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Help! Need multitrack recorder much easier than Boss BR600!
- Thread starter MaryMary
- Start date
Thanks for all the input and tips! Sounds like Reaper might be the way to go.
Correct... sorry that wasn't clear. The tracks will be layered, not all at once. I'll be playing different instruments, but one at a time!
Correct... sorry that wasn't clear. The tracks will be layered, not all at once. I'll be playing different instruments, but one at a time!
- Oct 13, 2009
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Still think Reaper on a computer is the way to go.
But Zoom makes some cool standalone units that are really easy to use. I had an R24, R16 is cheaper, I think there's a new one too, but I haven't really looked into it. Col thing is they also work as interfaces, so you can easily pair it up with Reaper too. Best of both worlds.
But Zoom makes some cool standalone units that are really easy to use. I had an R24, R16 is cheaper, I think there's a new one too, but I haven't really looked into it. Col thing is they also work as interfaces, so you can easily pair it up with Reaper too. Best of both worlds.
it was free for what, 10 years? I guess they just changed it. I use reaper professionally (and I own my own license for it because it's the best daw, period. final).
But I guess we can't recommend it as unlimited free trial any more. That's really too bad. Everybody I know who got to the point of actually being productive with it to the point of making serious music, bought it voluntarily. It's very cheap.
I really am disappointed that the license system didn't work out for him though.
Still, best deal in DAWs considering it is the fastest, lightest, most stable, cross platform, and extremely extremely fast and easy to use daw in the world.
I say that after using many of the biggies professionally for the past 23 or so years.
I personally also recommend zoom for portable records, at least the r16 that I own. But for me it's easy - it might not be for a noobie.
I have a Zoom R16 and I can't recommend it enough.
It does have a bunch of effects, but I never use them. I use it as a simple plug in and play/record, it's very intuitive. It has a couple of built-in microphones which are not studio quality but they're not bad at all especially for capturing ideas quickly and clearly. It can also run on batteries (AA) which I like as I can use it anywhere. Record up to 8 tracks simultaneously, playback 16 tracks.
There's a new unit, the R20, which seems to be pretty much a R16 with a nice colour touch screen. That makes it more versatile, but if all you want is to record ideas and share etc, I'd stick with the R16.
edit: it also works as a controller, so if you end up using a computer + Reaper (for example) at some point, you can hook the R16 up and use it as a physical interface to control faders, arm/disarm tracks, etc.
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I liked it because it was much like using an old tape 4-track recorder (anybody here remember the Tascam 424 and its siblings?). Barely used the manual, it's that easy.
Garageband and an iPad is pretty darn intuitive.
You can lay down a basic drum loop, use easy chords to build a structure, copy and paste song sections, use the built in mic, and email or text the song right to your group chat.
This can all be done with out a single wire or cord…well maybe a headphone wire or charger.
It is the demo and composing machine I always dreamed of. You can do it all sitting on the couch or at your table.
You can lay down a basic drum loop, use easy chords to build a structure, copy and paste song sections, use the built in mic, and email or text the song right to your group chat.
This can all be done with out a single wire or cord…well maybe a headphone wire or charger.
It is the demo and composing machine I always dreamed of. You can do it all sitting on the couch or at your table.
Some might argue that these are the reasons why a computer based solution are a disadvantage. The sheer array of endless options can send the novice down a large rabbit hole. A all-in-one hardware solution with limited options forces you to work within it's constraints and hopefully spend more time playing and recording that finding the perfect reverb.
Indeed. The isongs channel on youtube demonstrates how intuitive it is, just with the inbuilt sounds. Add a recording interface and it's even more powerful.
One other option is the Zoom H6. Yes it’s great for recording gigs but I find I use it for laying down ideas with either my electric bass or DB. Sound quality is really good. Plugged into a A/C adapter, you can just leave it on and hit record as the mood strikes you. Also the built in mics are really good and it has 4 additional mic/1/4” inputs. All in a package about the size an effects pedal. Screen is easy and really clear to use. Even for this old guy.
Note: I’m also a long time user of Logic Pro and this is easypeasy for me. I can also pop out the SD card from the recorder and remaster in Logic.
Note: I’m also a long time user of Logic Pro and this is easypeasy for me. I can also pop out the SD card from the recorder and remaster in Logic.
I used the Tascam DP-008 for years but never really liked it. (I thought its cassette forerunner was much more user friendly). The knobs are tiny and too close together for normal size fingers. There are no effects other than reverb. I am much happier with Audacity and a $50 Behringer interface. The visual display makes editing light years easier. I was actually amazed I was able to sell the DP-008 for $100.
For capturing song ideas and mixing tracks I've been very happy with Mixcraft. It has a trial version and well-loaded versions available from $99 up. Its been simple and in most cases intuitive with a useful forum to get help. It is best to use with a decent computer and interface, but doesn't work with mac (get garage band free) but is well worth checking out.
For the OP's intended purposes and how it will be used I recommend a Zoom R8. It's simple, almost as easy to operate as a old school cassette recorder, less expensive than it's larger brethren, and you can go record under a shade tree in the park with it. All you need is a pair of headphones.
I owned it's larger counterpart, the Zoom R24, and now own a Zoom Livetrak L-8.
I have a full PC setup with an interface and Reaper for a DAW for doing videos or serious editing located in another part of the house, but keep a small area in the basement for just having fun.
For "quick and easy" it doesn't get better than simply using a loop pedal. It is the quickest, easiest method for developing ideas or just plain fun.
Here's how I would typically use my looper:
I owned it's larger counterpart, the Zoom R24, and now own a Zoom Livetrak L-8.
I have a full PC setup with an interface and Reaper for a DAW for doing videos or serious editing located in another part of the house, but keep a small area in the basement for just having fun.
For "quick and easy" it doesn't get better than simply using a loop pedal. It is the quickest, easiest method for developing ideas or just plain fun.
Here's how I would typically use my looper:
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Hello. Another vote for Reaper here.
No way! I was hoping you were actually playing all the instruments at once.
With the caveat that I haven't actually used it yet, the zoom R20 has a pretty sweet looking interface that shows the individual tracks like a DAW and color codes them to faders. Having used the br600 it looks amazing by comparison (if a little extra for your needs).
I would never spend a dollar on conceptually outdated things like these multitrack recorders. For twice as much money I buy a new Macbook Air, I would use GarageBand which is extremely simple and intuitive, in other words, it won't make anyone get lost in the thousands of plugins available or "computer things". In addition, this Mac can be used for dozens of other tasks, if that's the case for the OP. A good cheap 2+2 interface like SSL-2 and a headphone complete the package. Will spend just over 1K. Just my suggestion.
I use a Zoom L-12 for tracking, then import my tracks into Cakewalk for mixing and polishing. It works really really well. A completely no frills simple and straightforward recording process with pretty good quality. I prefer this route to using a computer to record because frankly I'm in front a computer literally all day long and can't bear to be in front of it when I just want to lay down some tracks. Unfortunately that also means I also have quite the backlog of sessions to mix haha.
One thing to note however is there is no MIDI. If you are using to using MIDI to keep everything synchronized the Zoom L-series probably isn't what you want.