What's the best digital recorder for the money?

[Nipsy]

Hi people,
I just have a quick question. I am looking to buy a digital recorder, and I want to know which one is the best for the least amount of money. I have done alot of research on them, but haven't had a chance to play with them. I am counting on everyones experiece to guide my decision.

Thanx!
Nipsy

 

[Ang1970]

That's a bit of a loaded question, innit?

How about you let us know a few things?
Like...

• what do you plan on recording?
• how many tracks do you need?
• what do you consider best quality? (good enough for demo? good enough for classical recording?)
• what do you consider the least money? (is there a budget?)
• will this be a permanent install or does it need to be portable?
• will you be using this just with yourself or to record others?
• do you plan to make money off this venture at any point?
• do you already have outboard gear and mixer, or does the digital recorder need to include these things?
• of the recorders you already researched, which ones seem to fit your criteria?

 

[Nipsy]

Very good point!!!!

Basically I just want something that is demo quality, portable, under $1,000.00, more than 8 tracks, with good editing features.
I plan on trying to record others along with myself, and yes I have outboard gear (just fx units with no gates or compressors) and I do not have a mixer.
So far, I am leaning towards the Akai DPS12i, used.

What do you think?

 

[Ang1970]

I like the way the Akai sounds, but I know a few who don't. Personal taste. You'll have to try for yourself.

The Korg sounds amazing for a little box and I think it's within your price range.

I'm not impressed by the sound or reliability of the Rolands. Again, many people love it. YMMV.

My advice is try them all before you buy. Other people's advice will only go so far.

 

[noelhartough]

I have used Rolands,and Akais. I just bought a 16 trk Fostex VF16 for $799.00
I really believe that this unit is easiest to use overall. I first got the 8tk version and LOVED it. VERY easy to use, and sounds great! I got the 16 because it came with SCSI out, had another effect unit, and obviously 16 Trks instead of 8. I have spent alot of time with home digital stuff.
Fostex is AMAZING for the money! Very intuitive. I found the Roland difficult to navigate. The Fostex is great in that regard. There is now an internal mastering upgrade that is standard. Really look at the Fostex VF series.

 

[GZsound]

If "for the money" is indeed your criteria I would check out the Roland VSR880 rack mount eight track recorder for under five hundred dollars. I know very little about the Rolands, but for the money it appears to be pretty hip. It has eight analog I/O's and a SCSI port.

 

[Bob Olhsson]

Potentially the new 2000 dollar Alesis 24 track by a mile. I say potentially because they just came out and there is little experience with them yet. They are definitely the product to watch in my opinion.

 

[mats.olsson@rockfile.se]

Originally posted by Bob Olhsson:
Potentially the new 2000 dollar Alesis 24 track by a mile. I say potentially because they just came out and there is little experience with them yet. They are definitely the product to watch in my opinion.

I've heard that editing on the Alesis is destructive (= no undo's). If this is true then it's a major issue, other than that - the machine looks very intresting indeed.

/Mats

 

[Tymish]

I was been looking forward to the Alesis HD and then Mackie came out with the MDR. Now since three of my friends have picked up the Mackie I'll probably go with the Mackie if not just for disk compatibility with other studios. The general mechanical feel of the Mackie is a bit more confidence inspiring plus the 10 times faster file transfer.