Hi,

I've decided, for a number of reasons, that using a PC for recording is not for me, though I may use one for editing and mixing songs with more than 16 tracks.

I'm looking at buying a second hand recorder.

These are the ones I'm looking at:

Yamaha AW4416
Yamaha AW2400
Tascam SX-1
Akai DPS24
Roland VS2480
Korg D32XD

I have some reservations about each unit, but was wondering if anyone has particular experience that might help me decide which is best for me.

I like the SX-1 but I a concerned about the cost if in 6-18 months time something goes wrong with the unit. If something stops working on it or it develops a fault, will I be able to get it repaired?

I had heard that you can still get the Yamaha units repaired if they develop a fault. The AW4416 looks like a capable unit?

The Roland unit looks capable too but again have some concerns - don't they use some sort of proprietry system for data storage?

Pre's are something to consider too - which unit do you think has the best pre's?

Again, there seems to be some support for the Akai DPS24 and Tascam SX-1, but it's one thing trying one out and another having had real experience... any comments appreciated.

I'm interested in any views or experience highlighting where a unit excels or how they compare in the real world.

Any help appreciated as I'm torn between them!!

Thanks
Darren

Use a Zoom R16 or R24 for tracking and simple mixes. Dump the files to a computer for more complex editing.

Use an outboard mixer with the Zoom if you need monitor sends etc. If not, keep it simple.

This is the best of both worlds. True simplicity and portability when required. Full resources of a DAW when required.

Don't be put off by the cheapness of the Zoom units. Getting audio data saved as a WAV is a pretty simple job, and they do it effeciently.

Today's episode is brought to you by the word "simple".

I love my trusty Aw4416.

I had a Yamaha AW16G. Well built and very reliable, had the built in CD burner. Technologically, nothing wrong with it, it was a good unit.

However.

In terms of having to navigate through god knows how many menus and having to refer to the damn manual all the bloody time, it was even less intuitive than the PC I had.

Thats not necessarily an endorsement of PC's over hardware recorders, but I guess it depends on why you're doing it. For what its worth, I found myself lamenting god knows how many times how things were so much easier with an old cassette based Fostex 280, just plug straight in and go.

But. Providing your reasoning for saying pc's arent for you is not one of intuitivity (? is there such a word?), then I dont think you'll go wrong with the Yamaha. cant speak for the others, but our technophobe songwriter has a Zoom which he uses extensively rather than a PC.

Maybe a second hand Alesis HD24 or something similar (think Tascam did one as well..) may give you more flexibility and is expandable and still supported by the manufacturer?

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www.alterzero.com || "Semper in excremento sum... solum profunditas variat"

Quote DBrook007:

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Hi,

I've decided, for a number of reasons, that using a PC for recording is not for me, though I may use one for editing and mixing songs with more than 16 tracks.

I'm looking at buying a second hand recorder.

These are the ones I'm looking at:

Yamaha AW4416
Yamaha AW2400
Tascam SX-1
Akai DPS24
Roland VS2480
Korg D32XD

I have some reservations about each unit, but was wondering if anyone has particular experience that might help me decide which is best for me.

I like the SX-1 but I a concerned about the cost if in 6-18 months time something goes wrong with the unit. If something stops working on it or it develops a fault, will I be able to get it repaired?

I had heard that you can still get the Yamaha units repaired if they develop a fault. The AW4416 looks like a capable unit?

The Roland unit looks capable too but again have some concerns - don't they use some sort of proprietry system for data storage?

Pre's are something to consider too - which unit do you think has the best pre's?

Again, there seems to be some support for the Akai DPS24 and Tascam SX-1, but it's one thing trying one out and another having had real experience... any comments appreciated.

I'm interested in any views or experience highlighting where a unit excels or how they compare in the real world.

Any help appreciated as I'm torn between them!!

Thanks
Darren

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There is no support for the SX-1 in the UK. It hardly sold over here, it was very popular in the states. If your in the UK I would suggest a second hand 2488 or something if you are going to go down the TASCAM route.

Regards

Gary
TASCAM UK

Loved my AW4416 too, when I had one. A very capable all-in-one; I used it for location work but have long since changed to a HD24XR and 01v96 for that role.

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"It's not pretty, also you can't dance to it." - Frank Zappa
www.bluelizardstudio.com

I am also putting a vote in here for the Zoom R24.

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http://www.elteto.net

Another plug for the Yamaha here as an AW16G user. I will concur with the comments above about getting to grips with it though....it's a tricky process, although it is worth it once you've sussed it.
There's a useful and active Yamaha users' forum which is heaps more use than the manual; the manual is all but useless. There are also decent and easily understandable "how to..." documents available on the users' forum which are of far more use.

Akai DPS24 is very capable but also quite expensive. I think you should also consider the Akai DPS16 which is missing from your list - very capable 16 track recorder capable of 24/96 as well (reduced to 8 tracks I think but pretty sure you can use 24/16 without penalty). In my opinion it's the best of the 16 track recorders.........

I sold mine last year - they crop up for about £200...bargain really.

The Akai DPS12 is less compelling unless it's a bargain.....ie under £100......

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Jonny

Do you have a url link to the Yamaha user forum?

Thanks,
Darren

The AW4416 site at socialentropy is dead (although it had forums for all the yamaha recorders everyone ended up posting on the AW4416 forum, even the new machine users)

The forums seemed to get a bug a couple of months back and were no longer active, and now the whole site is gone. This is a shame as it was where you could still get a lot of links and the free AWExtract software. It was also a very friendly, helpful site with lots of good advice. Quite busy as well, for a site for a 10 year old piece of kit.

I guess it was just too much work for "ripe", who ran the site to get it going again. Can't complain, the guy kept the site running even though I don't think he used his AW4416 for the last six years or so.

So sorry to say the AW4416 site has finally died.

http://www.dijonstock.com/index.php?page=forum

That's the site I've been using; looks like it's still active and it's always been useful for me.

Another thing you might consider for the Korg and Tascam 2488 is that someone is selling a custom card, which you have to fit yourself, that allows you to connect a vga monitor. The Korg would be my choice with the DPS a close 2nd.

I recently sold my Mackie HDR24 and went InTheBox, but am missing it already. It is the immediacy of it. When I record on the PC I start faffing about with all the VST's and other distractions. When in fact all I need is not all the gizmos but a good take in the first place.

I have seen the Korg as little as £450 on eBay with the 2488 as low as £175 but the Deeps they don't usually go for less than @ £700 but they too have a USB connection and with AK.SYS software can edit on a PC

Quote OneWorld:

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It is the immediacy of it. When I record on the PC I start faffing about with all the VST's and other distractions. When in fact all I need is not all the gizmos but a good take in the first place

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YES, exactly!

Finally developed enough PC/DAW literacy to be able to do that though, thank god. Cubase 5.5 has advanced enough to thankfully be able to get some of that immediacy back, but there are times when that old Fostex 280 would come in soooo useful...

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www.alterzero.com || "Semper in excremento sum... solum profunditas variat"

Without doubt the DPS24 is the best choice if you can find one.

I sold mine some months ago but sorely wish i hadn't, it's the most solid peice of kit iv'e ever owned, used it for live mixing too..

Also, you can add up to 24 optical ins and outs so you can interface with a DAW and use plug ins to mix with, rock solid reliablity, awesome preamps touch sensitive motorised faders, excellent automation, nice interface, fast, easy to use and sounds great.

There is a support website, i think called DPS world, check it out before you do anything rash!! i think it will help you..

Really, forget all the others they really do suck in comparison, this was the best unit of this type ever made..

Be patient and keep your eyes open..

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The most punk thing you can do is stop listening to punk.....
http://www.bandmix.co.uk/iain-hamilton

Quote OneWorld:

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I recently sold my Mackie HDR24 and went InTheBox, but am missing it already. It is the immediacy of it. When I record on the PC I start faffing about with all the VST's and other distractions. When in fact all I need is not all the gizmos but a good take in the first place.

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So, bless your little cotton socks, DON'T faff around then! I can understand going hardware if you've had a flakey computer or you need portability. But because you can't control yourself? TAKE control! :-)

I purchased a KORG D16XD four years ago, and still love using it. My main purchase consideration was for a decent number of Mic ins' - 8 XLR as standard with individual phantom to which I added the optional TB2 Tube Input/Compressor card which brings me to 10 mic/line in, plus ADAT 8 Channel card in/out - plenty for any project I have encountered so far. The Korg Pre's are fine, and the standard 8 channels of very decent analog compression is very useful also. Sound quality using the 96khz option is fab, but so are the lower rates and therefore rarely used.

All in all, a great piece of kit.

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www.thespell.co.uk

You should seriously also consider the Korg D1600 MkII.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL_Nhca1Izc
http://www.korgnorthwest.com/D1600.htm

The advantage the Korg D1600 MkII has over some other newer machines is the SPDIF in (and out), which means that you can use a nice preamp with converters (I use the dbx 386) and get the audio into the machine.

It is also built like a tank (but weighs much less than one!). In the interests of full disclosure - I am about to put my D-1600 Mk II onto ebay (since I tend to use PCs now), but if you are interested, let me know!

Cheers

Len

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www.youtube.com/leonardngmusic

Quote Len:

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You should seriously also consider the Korg D1600 MkII.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL_Nhca1Izc
http://www.korgnorthwest.com/D1600.htm

The advantage the Korg D1600 MkII has over some other newer machines is the SPDIF in (and out), which means that you can use a nice preamp with converters (I use the dbx 386) and get the audio into the machine.

It is also built like a tank (but weighs much less than one!). In the interests of full disclosure - I am about to put my D-1600 Mk II onto ebay (since I tend to use PCs now), but if you are interested, let me know!

Cheers

Len

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I sent you a private message - thanks - darren