hi all,

there's quite a few decent digital multitrack recorders out now for those of moderate budget. To name a few, there's the Boss BR 532, Fostex MR8, Zoom MR-4 and one by Korg.Do any of u use some of these newer 4/8-track recorders and what do u think of them, good points and bad? Tryin 2 decide which 2 get 2 replace my old analog 4-track.
merci

I just got a Zoom MRS-1044 10-track, (6 regular tracks plus two dedicated stereo tracks, PLUS stereo drum machine and bass track, which makes it 13 tracks really. I got mine new for $499.

It's ok, but it's still just giving me demo-quality. I haven't had a LOT of time on it to really appreciate all the special features, but for the money, it's pretty good - built in drum machine, built in guitar effects modeler, vocal effect, digital bass track to program the bass lines if you want.

It's about the size of a laptop, I keep it upstairs, as opposed to the old setup that's in the basement gathering dust now.

I've got four tunes online that I did over the weekend: http://www.blindslim.com/1g4d

Star69 used the programmable bass track. it's really just a loop, but the other 3 songs are real bass. All the songs were just me messing around for now, trying to see what I can get out of it. This weekend, I'm going back in to try to get something better - miking my guitar amp instead of relying on the built-in effects.

concordance said:

[This message was edited Wed Jan 22 21:29:23 PST 2003 by otan]

I'm using Cakewalk's ProAudio 9 software and am wondering if I should get a digital multitrack recorder. What am I missing out on? Right now I plug everything into my computer, work with it through the software (and other programs), and then record straight to CD, everything's digital. Doesn't sound bad either. Anyone here go from software to hardware? Pros? Cons? Thanks.

I use the Zoom MR-4 for just getting ideas down. It has a condenser mic that is super sensitive. I recorded a thunderstorm and the thunder went from left to right speakers. I love it, it's just hard to find.

It's really easy to use and then it has a smart media card, So I bring the wav files into cakewalk and re-record on my laptop. It's changed the way I create.

thanks jmh. have u ever recorded on all 4 tracks, then uploaded it all at once to your pc, and then edited them on the pc? if so, does the file show up with 4 fully editable tracks, or do u get just a stereo (2-track) file?
also, do u know if it gives u the option to upload one track at a time, or all 4 at once?

thanks again
peacePaixPax

I have used all 4 tracks and then uploaded to my p.c. for editing. Cakewalk is amazing with it's EQs and control

Sometimes I notice the timing is a little off (easily fixed) but otherwise it's fine.

The files are WAV files that are in stereo, but I'm still learning Cakewalk/Sonar.

Yes, it breaks them into individual wav files. I downloaded a cheap-ass utility from Zoom that I use.

The other thing worth mentioning is that I plug directly into my laptop (for one track at a time).

I'd go with Fostex, they're usually good quality.