Topic: 8-channel multi-track hard drive recorders?

[cyfan]

I'm looking for something that essentially meets the following specs:

- 8 separate channels of simultaneous recording (no phantom power required, although a couple channels would be nice)
- Recordings at least 16bit at 44.1 khz wav
- Enough hard drive storage for all eight tracks and two hours record time (assuming 20 gig would work)
- Ability to post-mix recordings either on the unit or after transfer of individual tracks to PC
- Internal power would kick ass, but I can live with plugging the thing in
- bonus points for portability


AND ... I'm hoping to keep the budget for this unit at $700 new or excellent condition used.
Should be coming into some cash soon and this is high on my list of wants...

Purpose would be multi-track recording using individual line-outs from a venue mixing board.

Tim

[cleantone]

I reccomend the interface route over any workstation unit. MOTU just put out a little "ultralite mobile" that has I think 10 line inputs or 8 line inputs and 2 mic preamps. It is one half a rack space and runs about $550. You can do 16/44.1k or higher up to 24/96k depending on your hardware. This is a firewire unit. This does not have any hard drive storage so you need a laptop. I have never heard anyone be fully happy with a "workstation" situation.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UltraLite/

[TNJazz]

Alesis HD24 (well, for an extra $100 or so used...)

You could look into some of the Tascam Porta stuff as well, although the quality may not be what you're looking for (converters)

[cleantone]

Alesis HD24

Triple your budget and your all set. 

[TNJazz]

Alesis HD24

Triple your budget and your all set. 

Well, he did say exc. cond used.  I got mine for $850 shipped and it's in excellent condition...

[cleantone]

Well, he did say exc. cond used.  I got mine for $850 shipped and it's in excellent condition...

Thats a wicked deal. I'm looking at getting one as I told you before. I defintily want the one with better converters. I normally lke to buy new but might look for used in good condition for this unit if and when.

[cyfan]

I reccomend the interface route over any workstation unit. MOTU just put out a little "ultralite mobile" that has I think 10 line inputs or 8 line inputs and 2 mic preamps. It is one half a rack space and runs about $550. You can do 16/44.1k or higher up to 24/96k depending on your hardware. This is a firewire unit. This does not have any hard drive storage so you need a laptop. I have never heard anyone be fully happy with a "workstation" situation.

Thanks but the internal HD is non-negotiable for me. I don't have a laptop and it clearly doesn't fit in my budget. FWIW, I've been multi-tracking with multiple JB3s but I'm sick of synching the fucking things up. But I do appreciate the ability, once it is synched, to mix the channels post instead of on the fly at the show.

[Chuck]

I used the M-Audio Delta 1010 at work. It worked for about 5 years, never being turned off. I died just last week. We got the MOTU 2408 to replace it. The 2408 seems to be working fine.

[cleantone]

Thanks but the internal HD is non-negotiable for me. I don't have a laptop and it clearly doesn't fit in my budget. FWIW, I've been multi-tracking with multiple JB3s but I'm sick of synching the fucking things up. But I do appreciate the ability, once it is synched, to mix the channels post instead of on the fly at the show.

Oh. I'd be sick of the syncing too. I pretty much wont matrix anything done with different clocks anymore. PITA!! Maybe you can find a deal like TNJazz mentioned. Otherwise I have no recomendations.

Good luck.

[live2496]

I haven't used one of these, but anything Yamaha is usually very good in quality...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-AW4416-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder-EXCELLENT_W0QQitemZ7409871770QQcategoryZ85867QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You can mixdown to CDR right on the recorder.

(Not sure how you get individual tracks out of it. Maybe SPDIF).

[TNJazz]

Well, he did say exc. cond used.  I got mine for $850 shipped and it's in excellent condition...

Thats a wicked deal. I'm looking at getting one as I told you before. I defintily want the one with better converters. I normally lke to buy new but might look for used in good condition for this unit if and when.

The HD24 is easily the best thing I've bought in recent memory.  It just works.  Had one weird thing happen with it the other night, but all in all a rock solid dependable machine.

Dirk

FWIW, I didn't hold out for the XR version because I use outboard A/D so I have no need for the converters in the Alesis.  If you're going in lightpipe, the units are identical in every way.

[cleantone]

Had one weird thing happen with it the other night, but all in all a rock solid dependable machine.

So what happened? Was it machine or human error ?

What are you using for A/D? I probably cannot afford 24 channels of A/D but the XR version might be possible. Are the converters awful on the normal unit? How so if yes?

[cyfan]

The HD24 is easily the best thing I've bought in recent memory.  It just works. Dirk

There's some refurbs on eBay for $800.
Can you move the individual tracks from the HD24 to a computer for mastering? If so, how?
Or do you have to do it on the unit itself.

tim

[TNJazz]

Had one weird thing happen with it the other night, but all in all a rock solid dependable machine.

So what happened? Was it machine or human error ?

What are you using for A/D? I probably cannot afford 24 channels of A/D but the XR version might be possible. Are the converters awful on the normal unit? How so if yes?

Not sure.  I had one of the drives out of the unit for a couple of days on the fireport, and I think I unplugged the fireport without turning it off at some point.  Put the drive caddy back in and the machine told me the drive was an invalid format (several times).  Took it off and hooked it back to the fireport - no problems reading the tracks.  Did a proper shutdown and stuck the caddy back in - booted right up and the files were intact.  Weird.  I'd say operator error caused a machine fault.

A/D is a combination of RME (Fireface), Mackie (Onyx 800R x 2) and Presonus (DigiMax).  Keep in mind there are no preamps in the HD24; only line inputs.

I don't think the converters are awful, but I don't use them because the other converters I have are better than the stock Alesis ones, plus I need the preamps because I'm typically not getting line level signals.  Their limiting factor is that they only go up to 48kHz - the XR version converters are better quality and go up to 96kHz.  I don't record at 96kHz at the present time, but I could because the regular HD24 does support 96kHz via lightpipe (12 inputs only).

24 channels of good quality A/D is not as expensive as you might think though.

Tim, you can move tracks via the Fireport (sold separately for about $199 new) or via built in ethernet (the HD24 acts like an FTP server and can be connected to any computer network).  After every show I back mine up and work on the project files in Nuendo.

[cleantone]

Thanks yet again +T

I have 18 channels of preamps at this time. I of course plan to buy more rack mount preamps as I am able. Presonus and Onyx probably would not be on the top of the list. But obviously possible. I don't record at 96K EVER either though have been able to for four years. I might have once. I think it is overkill and a storage gobbler. It has it's time and place but that is not a live rock concert IMO. A fair amount of the time I could get some line inputs when I need more than I have for preamps. Obviously 24 channels is more than enough for a lot of bands. At least ones I work with.