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Multi-track portable recorders that can be used as a USB PC audio interface

mettec

mettec

Aug 22, 2005
356
22
Minneapolis
#1
I would like to know if there are any Multi-track portable recorders (2-8 track) that can be used as a USB PC audio interface. What I am wanting to do is take audio from various websites and record them on different tracks while still being able to play my bass over the recorded audio. I have a Tascam US122 Audio/Midi interface that I can listen to any media through my PC using the USB and headphone out jack but would like to be able to record various tracks without going to a software based recording.
 
#3
I've used a Zoom H4n as a portable recorder and also a USB PC interface. It works fine. The trade-off of increased portability and built-in microphones is that the user interface is not as elegant as something like the R16.

If I were buying today, I'd look at the H6. It seems like a better balance of features like portability, but with a better user interface.
 
#5
I'll see your Zoom R16 and raise you an R24:

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Seriously -- the R16 or R24 is the best unit of its type for price/performance, IMHO. The only thing it's lacking is a MIDI interface; everything else you need is there.

I use this standalone to capture band rehearsals either with the onboard mics or with Y cables on our board feeds. I also use it as an audio interface into a laptop running Reaper and then when mixing later use it as a control surface for Reaper. It's a Swiss Army knife for home studio types.
 
#6
There's an R8 version now which is less expensive but has fewer mic inputs (I think 2).

I have an R16; I cannot recommend it enough. Having 8 inputs is very handy as I like to track live drums with it.

My drums are in my basement but everything else is in the study upstairs. I can easily track my drums downstairs, then bring the unit up, hook it up to my PC, dump the tracks into Cubase and then start overdubbing right on it in a matter of minutes.

But it also works well as a stand-alone recorder in its own right. It's a little tedious once you've used up eight tracks and have to switch to the second "tier" of tracks though, as you can only control the faders on either 1-8 or 9-16 at one time. If you are really going to use more than 8 tracks, then it is much more practical to extract them into a DAW and do your overdubbing into the computer.

I assume the Zoom units still come with free software. Mine had Cubase.
 
#8
I have a boss micro br. It's capable of 1 instrument input and a line in. Not sure what you're looking for, but this thing is super tiny and light, and has lots and lots of neat bells and whistles including some pretty cool drum programing capabilities, and some really good effects. You can also import songs to play along with. Does a whole lot actually. Ya might want to look into it http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/boss-micro-br-br-80-digital-recorder . It's on sale also, $212.68.
 

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