HElp which home multitrack recorder

[Rojoyinc]

I bought the FOSTEX 8MKII - wasn't bad - wasn't great... returned it.
Now I have the BOSS BR-600 ( better )but not great... small screen
lots of nested menus. Confusing to do the more advanced (arrangements).

makes noises (like computer interfererce noise from time to time while it's doing something. (like re-setting to a loop point during loop play).

I'm still not thrilled.

Now I just saw the TASCAM DP-2CF

ANY IDEA how this would compare to the boss? I read the manual and looks great - much better screen - seems to have most of the same capibilities. (no drums) but I don't really need drum machine. I'd like to scrub through the tracks counter to find edit points (accuracy) the BR600 does, but cumbersome. anyone experienced both? the BR600 is much like my MircoBR - I may be able to do something now (looking in the manual) but it's not intuitive enough to be able to do it again in the future without stepping through teh manual again.

So frustrated.

[goonrick]

Is using DAW software on your PC not an option? I know I'm not really addressing your problem, but if you go to a comptuer-based platform it's much easier to try different things without having to completely switch platforms every time you make a change. You can try different VSTi with different DAW software, use different interfaces, etc.

Just a thought.

[Rojoyinc]

been there done that... I don't like to be strapped to computer room in the summer. I tend to use these things as loopers more than demo recorders. I don't wanna demo. I just wanna play and I like doing - ryth, lead, bass etc... and building up my own layers to play a song. I often like to do it on the dock or on the porch in the summer.

I have traction3 and Cubase and well others and When friends come to play (jam) for fun, I want to record and every time I try to - SOMETHING doesn't work - a input changes or a output changes in the software and latancy pops up and well - it's a constant struggle keeping those programs working (And when working) getting them working again by simply loading them and loading the previously (WORKING THEN) project. Inputs change, outputs change... it's a full time job - and I wanna play too!

My UX8 will input up to 8 signals at a time via cubase or traction. That's all nice n stuff - but I don't record bands - just myself and or a couple friends on guitars. After several years of messing with computer DAW - I finally said I wanna STAY ON MY GUITAR STOOL ... recorder to my left- VG99 to my right - MM6 above that - I can control everything and enjoy playing.... without mousing and clicking and keyboarding - lets face it - it's a pain for the musician.

[goonrick]

Ah... Gotcha.

[Rojoyinc]

So I have Br600 here now - it's okay - not great by any means... hinging on exchanging for the Tascam. Thing is the BOSS has drum patterns NOT A BIG PLUS - but a little plus. The BOSS has 8 V-tracks for each of the 8 tracks. (64 tracks to record to) which is a BIG PLUS... doing 8 takes... and later picking the best or putting pieces of each together to make one good one. That's the single most (keeping it) thing for me.

I hate the tiny little fader sliders. (I feel like a giant) using it and I'm not a big guy. I prefer the look and SURELY the menu system, display and interface of the Tascam. I don't personally think TASCAM is as good of a name as Boss... but primarily the Tascam has 1 track per the 8. (so 8 takes only) vs 64... thats kinda the deciding factor for me. But then... pop in another CF card in the Tascam - and record another 8 tracks... But then not easily stepped through... with the vtracks - I can hit play and jump from vtrack to vtrack during play to compare. I think I may relunctantly keep this one... though it will allow me to sell my MicroBR as they're so similar.
Anyone interested? Thats for another forum area I suspect.

[garageband]

It's all down to dollars, sound quality and features. One $600 portable sounds mostly like another to my ears. $1000 ones sound better and so on. Look for one that has features or an interface you dig. There are no magical $600 recording boxes.