'd like to buy a used multitrack digital recorder. What's good? I'm looking for something with at least 8 tracks, effects, midi sync and a CD burner. I don't want anything geared towards the "guitarist" or "songwriter". I want something that is somewhat professional. Basically, I'm just using it to mix down MPC & synth tracks and eventually put on CD. Oh, and by the way, I'd like to spend less than $600 used.

What do you all think of the Roland VS-880? I had borrowed one a few years ago and served me well. Anything else out there that's comparable?

Thanks in advance to the many, many replies I'll receive.
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By Phatz Tue Dec 23, 2003 6:41 am
Hey Eightsixteen,
I currently use that machine and its cool, but there are quite a few that would do, The Tascam 788, Roland Vs 880 or Vs 890, (of course these dont come with a built in burner, but there are many ways to burn your music, you could transfer it to the computer and burn it) The only set back with the Vs 880 is that it only records 4 tracks instead of all eight at once. If you are ibm208p' ing it an additional mixer could be great that would allow you to do a number of things to it before you record it into the unit. you can check out ebay to get an idea and then check the specs of each tracker. But my opinion is this the Roland Vs 880 works great if you can find one thats not banged up. I got mine from a pawn shop for like 300.00 and I took the other 250.00 I had and brought a used 16 channel mixer with an 8 buss out on it. So just check around if I come across anything I will give you a Holla.

Peace Fam,
Phatz
By roxstar Wed Dec 24, 2003 6:40 pm
The roland vs series are nice, but there is a little learning curve with these usits.. I would assume with all of them, but they sound good. I've seen the 880 rack for like $300 (used), and even though I have the 18 track vs-1880, I don't use more than 2-4 tracks. I haven't gotten to the point of doing vocals, and I just 2 tracks my drums. I'm not wasting my time doing track by track recordings because I heard that when you get signed, the labels re-track your music anyways. As long as the recorder has basic features, and can keep your music sounding good, buy it, and make sure it had a scsi port on it so you can burn your tracks to cd.

. ..roxstar. ..