Boss BR-600 vs Zoom HD8CD/HD16CD

[esxmac]

I am torn between these recorders and have several questions:
1. How do the drum sounds compare? Is one easier to program than the other?
2. While ease of use is a consideration, quality is much more important to me--does either unit have better quality or are they equivalent?
3. I know the Zooms can be used a a controller interface on PCs, but can they be used on a Mac with Garageband (I don't have one yet, but am considering it eventually)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[hunta]

You can listen to some samples on the boss website, didn't see any on the zoom one. I wouldn't expect any amazing drum samples on either unit.

Quality wise I dunno, but the zoom uses an internal HD vs. the boss using memory cards. I would vote for the HD.

They both have mac support, at least for transferring files to your computer. The manual for the Zoom includes directions for setting it up as a control surface for Cubase LE on PC and Mac. I don't see any mention about using the Boss unit for control (doesn't mean it can't be).

The one thing that jumps out at me is that both units only have 2 inputs. The Zoom looks to me like a better unit, because of the HD, it's ability to be used as a control surface, built-in CD burner, and just the reputation Zoom is getting for stand alone recorders.

However, for $500... I guess it's a good deal, but I'm heavily biased towards stand alone interfaces. If you have a TI firewire capable computer, you can get an 8 input firewire interface for that much and download some freebie drum machine program and audacity (or Cubase LE if it's included). However if 2 inputs at a time is all you need, and you wanna spend that much, go for it