Digital Recorders

What's up people? I've been doing a lot of research on digital recorders and I just figured I ask for some mpc users opinions. What digital recorder(hardware) works best with best with the mpc,one that utilizes the 8 outs. I bought reason record but to my knowledge it doesn't let u seperate tracks,if it does I missed that reading the manual. Thanks in advance for your responses...

when you say "digital recorder"... are you looking to get a multitrack hardware recorder or a an audio interface [soundcard] with inputs for recording to software? i'm confused since at first you mention wanting hardware, but then mention that you bought Record...

and regarding your other question... in order to have separate tracks, you would have to record each output as a separate track... so from what it sounds like, i don't believe you currently have means of doing that...

firewire mixers (like the Alesis MultiMix series) can record separate tracks into your DAW

@Crossings,yes I meant hardware. I bought reason record but I was looking to switch to a multi-track recorder(hardware) because I can't seperate tracks,I was just looking for suggestions on a recorder that could record up to 8 tracks at once,if that's right,I'm new to this,lol.. @THX,thanks for the info,I didn"t even know about that,I may look into just getting that instead . One more ? Do u route it through your interface or directly into the computer? I'm only asking because the one I looked up said it used a usb and it had it's own soundcard. Thanks.

as mentioned, the firewire mixer interfaces can record multiple tracks separately to your computer while mainting a hardware mixer feel... i'm not sure about how many tracks at a time since i haven't read the specs on these firewire mixers...

personally, i have a korg D-888 and think it's great for what it does... it's a hardware multitracker that can record up to 8 tracks simultaneously. it doesn't record to the computer, but to the internal 40GB hard drive it has... however, it records all separate channels as WAV files, so you can later just plug the D-888 [via usb] into your computer and drag the entire session as separate tracks into your software for mixing/mastering... seems like it may be a nice option for what you're looking for, as it gives you the best of both worlds.

Roland VS 2400 or VS 2480. Plenty of ins and outs, good amount of storage and tons of features. I use the 2480, it's complicated and you can find software that blow it away but it works for what I do. And you can record 16 tracks simultaneously. Look for one on ebay or craigslist.

I wouldn't even buy a standalone digital recorder.. Small screens, difficult to navigate, many need expansion cards, and most are really outdated or require addition expansions to transfer audio to the computer.
I would go with software and a decent soundcard. It doesn't have a cost a lot (I got my Presonus Firestudio for $200) and look for some Multitrack software to record into (however you get it!). Reaper is free, and Cubase Essential/Logic Express is cheap and fairly easy to use.

I use a Tascam 2488. I got it so cheap and it is easy to navigate and makes a great scratchpad. It can also record 8 tracks at once and can hook to the computer via USB. It also has some useful effects and editing.

I have the Tascam 2488 Neo, had it for about 2 months, my love for it grows evertime I touch it, I plan to eventually get a computer, update the soundcard and mesh everthing together, best of both worlds. Oh yeah, BGBeats thanks again for helping me make the decision to buy it.

Haze

My vs 1680 is rollin!!!!dont know why people think the computer is so much better.its cleaner,sure,but when was that an issue in <real> music.charactor will win my ears and senses over anytime.i do notice the difference when its on the computer and its not better actually.The argument over puters being preferable to hardware seems redundant on a site of this nature.Respect to the individuals who do things how they feel.Long live tape,valves,huge bits of unfashionable equipment and dirty multitracks.BUT-it all ends in th puter eventually so wtf am i talking about

dryad-66 wrote:My vs 1680 is rollin!!!!dont know why people think the computer is so much better.its cleaner,sure,but when was that an issue in <real> music.charactor will win my ears and senses over anytime.i do notice the difference when its on the computer and its not better actually.The argument over puters being preferable to hardware seems redundant on a site of this nature.Respect to the individuals who do things how they feel.Long live tape,valves,huge bits of unfashionable equipment and dirty multitracks.BUT-it all ends in th puter eventually so wtf am i talking about

You are actually making sense. Digital Cameras are great but film still has that certain quality. Remember all of those people who just have to have digital synths when they came out? Now those Moogs and Arps cost a fortune. The more tools you have experience and practice with - the more creative you can be. I really hate the term "better" when it comes to creating music. Use it all and be creative with it!!

krush777 wrote:

dryad-66 wrote:My vs 1680 is rollin!!!!dont know why people think the computer is so much better.its cleaner,sure,but when was that an issue in <real> music.charactor will win my ears and senses over anytime.i do notice the difference when its on the computer and its not better actually.The argument over puters being preferable to hardware seems redundant on a site of this nature.Respect to the individuals who do things how they feel.Long live tape,valves,huge bits of unfashionable equipment and dirty multitracks.BUT-it all ends in th puter eventually so wtf am i talking about

You are actually making sense. Digital Cameras are great but film still has that certain quality. Remember all of those people who just have to have digital synths when they came out? Now those Moogs and Arps cost a fortune. The more tools you have experience and practice with - the more creative you can be. I really hate the term "better" when it comes to creating music. Use it all and be creative with it!!

^ i agree, and also fun plays a factor in it. now for portastudio HDD recorders, well it is a computer too... but for that oldschool analog stuff it for sure applies to the film/digi cam analogy. I think the most important part for music hobbyists is to have fun using the equipment.

"You are actually making sense. Digital Cameras are great but film still has that certain quality."

True, but only certain film cameras have a certain quality, and the user must know how to use it. There maybe some digital recorders that are easier to use. I've owned the VS-1680, VS-1880 and VS-2480 (I'm a glutton for punishment). The VS-2480 was by far the easier one to use, but has NOTHING on pro-tools are far as ease of use. The Pre-amps in the Rolands were nothing to brag about. The best thing I can say about the Roland series is their stable as phuck, and "if" you can understand them, you will have a great final product.
Props goes out to all you Roland DAW masters out there! These are the type of dudes that can do calculus on an abacus! HAHA!

same old computer argument........

roxstar wrote:"You are actually making sense. Digital Cameras are great but film still has that certain quality."

True, but only certain film cameras have a certain quality, and the user must know how to use it. There maybe some digital recorders that are easier to use. I've owned the VS-1680, VS-1880 and VS-2480 (I'm a glutton for punishment). The VS-2480 was by far the easier one to use, but has NOTHING on pro-tools are far as ease of use. The Pre-amps in the Rolands were nothing to brag about. The best thing I can say about the Roland series is their stable as phuck, and "if" you can understand them, you will have a great final product.
Props goes out to all you Roland DAW masters out there! These are the type of dudes that can do calculus on an abacus! HAHA!

I owned a 2480 a few years ago and it was very easy to use as well. Just like the MPC, if you learn the equipment and its strengths and limitations, then the more creative you can be with it. I went to school for Pro Tools and it is fine. It is just another tool in the box. I have sent to sessions with Digital Recorders as the centerpiece. Others have had Digi 002s or 003s. I just make the best music I can with the tools that I have on hand. I know some Roland DAW masters who can't do Calculus at all. The longer that I am involved in making music, the less I focus on the tools and the more I focus on creating my vision (or someones vision if I am working on their project). That is why I get sick every time I come to this forum and see that someone posted one of those "What is the best_________" questions. Words like best, never, and only have a very limited applicability when it comes to music. I will say that for me, the Roland 2480 is EASIER to use than Pro Tools. But then what has to be considered is what it is you were requiring each system to do. Nothing is more satisfying to me that working with someone who knows how to use the tools that they have on hand. That person has invested the time in their craft and are much better off the in the long run.