What's The Easiest To Use Eight Track Recorder?

I'm starting to look into home recording. I don't need anything to elaborate. But, it's got to be simple to use. I could go with a stand alone with built in cd burner or computer software. Simple to use is really important. If it's complicated, I won't end using it.

The two I've been told about is a Boss 900 with cd burner and Presonus Firebox. I really don't know much about either one.

What's your suggestions?

Res

I have the Presonus Firebox. Only thing I will say here is there is a learning curve for direct to pc recording. The audio interface is great and has worked fine for me. It came with a light edition of Cubase which I felt was difficult to grasp. I'm using Sonar Home Studio 4 and haven't found the instructions too bad but I was already reasonably familiar with the whole concept.

Couldn't tell you about BOSS digi track recorders but as you already know the ZOOM units have complicated poorly written instructions. Took me 6 months to figure the MRS 8 out, all except rhythm programming.

Best of luck

my main beef with the standalone units is the tiny screen. while i'm going thru the direct-to-computer learning curve Stu's talking about, at least i have a 19-inch screen to see what i'm doing. make sure your computer's up to the job though -- check out specs etc.

the Firebox has a good reputation -- i considered it before a free interface tumbled into my hands, seemingly from heaven!

I started with a Tascam 4 tracker (now in the Classifieds,) then I'd used various things that planted me in front of a computer. But, I tired of setting at a computer, or needing a computer to record at all (and worrying about hum, and so on.)

Then, Santa brought me a Boss BR-600 and I'm in love. It's 8 track, the size of a small book with a cool carrying case, and is pretty easy to use. It takes batteries so I can even sit out on the porch, take it to rehearsals and use the onboard mics, and so on. I just can't speak highly enough of this thing.

Then when I'm all finished with whatever it is I want, I can export the wavs and finish them off in Audacity, etc., or I can remain un-technical by just recording them through the line out and then burning it to CD. The more advanced units have the onboard CD burning that you mentioned though, but I've never personally tried them.

Here it is: http://www.roland.com/products/en/BR-600/index.html

I did add a footswitch so I could stop-start recording without having to press the button and get my hands back on the guitar, and when at home I use my Boss effects power-pack to save batteries.

I started with a Tascam 4 tracker (now in the Classifieds,) then I'd used various things that planted me in front of a computer. But, I tired of setting at a computer, or needing a computer to record at all (and worrying about hum, and so on.)

Then, Santa brought me a Boss BR-600 and I'm in love. It's 8 track, the size of a small book with a cool carrying case, and is pretty easy to use. It takes batteries so I can even sit out on the porch, take it to rehearsals and use the onboard mics, and so on. I just can't speak highly enough of this thing.

Then when I'm all finished with whatever it is I want, I can export the wavs and finish them off in Audacity, etc., or I can remain un-technical by just recording them through the line out and then burning it to CD. The more advanced units have the onboard CD burning that you mentioned though, but I've never personally tried them.

Here it is: http://www.roland.com/products/en/BR-600/index.html

I did add a footswitch so I could stop-start recording without having to press the button and get my hands back on the guitar, and when at home I use my Boss effects power-pack to save batteries.

sounds like a sweet setup! one of the things that drives me crazy about computer recording is NO FOOTSWITCH. and the price is right... hmmmm!

A couple questions. With computer based recording like Presonus Firebox, how important is the computer sound card? I bought a new HP in December that has the dual core processor, 2 gig of ram, large hard drive etc., but the sound card is just one that's built into the motherboard. It works fine with my music and the Bose companion 3 speakers. But, would I need an upgrade to like one of the high end Soundblaster cards?

As far as the stand alone's like the Boss 600, what can you use with these besides headphones to monitor the sound? I have a stereo receiver and the computer in my music room. I also have a Roland AC60 acoustic amp.

Res

I upgraded to an M-Audio card. Two good ones I've used are the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 card (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Audiophile-2496-PCI-Digital-Audio-Card?sku=701341) for $99, which is a good stereo soundcard, gives you two channels in/two channels out. Or, for $199, there's the M-Audio Delta 1010LT (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Delta-1010-LT-PCI-Digital-Audio-System?sku=701376), which gives you 8 in/8 out.

Very nice!

Tim

A couple questions. With computer based recording like Presonus Firebox, how important is the computer sound card? I bought a new HP in December that has the dual core processor, 2 gig of ram, large hard drive etc., but the sound card is just one that's built into the motherboard. It works fine with my music and the Bose companion 3 speakers. But, would I need an upgrade to like one of the high end Soundblaster cards?

Res

The audio interface (Presonus Firebox or whatever) will take the place of your soundcard/soundchip. Usually the recomendation is to totally disable you existing sound card through your device manager and only use your audio interface. The Firebox links to your puter through a Firewire port.

So no you don't have to upgrade your soundcard, the interface will handle everything.

As far as the stand alone's like the Boss 600, what can you use with these besides headphones to monitor the sound? I have a stereo receiver and the computer in my music room. I also have a Roland AC60 acoustic amp.


Besides headphones, I have a set of Edirol powered monitors, and I've also plugged it into the front of my Onkyo receiver and into the stereo return on my Acoustasonic. All of which sound better than playing back on the computer.

... and I don't have to mess around with routing my sound back through various devices, or having my windows alert sounds play through whatever device I'm recording with. Man I *hate* dealing with that (and sometimes things "reset" my preferences.

I'm soooo in love with a little device I can tote around and just throw in it's bag when I'm done.

Thanks for the response. As you can see, I know little or nothing about all this.

Res