Affordable Home Digital Recorder

Dusty Rhodes · Nov 10, 2008

I am in the market for an affordable (under $800.00) good quality digital home recording unit. I don't need 32 or even 16 track capabilities. An eight track unit would work just fine for laying down some home brewed guitar.

It does need to be able to record from external mics. I've got a couple of SM57's that need a home to plug into.

I had a Kord D1200 MKII but there was so much crap on it that I didn't need it seemed like every time I brought it out I had to read the manual again just to get started.

An onboard CD burner would be nice but not absolutely necessary. I've read up on the Korg D888 but don't know if this would be what I am looking for. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

JF Omalycat · Nov 11, 2008

I've had a D888 for two years, with no complaints. It's a pretty good, no frills, stand alone unit with eight track simultaneous.
Mediocre pre-amps, for sure, but for the money, not bad if you're looking for something mobile.
No CD burner, but high speed USB exports just fine.

Setzer · Nov 11, 2008

I have a Boss BR1200CD and cant recommend it highly enough.

It has all the effects you would ever need,great sound quality and has a CD burner.Its also real easy to use.

I know a few people who have these units and all swear by them.

Dusty Rhodes · Nov 12, 2008

Setzer said:
I have a Boss BR1200CD and cant recommend it highly enough.

It has all the effects you would ever need,great sound quality and has a CD burner.Its also real easy to use.

I know a few people who have these units and all swear by them.

Thanks for the input!!

DeFrag · Nov 12, 2008

I have a Micro BR & its only useful for recording ideas on the road.

My next recorder is the Korg MR-1000 high-def 2-track recorder. I got it because of its 2-track simplicity, no effects, no complicated menus.. just record. I wish it had a couple extra inputs but its certainly no Sound Devices ENG field recorder.. those things are quite nice, yet expensive.

The Roland R-44 4-channel field recorder is fairly capable & I considered it before settling on the Korg. The Roland CD-2e looks alright but is limited to 2 tracks. At least it has a CD burner. Though, the BR-1600CD would be the unit to have in order to capture a band with 8 pres. I can't believe its the only Boss unit with more than 2 inputs.. bah!

In my band, I've used a Fostex MR8HD with 4 tracks of simultaneous recording. I liked the unit but it had a few quirks (I suppose they all do). Alesis, Korg, Tascam, & yes.. even Zoom make some nice mixer/recorder/interface units.

I'm happy enough with my Korg MR-1000. I have to use it with a mixer though to bounce down to final stereo. All I really wanted was a recorder with at least 8 tracks of simultaneous recording & no effects. Its really too bad that there isn't very many quality 8-track recorders on the market in the $500 range besides the Korg D888 which looks promising. Perhaps a good 2-track recorder with an 8-track mixer is the best option right now. In any case, Korg seems to bubble to the top. My biggest problem is that I "don't want" to afford $700 for a capable recording solution for my son.

Dusty Rhodes · Nov 13, 2008

DeFrag said:
I have a Micro BR & its only useful for recording ideas on the road.

My next recorder is the Korg MR-1000 high-def 2-track recorder. I got it because of its 2-track simplicity, no effects, no complicated menus.. just record. I wish it had a couple extra inputs but its certainly no Sound Devices ENG field recorder.. those things are quite nice, yet expensive.

The Roland R-44 4-channel field recorder is fairly capable & I considered it before settling on the Korg. The Roland CD-2e looks alright but is limited to 2 tracks. At least it has a CD burner. Though, the BR-1600CD would be the unit to have in order to capture a band with 8 pres. I can't believe its the only Boss unit with more than 2 inputs.. bah!

In my band, I've used a Fostex MR8HD with 4 tracks of simultaneous recording. I liked the unit but it had a few quirks (I suppose they all do). Alesis, Korg, Tascam, & yes.. even Zoom make some nice mixer/recorder/interface units.

I'm happy enough with my Korg MR-1000. I have to use it with a mixer though to bounce down to final stereo. All I really wanted was a recorder with at least 8 tracks of simultaneous recording & no effects. Its really too bad that there isn't very many quality 8-track recorders on the market in the $500 range besides the Korg D888 which looks promising. Perhaps a good 2-track recorder with an 8-track mixer is the best option right now. In any case, Korg seems to bubble to the top. My biggest problem is that I "don't want" to afford $700 for a capable recording solution for my son.

Well with all that said, I'll hang onto my Korg D1200 MKII. I guess I was just looking for (as you stated) a recorder that just Recorded without all the other crap that I don't use. I don't record all that often and every time I pull out the D1200 I have to get the manual out just to figure out how get the basic tracks down. There are several menu hoops that you have to jump throught just to get going. But, since Korg is one of the best when it comes to the final result in the area that I am in, then I'll just work with it and spend the money elsewhere.

Thanks for the input.