Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

[The JEM Ghost]

Hey guys


I am finally looking to part with my old DigiTech GNX3 workstation, it's been a nice workstation but the main reason I kept it around the last years is because of the integrated 8-track recorder.

Now I definitely would like to have a seperate multitrack digital recorder to replace the one build in the GNX3.

I don't like PC recording at all, because of many reasons, I am not saying PC recording is not good or whatever, not at all, but it's just not for me, so that's out of the question.

I would like at least four tracks availble to record on, phantom powerd XLR input would be nice (for recordings with an external condensor mic for example), a jack input suitable for guitar off course, build in reverb of decent quality that is mixable to tracks, the ability to mix tracks and do some EQ and vol/pan work on them, a large display that is easy readable would be nice too, and if the darn thing would be somewhat user friendly and easy to use it would be very nice hehe

I have been looking around a little and come up upon a couple of models that seem to get my interest:

- Fostex MR-8 MkII
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/MR-8_Mk2.shtml

-Tascam DP-008
http://tascam.com/product/dp-008/images/

-Zoom MRS-8
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/mrs8/index.php

I was also trying to find out the price of the Boss BR-600, but was unable to find any in stock in Europe so far, maybe they have stopped importing it over here, I must look a little further into it.

Out of the three I have highlighted here, the Zoom and Fostex are probably the oldest ones, the Zoom seems to have the most features, but how is the quality of those features?? (kind of as in: Quality over Quantity)
The Fostex has (like the Zoom) something "toylike" about the appearance of the knobs and shifters... Maybe the quality is OK, but it looks a little toylike to me. The Fostex seems to missing any EQ options too.

I don't know guys, maybe I think too much about devices that I have no experience with at all, it's time to help me out!

All thoughts and suggestions more then welcome!
Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

Exactly what I wanted to do a last month! I've had my GNX3 since they came out and they are super convenient but I just don enjoy the tones anymore. Modeling has gotten so much better. I also dont like being tethered to a pc to record and want to be able to do some quick rough clips with the band.
I grabbed the Tascam and am very happy with. Its is small but its much sturdier than you would imagine until you hold it. Its got some good weight so it doesnt move every time I do. I'm not familiar with the others but once you learn this one its pretty easy to use. The internal mics are great too. I was expecting video cam quality when I brought to a jam but I was way wrong. It picked up everything great.It didnt let the drums drone everything out and vocals and bass were there too.

 

[Mattr4president]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

I have the Tascam DP008 and it is probably one of the top 3 purchases i ever made. Easy to use controls especially if yoiu're familiar with the portastudio menu's. 2 track simultanious recording. and the built in mics sound amazing. I take it to every practice, place it on a stool in the room with guitars and drums and vox goingf at once and hit record. so much would be lost if i didn't do this. it may not have all special stuff expensive 8 tracks have but believe me you, cannot beat this for the money. Only con is you should get a power supply (sold separate) cause it eats batteries. and a 2 gig SD card is nice but plan on buying a bigger one. it'll be years beyond your pedal 8-track there.

Edit: You can edit the EQ in digital menu display. Quality product, had it for a year now. I compared all of those when i started looking and felt most confident with the tascam. They started the original porta-studio game and they do a helluva job.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

Thanks for the replies so far guys, much appreciated!!

I was mixing up the Tascam name and Fostex name in my original post but I fixed that, I ment the Fostex had somewhat of a toylike appearance, not the Tascam!

A little question on the Tascam, does it let's you change EQ on tracks and does it save those changes to your actual track and not just for playback on the Tascam device?

The Tascam got most of my attention from the start, I got to admit it attracted me the most out of the three. The Zoom came second because (on file at least) it seems to have more capabilities/features compared to the Tascam, but on the other hand, I am worried about the quality of those features on the Zoom, and their "ease of use" or a lack at that in the worst case (I hate non-logical and complicated menu systems). I am also able to find quite a bit of these Zoom MRS-8's second hand, another reason why I got interested in those, but even if the Zoom has more features, I got a feeling that the Tascam would be more decent.

Thanks in advance for any further input!

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

You can EQ the inputs pre recording or the track after recording when mixing the master track right on the unit.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

Thanks for the reply kjrocks!

Aha, I think that's a nice feature on the Tascam, if you can do some EQ afterward when mixing the master tracks and doing all that with the unit! Sounds great!

BTW: funny that our situations with the GNX3 are exactly the same, lol, I also had it for a long long time, did not like the modeling on it anymore and got it replaced for that part with a Zoom G7.1ut, but could not part with it because of the convenient built in 8-track, haha! To complete the irony, I think I should get the Tascam DP008

 

[Mattr4president]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

Yes you have an eq in the menu screen for each track that you can adjust after recording. Nice feature and even the built in reverb sounds good.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

And definitely spring for the power supply.

 

[macki]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

I am not sure of the ones that you are asking about but I do own a Boss BR1200. I used to have an analog 4 track back in the day and this is my first digital multitrack. It floors me how good they are and the ease of use.

I find the loops/phrasing arrangement the most powerful aspect. The drum loops sound great and its very easy to combine loops into a song. I thought initially that I would use the drum and bass machine but I didn't really like how they sound. The COSM effects for bass and guitar are avaliable (though I don't use them) and you can post eq/compress/reverb any track after recording. You get 16 virtual tracks per "track" so you can try lots of different ideas for sections and listen to them later.

Not sure if this helps?!

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Digital multitrack rec: tip me off

Thanks for the replies people, much appreciated!!

Kjrocks, you are absolutely right about getting a power supply for a device like this, I would not even bother powering it with batteries, a power supply is indeed a must imho.

Macki, thx for your view on the Boss BR-1200! It is sure useful to read! The Boss BR-1200 seems indeed a very good recorder, with a lot of possibilities, but unfortunately it's out of my budget. I've been looking around for BR-600's but could not find any in stock at the time. Thanks for your input my friend, even if the BR-1200 is out of my budget, your info is still very useful!