Recorders

I recently got a Zoom F8n Pro recorder and noticed when using phantom-powered mics the level jumps with a loud audible thump on headphones. Is this normal?

As a songwriter, I write, record and master on my beloved Boss BR8 (I'm soon to updgrade, possibly to the Tascam DP32). Would...

The sound of analogue tape is still revered, but acquiring and maintaining your own machine presents a unique set of challenges.

Hugh: It's strange. A few years ago I used tape machines almost every day, but now it is something of a...

I have been trying to upgrade my Roland VS1680 hard-disk multitracker, as it has no CD burner. I have seen the Korg D3200...

Many of us feel compelled to regularly change our PCs in line with the demands of the latest software. But, depending on our requirements, an older PC may still be more than capable of doing a great job, as PC Musician discovers this month.

My band members and I wish to find an easy and affordable way to record and disseminate arrangement ideas. Currently, we...

I am a guitarist and I want to buy a four-track digital recorder for less than £300. Do you have any recommendations?

I read Tom Flint's piece on the Zoom MRS1608 multitracker and think it may be the right machine for me. I still use a...

Can you help me understand the effects routing on my Roland VS2400CD and how to 'print' an effect to a track?

I have a song recorded as a MIDI sequence on a Yamaha QY700 hardware sequencer which I'm trying to record onto a Yamaha AW16G...

I recently purchased a second-hand Tandberg reel-to-reel tape machine and I'm having difficulties connecting it to my external hi-fi...

Could you explain the subtle differences between all the different variants of Dolby — A, B, C, HX and SR?

I use MIDI-sequenced sound modules for backing, so I am considering the option of sync'ing my sequencer with my AW4416 and running the modules in time with the recorded material. Or is it more sensible for me to record the module outputs to the hard drive?

Back in 1986-7, there was an ad for an amazing and inexpensive technique which, it claimed, added many more audio tracks to your eight-track reel-to-reel tape machine. How did it work?

I previously owned a DPS12 and that was fairly simple, but the DPS24 manual talks about using 'groups' to route inputs to tracks. What is a group and how are they used?

I have a Roland VS2480 connected to a PC via a co-axial cable to transfer audio digitally to the DAW. When I set the digital clock source to the PC's co-axial input everything is hunky dory. If I disconnect the PC and use the internal digital clock in the VS, it plays back at a slower speed. Why?

A friend of mine has a couple of old stereo tape reels which he'd like to transfer to CD. I've seen stereo reel-to-reel tape machines for sale and I'm considering investing in one, probably a Studer or a Revox, not only to help out my friend, but also because I'm interested in experimenting with tape loops and tape saturation effects. Are old machines by these manufacturers reliable?

Recently, I bought a digital recorder and have been re-recording some of my old compositions from scratch in digital but, to my great disappointment, I am finding that my mixes are sounding harsh and cluttered. I thought digital recording would give me more clarity in the mix because of its higher fidelity. Where am I going wrong and what can I do about it?

The SOS staff and contributors answer another selection of your technical questions.

Some users of the Roland VS2480 discovered that their unit's inputs suffered from significant harmonic distortion for signals above -6dBFS...