digital multitrack recorders

Hi all,

I was having a jam with some friends and was a little peeved at not being able to record everything to separate tracks.

Also, I am getting tired of recording different tracks 4 at a time...

I have been looking at the Roland VS's, but they don't seem to have effect send & returns, or channel inserts...

I want to ideally replace my Mackie 1642 with a digital multi, but I need an efficient way to connect my effects. Also, what is the purpose of the Virtual tracks? When it says 8 or 16 playback tracks, can you play back more with the V tracks?

Thanks for any help..

ed

All tracks are virtual tracks, but you happen to have some of them routed to physical outputs. They are all the same, jsut the un-assigned one are not going to be heard although you can still process them (mixdown) or swap them with tracks assigned to outputs.

Most recorders like the VS and DPS series are not going to have much for aux returns since channel inputs are provided for this purpose (much like old analog mixers).

Analog ins on the recorders are not many. DPS12: 6 + 2 digital, DPS16: 8+2 digital, DPS24: 12 + lots digital. Roland is much the same way with 6-10 analog ins. I make the best use of my mackie 1604 as an 8-bus mixer by sending 8 channels simulaneously to the DPS16. Subs 1-4, Main L+R, Aux 1 and 2. Works great. Not sure sure of you can get the same in the 1642 since I do not think you can seaprate subs from the mains).

I got a Roland VS1680 recorder and i absoluty love that machine. I've had it for a few years and its always been my favorite peice of gear. I have it hooked up to my MPC and its made my MPC so much more easier to use. The VS recorders are great for hip hop....i remeber an old MTV celebrity cribs with outkast. If i remember he had an MPC hooked into a VS recorder.....If you get a VS recorder, make sure you at least buy one VS effects card, because then you will have access to a lot of mastering effects that can really make your final mixes sound hot. If you do buy a VS studio and you plan on doing more than just mastering your beats....if you wanna also use the recorder to record live instruments or vocals i suggest you buy a seperate mic preamp also. The internal preamps of the VS are probably its only weakness....but if you would just use it for mastering/recording beat, and some vocals; a preamp would not be that neccisary.

funny you should mention that, I have opted to sell my 1642 and get a 1604 to use with my 4 input soundcard.

although you can separate the subs from the main mix. they are identical except for the channel strips.

I saw on the mackie site that the 1604 has 6 aux sends, but only 4 knobs on the channel strips, how do you use the other 2?

"how do you use the other 2?"

There is a switch.

sweet! Thanks!