Digital gig recording

In the old days, I would take a 4-track tape to a gig and record it across four simultaneous tracks as follows:

1. mic #1
2. mic #2
3. feed from PA
4. DI from bass

The mics would be placed to pick up a pretty good mix. The PA feed would help to put the vocals on top, and the direct bass track will add back in some punch as needed.

I have tried 2-track digital, but setting up and playing doesn't allow a lot of time for balancing inputs and I haven't had these come out too well.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen a digital HD 4-track that has the ability to record four simultaneous tracks. Even the eight tracks seem not to do it, or at least not to have more than 2 XLR inputs. Am I blind?

The best looking thing out there that does what I want is the BOSS BR1600, but that's awfully big. I don't mind paying $1000 or so for the right piece of hardware, but I'd rather it were a bit more portable.

Are there any experts out there with ideas?

Thanks-
Bob

 

I am a PC guy not a mac guy, but I would consider a USB or Firewire based recording device. I would still want the four inputs, though. We don't play out as often as I would like, and everyone is continuously changing gear and what have you, not to mention a complete lack of discipline when it comes to managing volume. I tried recording to a stereo mix a few times and the results weren't good, that's why I am looking.

One thing I was wondering was if you could use a pair of 2-input USB devices simultaneously to record four inputs?

-Bob

 

Thanks for the reply. So you wouldn't think that USB could handle something like a pair of Tascam US-122s pushing four channels of audio? Should I be waiting for USB 2 versions of these devices to come out?

Looking at your recommendation, why would I want the Edirol rather than a stand-alone unit like a Yamaha AW16G or Boss BR1600CD? I think the Yamaha is in about the same price range. My goal isn't pro-quality demo discs or anything like that, just a better-than-cassette record of the gig for converting to MP3 for posting or passing out to friends. In previous attempts with anything less than the four inputs I have named, there has always been something missing.

I might also double-duty the device to do solo songs, but I suspect that just about anything will be good enough for me to play with in that regard. Again, I have no pro aspirations.

I just don't get why they make the jump from two inputs to eight inputs. Am I the only one in the world that would like a reasonably sized four-input recording solution?

-Bob