Topic: Multi Tracking at home...PC or Recording unit?

[jmon]

hey all, I've been thinking alot about buying something to multitrack with. At the moment I don't have anything. So I'm basically trying to decide what would be better, a PC, or an all-in-one recording unit. I've been looking at the Boss BR 1600 CD, and it looks pretty sweet. 8 XLR/Mic inputs, each with dedicated compression and eq. Drum loops and programmer, bass programmer, EFX, vocal toolbox (harmony, pitch correction) and a mastering kit. 40 gig Hard drive with CD burner. The biggest drawback I see so far: only one set of outs, RCA. But it does have USB for transferring files... $1395

http://www.roland.com/products/en/BR-1600CD/specs.html   

On the other hand, I could buy a computer and the extras to allow multitracking, but I don't really know what all this entails. I think it would be more expensive, but maybe worth it to have all the extras that you can do with a computer. I thik portability is pretty important to me, so I would probably want a Laptop. Would it be a pin in the ass to multitrack with a laptop?

If any of you guys know anything about the Br 1600 CD, or have any suggestions about PC recording, I would appreciate any feedback. Maybe a list of what I might need to get if I go with the PC. Thanks...

[wbrisette]

it might be easier to tell us what it is you plan on doing with it. Do you want to record your band, or is this something you would take to clubs/bars/music halls to record bands?

It really does make a difference in recommendations.

Wayne

[Billy Mumphrey]

after trying the stereo audience recording thing I soon wanted more and explored the live multi-track option. wayne is right, it makes a big difference:

-do you want to put a track on each individual instrument/vocal?
-how many players in band? (or how many tracks do you want)
-will you have access to everything? (board, stage, amps, etc)
-is it the same band everytime or will you be switching to various groups? in other words do you want to be flexible with your gear or will it be a controlled, predictable, environment?
-do you want to be able to mix everything later or are you mixing on the fly?
-what is your budget?
-do you know ALOT, some, a little, or nothing about computers?
-is space/portability an issue?

Just as Wayne said, all these questions and more affect your decision. 

[jmon]

ok, sorry for the vague question without the details....I am mainly looking for something to use at home, recording myself and others when we jam together. I write and play alot, so I also want something to just record ideas with, so I don't keep forgetting them. So it seems pretty simple so far, but I also want the ability to track several instruments at once when we play. Something I could produce a nice demo with. Portability is important, but moreso in case I want to go to someone else's place and record stuff. I'm not really officially a taper, but I'm interested in recording this type of stuff. I doubt i would take it out to bars/clubs very frequently. I work on a computer every day, so I'm knowledgeable about computers, but not recording with computers.

As a songwriter, the Boss is appealing because of all the extra tools it has. I could lay down guitar, then overdub a solo, put some drums and bass on it as well, all in one unit. I could basically make a demo of a four piece band all by myself. And I know you could do that with the computer (and several programs) as well, but this thing is made for just that, all in one place.

so there it is, hopefully this will help with suggestions...

[Billy Mumphrey]

it appears you're looking at more of a semi portable home recording solution. I have only researched field recording solutions.

[jmon]

well, thanks for your time anyway Chanher...I edited the title to indicate home recording instead of field recording. Any others have suggestions for me?

[Billy Mumphrey]

+t and good luck, lmk if decide to grab some field stuff

[phrazelle]

i used this http://www.vsplanet.com/Pages/Products/VM3100/index.html for 2 years, and it did everything i would want a multi track to do.  it interfaces with a pci card, so it stays digital.  the package i got came with logic rpc as the sequencing program.  it also has every kind of out (minus xlr) that you would want (coaxil, optical, rca, 1/4", etc.).  i recorded a demo with it if you would like to hear a section of it.  this one you could probably find cheap on ebay.  thats where i ended up selling mine to purchase a pmd-670    any more questions about home recording or whatnot, you can pm me or just post again.