Harddisk VS Software Recording.

I've been without a recording system for quite some time and I've recently decided to get a new multitrack recording unit. Unfortunately I am lost as the market for recording systems is vast. I was hoping to gain the insight and wisdom of what might be good for me to use.


Quick history and speculations

I've always used hardware hard disk recorders in the past. I had a Korg d888 in the past which was alright for recording my MPC but editing became a hassle and had to be done mostly inside a DAW. The small screen was a very limiting factor as well as the analog style of recording. I realize many people would suggest buying a sound interface and recording directly into a daw but I'm skeptical about my computers ability to act as a recorder, especially when I would be recording 8 tracks at a time. I've never had much luck using software or trying to configure interfaces. I'd prefer to buy a hard disk recorder like the VS-2000CD (http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=602) simply to avoid the potential trouble of configuring a sound card. The VS appeals to me in that it has most of the faculties of a traditional software Daw available in a Hardware machine. It also has the capability to connect a mouse and a monitor for finer editing. Further editing could be processed in a software daw as the VS2000cd has a USB connection. To me the system seems full proof as I would be able to avoid latency and work largely without a computer. However I realize that the technology of the unit is limited.

Tech Specs
Dell FX laptop
1.8ghz Processor
4gb Ram

I'm inclined to trust my instincts and purchase a hard disk unit, but I'm still not entirely sure the Roland Vs-2000CD is right for me. There are not many resources online showing people working with the unit.

What is your take? Should I use a software interface or a Harddisk recorder? Each system has its unique work flow, pros, and cons.

Software Pros/Cons
Pro: Easy editing. Using a mouse, keyboard, and monitor would be very helpful
Con: Possible latency, Crashes, or total inability to configure.

Hardware Pros/Cons
Pro: Generally Stable, Dedicated Faders, Knobs, Dedicated purpose
Cons: Constricted to internal Daw, Tedious transfer of files if necessary.

I could use some help. Please give me some insight into this matter. If I forgot to address something please do not hesitate to correct me.

Also is there any other machine better suited than the VS-2000Cd. I'd prefer to have harddisk recorder with a dedicated daw similar to a software daw as apposed to traditional analog recording mediums that plague most hard disk recorders.
It seems recently however that the quality of hard disk recorders has largely diminished due to the overwhelming popularity of software recording solutions.


Thanks in advance.

well it may be pricey but you could also get a rackmountable HDR... I once used a mackie 24 track. It had 24 inputs and outputs... all the digital stuff too. You kind of need a monitor or a LCD tv to connect to it so you can arrange your projects and see what is going on.... it is like a 24 channel interface with a DAW built in.

I've looked at those but It would be too expensive and somewhat impractical.

There's no getting around the dedicated control element of a HD recorder, but don't avoid a computer interface because you're worried about setting it up. I don't really understand the latency problem either? Arm your tracks, record in and edit. Simple.

Harddisk in this instance is synonymous with multitrack. The units I have in mind are similar to analog 8 track tape recorders in the sense that they have dedicated faders and controls.

First of all, I'd focus on upgrading your computer. Either take some time and piece one together yourself, or have someone do it for you.

I think once you grasp something decent and worthwhile, it'll change your outlook on s/w recording altogether.

séance wrote:I've looked at those but It would be too expensive and somewhat impractical.

well the hard drives are removable cause they are mounted in these enclosure kinda things and you can switch between drives when they are full..... but they are proprietary and expensive from what I understand. also, those units dont have faders so you need a board too to do your mixdown.

Allow me to clarify. I'm looking for a multitrack recorder.

séance wrote:Allow me to clarify. I'm looking for a multitrack recorder.

clarification to those suggesting a better computer? or to the thing i was talking about?

Stand alone HD recorders are cool to have. I wanted one when they first came out but didn't have my funds together enough to purchase one.

Over time I found out that many of those hd multitracks had issues in some form or fashion. And IMO, that's why s/w caused a lot of them to go to the waistside.

But my skepticism about this shouldn't be a deterrent to you making a choice as to what you want and what meets your needs.

I'd go for something more "pro" oriented, rather than jumping on something such as any of the all-in-one wonder boxes if you're going for highend results.

To me the idea of having a multitrack recorder is nice as it is a dedicated piece of hardware that serves one purpose. Economically it is more feasible for me to buy a multitrack recorder than a new computer and DAW.

séance wrote:To me the idea of having a multitrack recorder is nice as it is a dedicated piece of hardware that serves one purpose. Economically it is more feasible for me to buy a multitrack recorder than a new computer and DAW.

I agree! But I'll share something with you about a multitrack mdm I purchased in the 90's.

I actually still have this recorder (adat xt20), but I barely use it because it slows down my workflow. I found that what I could do on it I could do the same thing on the daw but with much quicker results.

I guess at this stage in the game for me, experimenting had its stay for a while. But after aquiring the tools that I felt met my requirements, there was no looking back.

The rest is history...

Do you suppose my computer is capable of recording? I'm not opposed to trying a software daw, I'm just fearful because with more components you increase the chance for error.

séance wrote:Do you suppose my computer is capable of recording? I'm not opposed to trying a software daw, I'm just fearful because with more components you increase the chance for error.

Of course it can, but how well. I probably wouldn't put all my marbles on chancing it with a 5 or more yr old computer to handle any intricate work you might have to shove at it.

Piece together a decent rackmount or desktop comp, and you're on your way to enjoying many years of pleasure you thought you had to find elsewhere.

These comps now-a-days aint no joke. They're miles ahead of what they use to be like 5-6 years ago.

Unfortunately for the time being I'm stuck with my current computer.