KVR Audio

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:49 pm

For a number of reasons, I'm interested in getting a Digital Multitrack Recorder.

Since I play Guitar (or used to before I started working in the box) and have a Bass, an SM58, a Mic pre Etc ... I'm kinda sold on getting a Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder.

I've always liked BOSS (Roland) Gear but I'd be interested in hearing about your experience, advice, opinions. Any extras I'd definitely need? Anything to look out for?

I'd like to be able to make proper recordings remotely on the Digital Multitracker and then import them into Ableton. I do have some stomp boxes but it would be awesome to use the built in FX in the BR-800 as well.

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 3:45 am

I used portastudios a lot beginning then millenium, a couple of Fostex 8 and 16 track. Most productive period really, since all you can do is record.

You realize that midi recording is not there at all?

It's just for sync - I used to sync a laptop with MTC to run some drums stuff and when ready record onto porta.

Not knowing how the portabilty thing is important - and size and run on battery etc - there are options.

First - 8 tracks is really limited - you soon need to bounce around and fiddle with virtual tracks a lot.
If your moneybox allows it - I would look at 16 tracks ability.

Zoom R24 is the same price range. You are not fixed to 24/44 as BR800, but can run 16/24-bit and 44/48k as you like and want to use space on your card. 24-track playback - that is smooth. Drum loop library with a sampler and play in realtime from pads etc. Look out that internal dsp effects are only running 44k, not 96k - a bit odd.

http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/r24

I looked at Tascam stuff just in the last year DP24 or DP32 - but this was to replace daw until the very last stage - and some more money too.

Hope you figure it out...

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 9:27 am

Great advice. Thanks lfm.

The full description for the Zoom R24 looks fantastic and the price is right. I'm gonna check out some YouTube Videos.

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:35 pm

Your welcome.

mztk · Post by **mztk** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:39 pm

yes absssolutely get a recorder BUT: i've looked across all these very many
models, from divrese manufs: Boss/Zoom etc. - and looking towards options
and budget: i don't see why you'd want somthing that is dependant on a
computer...isn't that defeating the object? that's what i thought. none of
the nw ones with the nice spec have midi ports, just usb.

my needs: a standalone multitrack with MIDI, decent audio format spec,
decent storage and transfer, and ideally simultaneous multitracking in,
eg: more than stereo. ie: so you can lay down additional tracks after the
first pass, or have alternative takes etc. *and* have evrything lined up in
sync, OR do multiple input recordings.

so, as a cheapskate, i dipped my toe with a microBR, and love the thing,
excellent multipurpose minibox, hampered only by possible less than ideal
audio format, and no MIDI, but has usb, cheap SD media, 4 tracks and virtual
track x8, plus it can serve a portable amp, and/or fx box, practice device, and
guitar tuner. pretty cool for what i paid 2nd hand. and it fits in your pocket.

after that, with much perusing of boss and zoom docs, i took also the budgt
mrs-8 which has midi out, so it could be the master midi. tbh, i've never really
used it, i keep meaning to retire the excellent boss, which takes up no space,
and gets much service auditioning little takes and jams i waste my time on.
but it has the same plusses (SD, fx, etc) with the addition of crucial midi sync
capability. the only other model among the others, historically, and which
Dean Nekro, with *incredible generosity that i could not justify accepting!*
(Dean...) offered to *give* me(damn, i shoulda just grabbed at it) was the
BR1600cd, which has 8 inputs and could serve as mixer a well.
some of these things have quite annoying layouts, it appears. the mrs8 really
is annoying, with its cheezy drum+bass channels right up front, that is what i
find offputting. i looked at the br800, and the R16/24, but they are computer
slave devices - unless i got it wrong. i want midi.

mztk · Post by **mztk** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:43 pm

ps: my main thing is i just want a 'tape recorder', no pootah.
it distracts you.

if this is about guitar...hey the little microBR is very cool, for
the reasons stated above. total guitarist's tool. don't know what
the br80 is like, the later version, with more memory etc.
still no midi, unfortunately, and i don't know why they don't add
that, bcs people don't always want something the size of a dinner
plate.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:17 pm

I've been looking up a million and one websites today. There are so many options.

I'm also thinking that I'd need a small set of active monitors, which means a little less money on the recorder.

The Boss Micro BR-80 looks good but the Boss BR-800 looks better. Boss FX seem to be better than Zoom FX. The Alesis Elevate 3 Studio Monitors look good (enough). Me and my guitar might get along well with those.

Anyway, I'm obviously still looking around, so if anybody has any more ideas, let me know. I appreciate your help.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:57 am

Someone just recommended the budget 'Presonus Eris E4.5 Active Studio Monitor Speakers (PAIR)' to me.

I'll have to check them out later.

Tascam Digital Multitrackers seem to have a bad rep for build quality etc.

tapper mike · Post by **tapper mike** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:36 pm

mztk wrote:yes absolutely get a recorder BUT: i've looked across all these very many
models, from diverse manufs: Boss/Zoom etc. - and looking towards options
and budget: i don't see why you'd want something that is dependant on a
computer...isn't that defeating the object? that's what i thought. none of the new ones with the nice spec have midi ports, just usb.

There is no "not computer" multi-track audio recorder that also records to midi. Though some might house a midi sync track. Which is what I used when playing around with 4-track cassette format.

If the op only wants to record two channels at a time like the BR then I'd suggest an R8 from zoom. Still I'd opt for an R24.

The R24 (like the others) allows one to get away from the computer. And if you are like me where your entire world revolves around computers it's nice to get away from them. I've read that it's somewhat a pain to record the drum pads at first so read the manual. For a singer/guitarist who wants to focus on performing the recording while and "keep it real" in the recording process it's ideal.

I did standalone multi-track recording with a Yamaha AWG for many years. Only retired when I picked up my THR10-C and Mixcraft.
While it doesn't have mic inputs the THR is a great little amp and soundcard (with a few other bells and whistles http://forums.songstuff.com/blog/159/en ... -that-can/

Working with Computers can be a pain when dealing with mic'd content. The Fan inside the computer, hum from single coils, etc, etc. Having a standalone device like a BR or a R24 can be a blessing, If you:
. Have a great idea in the middle of the night and have it near your bedside
. Find yourself working in your car.
. Don't want to deal with the noise that computers bring to the table.
. Find yourself easily distracted when you are on the computer and want to do other things.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:25 pm

Thanks tm.

SOS Zoom R24 Review.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan11/a ... om-r24.htm

Interesting: Home Recording Studio Based On Zoom R24

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Zoom%20R24%2 ... tudio.html

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:20 pm

(a) My heart is still leaning towards the BR800 after all of that. My head is too.
(b) Presonus Eris E4.5 Active Studio Monitor Speakers (PAIR)
(c) Extra Card or Cards (up to 32GB)
(d) RCA Cable to connect BR-800 Monitor Outs to The Eris E4.5

That's how it's looking at the moment anyway.

Almost forgot:

(e) A cable to connect my MP3 Player to the Presonus. Handy little feature that.

___________________________________

Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder
Presonus Eris E4.5 Active Studio Monitor Speakers (PAIR)
Stagg 2m Neutrik Twin RCA Cable
8GB SD Card - HC Class 4 Flash Card (x 3)
Pro Music 3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack Plug to Stereo Mini Jack

That still might be a little bit more than I want to spend. I'll have to do some more thinking ... later.

mztk · Post by **mztk** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:48 pm

MIDI for sync start/stop on microBR...

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:51 pm

mztk · Post by **mztk** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:26 am

for microBR:
just found this, had not seen before:
http://songcrafters.org/64guitars/BR/BRX/index.html
http://songcrafters.org/64guitars/BR/BRX/BRX_Help.html

i was looking for a batch converter to speed up backup process.
boss offers the BR Wave Converter 3.10/BRWC310/BWRC.exe,
but that cannot do an all in one backup. i thought i needed to have
the microBR connected via usb to dump to pc, but just found out
BRWC can read straight from SD on a card reader, and so probably
also from directories on a drive - so i can just copy the data folders
across in one and convert 1x1 later.

off to check out what this alternative file manager can do. (pre-dates
BRWC310, looks like)

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 7:13 am

I got the BR800 back in January.

It's really helping me to get back into playing guitar but starting again from basics and improving my left and right hand technique. All the things I should have done when I was younger.

I'll check out those links mztk. They look interesting. Thanks again!

Should I get a Boss BR-800? or other?