Looking for a Good Multitrack Recorder. Yes, a hardware one.

As the title states, I've decided, for now at least, that I really don't want to touch my laptop at all if I don't have to. I work on it all day and I make music to get away from that. Ideally I'm looking for something that sounds good for mixing/mastering sample based Hip-Hop out of the 8 analog outs, though an ADAT option would be nice as well. I will not be doing vocals, just beats. Looking for something with solid and simple effects (again, sample based Hip-Hop doesn't need TOO much if you are getting the right sounds in at the start). Also, it would need to have to have a USB option to transfer the finished, or mostly finished, product to the laptop for emailing/posting and the like. I've looked into the VS2000 (and the 2400/2480), the Korg D16, and the Korg 3200. At the end of the day though, I will not be doing any crazy recording so I don't want to get anything overkill either. Remember, basically just the 8/10 outs and that's it. Anyone have any experience with these pieces? Are there any other pieces that I should be looking into? Advice is appreciated.

You've named the good ones. I have two vs2000's, a vs1880 and a vs2480. If adat is a must then get the vs2480 Or 2400.
If 24bit and higher than 44.1khz is important then go with 2480, or 2400 or 182 or 1880. However the best value is the vs2000 with vga.

Ican tell u all u need to know in depthh about most hardware mixers. I will pm you my number.
Cheers
Ian

Ian Canefire wrote:You've named the good ones. I have two vs2000's, a vs1880 and a vs2480. If adat is a must then get the vs2480 Or 2400.
If 24bit and higher than 44.1khz is important then go with 2480, or 2400 or 182 or 1880. However the best value is the vs2000 with vga.

Ican tell u all u need to know in depthh about most hardware mixers. I will pm you my number.
Cheers
Ian

Now that I'm looking again, it seems like the VS2000 is the only VS that has the USB that I'm looking for. Is that right? I really don't want to deal with scsi anything and/or CDs for that matter. USB and an on board HD, which they all have, are very important.

Edit: Looks like I've narrowed it down to the VS2000, D16xd, or the D3200. I am still taking suggestions and if you have any experience with either/or, let me know.

Stay away from the D3200...you want the Korg d32xd, it has usb, and lots of effects. The d3200 is the unlucky child of the korg bunch. D32xd is possibly the best multitrack recorder. It was one of the last ones made and it was in league with the vs2480. They are hard to find. It has better features than the d16xd.

Note that you can get the vs2480cd or dvd version and get parts and convert it to a memory card accepting machine.

Why is usb a must have?

In any case you can get great recordings out of a vs2000 at 24bit 44.1 khz. Try to get you vs2000 for no more than $500
ian

I use ZOOM R24. $500. It has USB. Everything you record is saved on a CF card. I recommend it to anyone. Just update it on their website when you get it.
I've had VS series gear, I've has Boss gear, I've used KORG gear in the past.
The R24 works just as fine. IMO.

I hear there are issues with the Korg multitrackers.

Can't go wrong with a VS, its stable and built like a tank. There is a learning curve to master it though but you'll love the sound of it and can pretty much do basic recording if you want to.

You might want to check out the Tascam D24 or the ZOOM R24. Both are easy to pick-up and learn and possess more than 8 outs.

Those are my three choices.

Ian Canefire wrote:Stay away from the D3200...you want the Korg d32xd, it has usb, and lots of effects. The d3200 is the unlucky child of the korg bunch. D32xd is possibly the best multitrack recorder. It was one of the last ones made and it was in league with the vs2480. They are hard to find. It has better features than the d16xd.

Note that you can get the vs2480cd or dvd version and get parts and convert it to a memory card accepting machine.

Why is usb a must have?

In any case you can get great recordings out of a vs2000 at 24bit 44.1 khz. Try to get you vs2000 for no more than $500
ian

I guess USB isn't a must have if there is a way that I can get my work off of the unit without the need to use SCSI or a CD burner. I'd rather not go through that. I did look into the CF card mod and then I completely forgot about it. I'll have to look into it again. Thanks for all your help so far.

SILIS101 wrote:I use ZOOM R24. $500. It has USB. Everything you record is saved on a CF card. I recommend it to anyone. Just update it on their website when you get it.
I've had VS series gear, I've has Boss gear, I've used KORG gear in the past.
The R24 works just as fine. IMO.

Is the R24s sound quality and effect quality, good?

Sounds like Silis got a good machine, I have not used the Zoom machine I have only read about timing problems...

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end- ... blems.html

The D3200 has a timing problem.

For some people timing is not a big deal. For me it is a big deal, when I found out one of my machines had midi jitter I was unable to use it unless I had something else time it as master. I am a picky artist and I do not excuse the flaws in a product. So to each his own.

Tight timing no bugs VS2480(RDAC is a nice sound, noticeable), VS2000(clean uncompressed)
Great sound, lots of bugs Akai multitrack
Great sound not feature rich Yamaha flagship multitrack
Clean sound, features, rare, Korg D32xd and d16xd both are uncompressed

None of these will give you the amount of features you see in a computer DAW of course. Used to be DAWs were finicky and less powerful, now they are powerful, faster and tight timed. I have a feeling that the box multitrack will make a come back in a more powerful feature intense form soon because manufacturing has gotten so cheap and the processors so powerful.

If you can't find the gear you want at the right price, I can sell you my VS2000 with vga expansion for $425 not including shipping. Use mine as a reference point. Let me know. I am not in need of a sale but would for a forum member.

Sounds like you don't want to be looking at a computer monitor...if that is the case then the VS machines aren't for you because you are still looking at a screen. (you don't have to use a big monitor though) lol

peace,
Ian

PS @ maze... I PM'ed you my number.
PPS I forgot to mention VIRDIS....and if ya don't know now ya know... http://www.virtualscsi.com/virdis.htm

Ian Canefire wrote:Sounds like Silis got a good machine, I have not used the Zoom machine I have only read about timing problems...

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end- ... blems.html

The D3200 has a timing problem.

For some people timing is not a big deal. For me it is a big deal, when I found out one of my machines had midi jitter I was unable to use it unless I had something else time it as master. I am a picky artist and I do not excuse the flaws in a product. So to each his own.

Tight timing no bugs VS2480(RDAC is a nice sound, noticeable), VS2000(clean uncompressed)
Great sound, lots of bugs Akai multitrack
Great sound not feature rich Yamaha flagship multitrack
Clean sound, features, rare, Korg D32xd and d16xd both are uncompressed

None of these will give you the amount of features you see in a computer DAW of course. Used to be DAWs were finicky and less powerful, now they are powerful, faster and tight timed. I have a feeling that the box multitrack will make a come back in a more powerful feature intense form soon because manufacturing has gotten so cheap and the processors so powerful.

If you can't find the gear you want at the right price, I can sell you my VS2000 with vga expansion for $425 not including shipping. Use mine as a reference point. Let me know. I am not in need of a sale but would for a forum member.

Sounds like you don't want to be looking at a computer monitor...if that is the case then the VS machines aren't for you because you are still looking at a screen. (you don't have to use a big monitor though) lol

peace,
Ian

PS @ maze... I PM'ed you my number.
PPS I forgot to mention VIRDIS....and if ya don't know now ya know... http://www.virtualscsi.com/virdis.htm

Any VS8F cards in there? I'll peep the PM in a bit.

looks like there is a vs2000 for sale in florida for a steal...$300

http://orlando.craigslist.org/ele/3761909873.html

or

http://austin.craigslist.org/eld/3753490271.html


I am amazed that more people are not using hardware..the cost/benefit is just phenomenal.

I would never part with the VS8f cards. You would only get the one that comes with the machine of course from me. Those cards are gold mines especially the vs8f3!


Anyway...if you don't know about it use "Adhuntr.com" it searches through all of the craigslist posts. I am on there everyday looking for used gear.

Peace
Ian

Is the R24s sound quality and effect quality, good?

Yes the sound quality is as it good it gets.

"Records WAV files at 16 or 24-bit, at 44.1/48kHz sample rates"

The built in effects can all be manipulated to your liking.

"Over 100 built-in effects, from guitar amp modeling to mastering effects"


I haven't had any 'bugs' pop up after I ran the latest update.
If you read any old reviews on it, they talk about a few bugs but they have been fixed. I use it plain and simple "record in" no fancy shit.
You can dump all the stems from your tracks to a DAW seamlessly, if needed.

SILIS101 wrote:Yes the sound quality is as it good it gets.

"Records WAV files at 16 or 24-bit, at 44.1/48kHz sample rates"

The built in effects can all be manipulated to your liking.

"Over 100 built-in effects, from guitar amp modeling to mastering effects"


I haven't had any 'bugs' pop up after I ran the latest update.
If you read any old reviews on it, they talk about a few bugs but they have been fixed. I use it plain and simple "record in" no fancy ****.
You can dump all the stems from your tracks to a DAW seamlessly, if needed.

I noticed that the R24 doesn't have midi, unless I'm missing something. How do you sync it then?

USB.

Thanks for all y'all help so far. Im really eyeing a 16xd now. For some reason, its calling my name. I know its not the 32xd but I'm sure its more than enough. The VS2000 is a close second. Now, its all about the dough.