Multitrack Recorders
A hard disk recorder is the way to go
if you don't want to have a computer as the heart of
your studio. Even with the right computer you'll
eventually face certain problems so if figuring them
out isn't your bag go with a hard disk recorder.
Getting started on one of these is easy, but they do
go fairly deep with what you can do as far as editing
and effects. It's really a computer in itself.
Benefits of using a digital multitrack music recorder system over a computer system:
- All-in-one - no need to worry about which software program to use or having enough hard drives. If you do need more room you can always dump what you have on the drive to an exterior drive via the USB connection.
- Expanbable - you can always add to this portable studio with monitors, and outboard effects proccessors, although they come with enough to satisfy most people's needs, some even have a built in vocal pitch corrector. Get a good mic and you're good to go.
- Very stable - no need to worry about computer stability or operating system compatability issues.
- Portable -unplug it and take it anywhere for your next recording session.
These stand-alone recorders are slightly more expensive than buying a computer interface to use with a software recording program on your computer. If you decide to go with one of these it's important to know that if you're recording for a professional sounding CD you should spend more than a few hundred bucks since the cheaper ones have poor quality effects and EQ's built into them, although fine for demo recording.
Here's some of the most popular and easiest to use 16 bit or 24 bit Recorders:
TASCAM Porta 02 MKII Portastudio Blue
This is the little baby that started it all! It doesn't get any cheaper or easier than this 4 track cassette recorder. You can plug your guitar directly into it. This is a great tool for the songwriting stage but not for high quality digital recording. I had a lot of fun with one like this back in the 80's! You can still get a brand new one for around a hundred bucks.
TASCAM DP-01 Digital 8-Track Portastudio
Fostex MR16HD 16-Track Digital Recorder
These Fostex multitrack recorders are super versatile and can do just about everything you'll need to do in your home studio.
You can record 4 tracks at once and 4 of the inputs are analog. It lets you mixdown all 16 tracks to another file which you can access for mixdown so your number of tracks are really endless if you use this option.
Fostex MR-8mkII 8-Track Digital Recorder