Standalone multitrack or not?

[fatsobasso]

I have about 1200 bucks,i would like to know, is there a stand alone multitrack recorder that you like or should i go the pc or mack route?what do you recommend, and what setup would you recommend, remember like $1200.

I will be recording mostly acoustic guitar,electric,vocals,bass. songwriting basically.

 

[Roadman]

Here goes the standard TB response... are you ready... here it comes... it depends.

Going the computer route opens up more options and you only have to buy the interface and software.

The stand alone route is better for recording live gigs. Just take the direct outs from the board, and there you go.

What are you trying to do and what is your comfort level with the the rabbit hole of modern recording?

 

[Calebmundy]

I think a laptop and an interface is as easy for live recordings as a stand-alone multi-track. In general I think the computer route is much better in every way, except for the fact that a computer setup requires more setting up, and is more likely to crash-although still not that likely.

My preference would be a mac laptop, which when you add an interface and some software will definitely run you more than $1200, but if you are willing to start with Garageband (which is a fantastic program and is included with the computer), you could probably put it together.

 

[depalm]

I think a laptop and an interface is as easy for live recordings as a stand-alone multi-track. In general I think the computer route is much better in every way, except for the fact that a computer setup requires more setting up, and is more likely to crash-although still not that likely.

My preference would be a mac laptop, which when you add an interface and some software will definitely run you more than $1200, but if you are willing to start with Garageband (which is a fantastic program and is included with the computer), you could probably put it together.

True, and depending on your budged and the kind of job, a refurbished Mac laptop could be an excelent cost-effectiveness.

 

[Hawaii Islander]

Several people I know on music forums use Boss Multitrack recorders and they make good sounding recordings with them.

I like the BR-1600CD version and would get one if I had the cash (I don't )
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Boss has a good demo video on their website. It would be worth taking a look at just to see all the features this thing gas.

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

Having literally posted the same thread a week or so ago I can provide a pretty up to date answer. Hands down the computer is the way to go. Once you go and see what a standalone is capable of and then compare it to computer recording there really is no choice. They both cost about the same assuming you have a decent computer but the computer is almost limitless in the possibilities for expansion.

I was looking at the Boss BR1600 CD and for what it is I think it is a pretty good tool. But as someone pointed out in my thread a digital stand alone is old school. That thought alone stood out in my head when i went shopping as the thought of spending a lot of cash on something that was obsolete did not sit well with me.

I ended up purchasing an M-Audio Firewire 2626 Interface (new to market) and M Powered Pro Tools. I am on the bottom end of the learning curve going up hill but it is an interesting climb. These 2 items set me back $1080 and I added an 500 GB external harddrive for another $125 and I am ready to go. The Boss was $1172 and and 1 store had a Korg standalone that was probably comparable to the Boss that they were clearing out for $972

Now if I could just figure out how to turn it on........

Happy hunting!

 

[hunta]

For $1200, you could build a desktop PC ($400-500 +100 for a monitor if you need one), buy an 8 input interface ($500), and still have a little left over for software. It would rock a multitrack, unless you need to record live shows.

 

[bkbirge]

For standalone I'd go with an Alesis HD24 for that budget. I love 'em and they are rock solid and sound great but I also am a holdover from the 2" tape days so the interface is what I'm used to.

I hate pro-tools type of rigs but they are the standard now so you'd probably be best served in the long run by going that route.

Heck for $1200 these days you could probably pick up an old Ampex MM series 24 track. Good luck fixing it when it breaks down or finding a good source of tape though.

 

[JohnDavisNYC]

2" is the mutts nuts, but i'm more and more of an exception these days in my love for hitting 2" hard at 15ips/CCIR... but the sound does the talking for me....

anyway, my undying love for large format analog aside, unless you really want to get into the high end (something like Radar, the only digital format i love) computers are pretty much the way to go... flexibility, compatibilty, editing, over obsessing with perfection, thinking you can mix your own record, all that fun stuff...

it is certainly a rabbit hole, but for personal recording, i think that a computer makes the most sense for most people. and mac is pretty much the only way to go for recording. sorry. can of worms, i know. but as far as the professional world goes, true.

but lets keep it away from that and just say :computer

john