Just wondering if there are many out there still using the old multitrack recorder?. The reason i ask is that my Fostex MR8 has just gone wrong and belts for my old Vestax MR100FX are no longer available. Is it time to start with the computer i wonder?. I really like the old multitrack recorders but maybe i'm being left behind. If i do switch to using a computer is there a really basic recorder program out there?, i have used Audacity a couple of times for vinyl transfering but not multitrack recording. Also, latency (not sure that's spelt right)i hear this is a problem.

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Ahh ha ha, ever get the feeling you've been cheated?

I moved over and recently bought a dedicated computer for audio with a Focusrite Liquid 56 and use REAPER as my DAW
I am loving it
No latency with the Focusrite and it has the ability to use various headphone outs, mute apeakers etc (the little things that make life easier), and for that reason I would recommend a unit like that as your interface (the 56 is firewire which is brill)
I gave my TSR8 and large heavy mixing desk and all the cabling to the local school. They use the mixing desk for their stage productions etc. Not sure if they ever bothered to fix the TSR8

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Sam

*All* digital recording systems create latency (even the Liquid 56!) - there's no avoiding it.

But...

Latency is not such a big problem. Many audio interface manufacturers allow you to monitor your sources prior to your DAW (I do it this way using RME's TotalMix), or you can add a hardware mixer ahead of your audio interface to provide monitoring.

If, for some reason, you really *must* monitor through your DAW then latency will affect you, and the trick is to reduce buffer sizes to get the lowest latency possible before you begin to hear drop-outs and clicks. Modern audio interfaces and computers allow for very low buffer settings.

The bottom line is, if latency was such a big problem, then none of us would be using DAWs!

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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

Quote stollypop:

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Just wondering if there are many out there still using the old multitrack recorder?. The reason i ask is that my Fostex MR8 has just gone wrong and belts for my old Vestax MR100FX are no longer available. Is it time to start with the computer i wonder?. I really like the old multitrack recorders but maybe i'm being left behind. If i do switch to using a computer is there a really basic recorder program out there?, i have used Audacity a couple of times for vinyl transfering but not multitrack recording. Also, latency (not sure that's spelt right)i hear this is a problem.

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Latency is an issue when "plugging in" virtual instruments to a track in a DAW. There will always be SOME delay when playing in real-time. It can be minimised, but never completely eradicated. But it doesn't stop us playing and recording virtual instruments!

Otherwise, latency can be worked around. It will always be there, but you can monitor in ways that bypass it completely. (Systems that advertise "Zero Latency" are lying. What they mean is "a monitoring path that avoids the place where latency happens". This is simple, easy and cheap to arrange. No big deal.)

Basic point - digital recording works, and tracks line up. Don't worry about joining the mainstream. Lots of things are MUCH better and easier too. For instance, you'll never again have to sweat over getting a drop-in dead right!

Yes, there are really basic programs. But aren't you beyond "basic"? Embrace today's tools and fly! The only mistake you can make is shackling yourself by hankering after a DAW that looks EXACTLY like a tape system.

I still have a 4 track and occasionally use it, it's nice to have in the studio if you are in the mood for it or want a specific sound/tape effect but I wouldn't go back to exclusively using one.

I'd get another 4 track as I think they are nice to have about not to mention cheap (I picked up my fostex for 8 quid few years ago) and at the same time see if you can find a DAW you are comfortable working with.

It's nice to have both options there imo depending on what mood you are in

I love the DR-680. Up to 6 tracks analogue (with better than decent pre's on all channels) plus 2 digital for inputs. Can be chained and they hold synch-and they start and top in synch, though the flawed documentation would not suggest this to be the case. Runs a long time with good batteries (AA)/battery management with robust phantom power. On board mixing including MS for recording (to two additional tracks) or playback with very good converters in and out. Very full feature set.

This is an "at once" acquisition device to bring things to your DAW-but does offer an analogue or a digital mix out, and individual analogue outs, as mentioned above.

If your needs are other than "at once," then an interface would be a better choice.

Since the OP asked specifically about 4 and 8 track recorders, though, this is a box that delivers. Not remotely in the same category as the smaller hand held multi-tracks (or the larger Zoom products)-though this one is not much larger than the small ones.

I still used my Portastudio up until 2010, using it as a kind of preamp and sending the output through an external soundcard and into the computer.

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Do you need real drum tracks? http://www.drumtracksdirect.co.uk/

Quote:

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All* digital recording systems create latency (even the Liquid 56!) - there's no avoiding it.

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But the Focusrite 56 allows you to monitor your input before it goes to the 'puter
Therefore NO latency
Is what I meant you know

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Sam

How about a Zoom MR16? It works both as a stand-alone recorder and as a computer interface to give you the best of both worlds.

Personally I use Reaper on the PC but I still treat it in a similar way to a tape machine, especially when dropping in/out. I also find a hardware transport controller to be very useful.

James.

PS - if you can handle a Fostex MR8 you should find the computer a doddle - my wife has an MR8 and I find it painfully slow to use for anything other than very basic recording.

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JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net

Edited by James Perrett (11/06/12 08:57 AM)

Quote whis4ey:

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But the Focusrite 56 allows you to monitor your input before it goes to the 'puter
Therefore NO latency
Is what I meant you know

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Unless the monitor chain is all analogue then there will always be at least a small amount of latency thanks to the A-D and D-A conversion.

Quote Sam Inglis:

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Quote whis4ey:

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But the Focusrite 56 allows you to monitor your input before it goes to the 'puter
Therefore NO latency
Is what I meant you know

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Unless the monitor chain is all analogue then there will always be at least a small amount of latency thanks to the A-D and D-A conversion.

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It's just as Sam says.

And marketing folk do like to tinker with our wish-words, knowing that we only read what we want to read. Hence such common phrases as 'near-zero latency' and those ever-so convenient inverted commas!

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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

Ach now yer splittin' hairs
LOL

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Sam

Quote Sam Inglis:

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Quote whis4ey:

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But the Focusrite 56 allows you to monitor your input before it goes to the 'puter
Therefore NO latency
Is what I meant you know

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Unless the monitor chain is all analogue then there will always be at least a small amount of latency thanks to the A-D and D-A conversion.

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Yup. So if you're one of those folk who are sensitive to minimal latency in their input monitoring (generally "acoustic" vocalists who prefer a low level in their cans I believe) arrange monitoring directly from an external analogue mixer, before the signal hits an A>D convertor at all. Just like we always did - multi-track recording was possible and successful back in the days before ASIO when digital latency was an immovable 0.75s or so!

Still using an old Creamware Scope system here, gives 0 latency minus the 1.5ms converter delay.

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www.medwaystudios.com

With the Liquid 56 software you can mute the track you are recording and take a direct monitor from your input and get no latency

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Sam

im just going back to using an 8track, sick of computers, mouses, updates, etc...

im loving the immediacy of turn it on and go with the zoom r16 i had for a while, although i sold this before id decided. Doh! It didnt work very well as a PC interface.

So looking for another. And a big desk.

But what i really want is an 8 track digital recorder with 8 OUTs as well.. they all seem to have 8 ins, and a stereo out. Id love to be able to record 8 tracks, then play them, dub it up on the desk and record back down to stereo. Heaven!

Any thoughts?

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http://www.paradigmx.com

in response to the mod (Mike) locking the other thread - apologies. Wasnt trying to spam the forum.

I thought a new thread would stop this one being derailed. i couldnt reply in the other thread as its locked~!

So apologies all round, bit of a booboo.


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http://www.paradigmx.com

Edited by Paradigm X (21/06/12 05:06 PM)

Have you considered looking for something with an ADAT out and coupling it with a Behringer ADA8000?

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Ohm's Law states, "Your PA isn't as powerful as you think it is".

Slightly off topic, but...

Latency didn't start with DAWS - try playing a biggish church (or theatre) organ. The Compton at the Sunderland Odeon was notorious before it was transplanted into a smaller hall - some famous players struggled with it.

You can get used to quite a delay between the key press and the sound with enough practice though.

Quote Paradigm X:

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in response to the mod (Mike) locking the other thread - apologies. Wasnt trying to spam the forum.

I thought a new thread would stop this one being derailed. i couldnt reply in the other thread as its locked~!

So apologies all round, bit of a booboo.

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No apologies necessary Para!

What you're asking is a legitimate development of the thread so no probs there. As I said on t'other thread, life gets complicated with double-posts with two parallel (and sometimes conflicting!) sets of answers. Eeee... it gets yer 'ead in a right ol' spin it does!

I knew it was done with the best of intentions so all's well....

Now... back to your question. From what you've said I guess you're looking to use the 8-track digital like an 8-track tape machine. I don't know of any m'self although I think the no longer in production Korg D888 may have had this facility. They sometimes pop up on EBay or Gumtree, but they're a bit like hens' teeth...


Now back to your point

Sorry for the delay in thanking you all for your advice and answers, much appreciated.

My Fostex MR 8 is at the repair hospital undergoing surgery at the moment, had a call from the surgeon with some questions on Monday and no news since, so fingers crossed.

If he doesn't pull through i think i'm gonna go for a Zoom 8 or 16 trk recorder, i don't think i want to go down the computer road if i'm honest.

Anyway, thanks again.

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Ahh ha ha, ever get the feeling you've been cheated?

Quote Mike Stranks:

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Now... back to your question. From what you've said I guess you're looking to use the 8-track digital like an 8-track tape machine. I don't know of any m'self although I think the no longer in production Korg D888 may have had this facility. They sometimes pop up on EBay or Gumtree, but they're a bit like hens' teeth...

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Cheers mike.


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http://www.paradigmx.com