software

What is a good basic digital multitracker for home use? Main use would be for songwriting and home demos, but might also want to use it for basic band demos. Built in drum machine would be nice.

Any recommendations?

Hi Simon
Depends what you mean by basic.
The very basic ones (under 200 quid) have no hard drive but use memory cards, which dont hold that much. If you can avoid these then do.
If you go up the scale a bit then you can get one with a built in hard disc, and up the scale a bit further also a built in CD player.

There are a couple of good deals at gak.co.uk
This Tascam DP-01 is an 8 track with a built in hd and USB so you can connect to computer and copy onto your computer CD (assuming you have one) and is 270 quid:
from : localhost/good thing about this is its very easy to use - based on the old tape ones they did. They also do a DP-01fx for about 50 quid more, and at this sort of price this is a great deal. The problem with these is they dont have built in drum machines, and also you can only record two tracks simultaneously, which is worth bearing in mind if you want to do band demos.
The zoom mrs-802 is 300 quid, and has a built in drum machine, and space for a CD burner which you can install yourself quite easily if you know what you are doing.
from : localhost/you are willing to spend 500, here is the absolute bargain:
from : localhost/has drum machine, built in cd and hard drive, is 16 tracks and you can record 8 tracks simultansously. I bought a korg 12 track about a year ago, but this is the one i would have gone for had i been buying one now.

Thanks zak. Plenty of food for thought there.

no probs. The main thing is to understand all the different features and know what you want before you buy - its quite a minefield and much more complicated than buying a guitar!

I use a Zoom MRS 1608 which I think you can get for around £600 now. I choose this over the competitors for pretty simple reasons really. Firstly, it's designed with guitarists in mind, so us dummies can get round this machine with few problems. Secondly, It's one of the few that allows XLR cables for all inputs. I've always prefered XLR cables (three pin plugs) to jack leads, simply because they're balanced. I've never been convinced by the balanced jack plugs either. Depending on what gear you've got for recording already I say go with what fit's around your current setup most easily. Or if you're just startng in the home-recording game then I suppose you've potentially got a choice of everything that's available. Although I say for the cheaper 16 tracks Zoom appealed to me the most I wouldn't recommend the smaller Zooms. If you specify how many tracks you think you'll need then I'd be able to be more specific in my advice. Otherwise I'm gonna base whatever I tell you on assumptions. And remember, you always need more tracks than you think you will. If you want to record a full band then drums alone can take up to eight channels. Though to be honest most people only use 3/4 mics on a kit. But you should bear this in mind.

the yamaha can be had NOS/closeout for $800 now ... not the latest and greatest, but still very very solid performer

A PC with some software also can be just as nifty, with more flex...


Originally Posted by More-Gear-Than-SkillA PC with some software also can be just as nifty, with more flex...

Yes, I know, but I like the idea of something portable and not being tied to the room where the PC is. I don't have a dedicated music room and I have to take my opportunities where and when I find them!

Thanks for all the tips guys.

HERE'S WHAT YA' NEED...........
from : localhost/store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...LuPv2ItOzEJ2rQ

The ULTIMATE in portability amp; the wife will love ya' for it!!!

I've got a Boss 532 cheap off Ebay. Although it has memory cards (which can be purchased cheaply) - I've found it to be a great bit of kit.

It has build in effects/amps and a backing/drum track feature. It has more features than I will every use and huge manual but having said that it is simple to use and is robust enough to carry about.

I chose the multi tracker route as opposed to the PC route as my guitar room is upstairs and my office with is downstairs! Neither room being big enough to perform both functions.