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Location: Midland, MI | OK, I've determined that my earlier question about a digidelay won't get me what I want. So, now I'm going down the digital multitrack route. I have it narrowed down to the Korg PXR-4, Tascam Portastudio 5 and maybe the Fostex MR-8.
It'd be nice to just dial up some backing tracks (drums, bass), laydown some chord changes, then practice solos.
Anyone using one of these? Suggest something better? |
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Location: Zion, Illinois | I'm using a Zoom MSR802. It has a drum machine built in. Other Zoom models also have a bass machine. Any one of the machines you mentioned should work althought I've heard the Fostex MR-8 is limited due to the small memory. I don't know about the Tascam or Korg. My Zoom uses a built in 20 meg drive. You could get one for about $450-$500 without a CD-Rom, then buy a Lite-on drive for $20.
Have you considered just using your computer? There are free multi-track programs out there like Audacity you could use. N-track is also good. You can try it for free, if you want to buy it, it cost under $100 (I think it might be as cheap as $40, don't quote me though ;) ) |
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Location: Midland, MI | Bradley-
Thanks for the input, I hadn't considered the MSR-802. Now I have something else to research at work tomorrow. :)
I have Sonar 2.2 XL and 3 Pro (waiting on 4 Pro until the first patch), with an Echo Layla and a Guitarport as well, so I could multitrack into the PC (laptop in this case). What I want to avoid is having to fire up all that gear just to practice scales and chord changes. The little digital multitrackers looked good for the job. |
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Location: Zion, Illinois | Another one to look at is the Zoom PS04. Here is an E-Bay link.
Zoom PS04
It might do the trick. |
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Location: Toronto, Canada | I use the Korg PXR4. Nice little unit. The one thing that keeps it from getting a 10 in my book is their choice of the Smartmedia card for storage instead of a CF card (cheaper, more common). However, it is still very nice for the money.
The Tascam Portstudio 5 is also good value, especially now that its price has dropped to the level of the PXR4.
The Fostex MR-8 is very tempting because of its price (8 tracks for around the same price), but it does not have the built-in drum rhythm section.
Neither the PXR4 nor the Fostex MR8 has the built in drum and bass backing tracks. If that is what you require, of your three choices the Tascam can play midi backing tracks, or you may want to go another route and consider something like the PX4, which does have the built-in drums and bass etc, but with no 4 track recording.
wemedge |
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Location: Midland, MI | Media type doesn't particularly bother me, as I have way too many SD, SmartMedia and MemoryStick cards in various sizes laying about. Of course, if I need CF, then I might care, as I don't have any of those. :)
I'd really like the backing tracks, although I suppose with the PXR4, I could always lay down backing tracks in Sonar and then put them on the unit. But, that kind of obviates the goal of not having to use the PC. I think it's down to the PXR4, PocketStudio5 and PS-04 (as much as I'm not a fan of Zoom), but I need to do the comparison when I'm less tired.
I do appreciate the input, though. |
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Location: NJ | i have the korg d 1600 |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by alpep:
i have the korg d 1600
Yes, and...?
:p
Is that the MKII or the original model? Backing tacks/Drum machine/MIDI? Easy to use? Size?
I was just off looking at the Boss BR-864, which is considerably larger than the others I've mentioned. I think I've looked at so many things now that I'm just totally confused. Sheesh. |
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Location: So. Cal. | You may want to share with us your budget as well. There are many good products out there with a wide range of prices. I have the Zoom PS-02, Korg PXR4, Boss BR8. The Boss JamStation is also very cool, turn it on - select a style and just solo 'til you drop. You can put down your own song, or not. Some gives you more programming ability (more work, more time), some works great with presets (less work, less time). Eventually price is very important too! |
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Location: Midland, MI | Playadamas-
Now, if I share my budget with you guys, there will be less budget for me, so that's a no-go! :)
Just kidding...I'd like to go no more than $500, not averse to buying good/used. The PXR4 attracted me, at first, due to small size/cost. But, once I get going on something... |
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Location: So. Cal. | cruster,
Take a look at the Boss JamStation JS-5 then. It's under $300. I like mine a lot. |
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Location: Toronto | Since you're looking at things anyway... Take a peek at Roland's Discover 5m... It's the closest thing they now have from the old MT200 Digital Sequencer. You can do all the things you've mentioned, plus you can run midi through, translate the midi and jam, record, create to your hearts content!!
Dano |
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Location: NJ | the d 1600 i have is the original one. I got it because it was way easier to use than the roland IMHO.
Most of the stuff on it I never used. there are no drum tracks or backing tracks this is just a digital recorder. You record on a hard drive and then burn to a CD. It also has midi and phantom power for mics.
The mk II has a few additional features but not too many more. |
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Location: Midland, MI | The Jamstation and Discover 5m both look very interesting, but I can't seem to find out if they're current or discontinued models. Not that it matters a whole lot if they accomplish the tasks at hand.
That being said, I've been very busy (ha) this morning, doing comparisons of the smaller units (PXR4, PS5, PS04, etc.).
I think I've elminated the Korg and Zoom, as they don't have a TG, so the backing tracks would have to be audio, and take up at least one track. Which means I'd have to layout my backing stuff on the PC and xfer it over.
The PocketStudio5 does have a TG and can read SMF, but it doesn't have virtual tracks, so each take will have to wipe out the one before.
The MR8 (I like the model designation...reminds me of a certain Toyota ) is 8 tracks, full MIDI implementation, but again, no virtual tracks. Not such a big deal, as there are 8 tracks instead of just 4, but still. Light on the effects, too. And space.
The older Boss Br-532 has drum patterns and a bass simulator, so I could have backing, but no virtual tracks, no MIDI and the audio isn't exportable (have to record it out).
Now, the replacement for the BR-532, the BR-864 looks interesting, but it's $100 more than the others and quite a bit bigger. Has 8 tracks, virtual tracks, tons of effects, but I think it still won't export as mp3 or whatever.
So...I dunno. I still have some manuals (pdf) to read through... |
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| Cruster, I've been looking at one of those items myself. Having the drum and bass lines sounds like a great feature. The Zoom ps-04 is only $199. That's 1-2 hundred less than the other items with the drum and bass. As a starter toy for digital recording a 4 track sounds fine for me to see if I'll really use it. The only thing I question is ease of operation transferring music to the home computer on the ps-04. What exactly eliminated the Zoom for you? I believe my wife will be buying one of these models for an Xmas present. |
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Location: Germantown, MD | I like my PXR-4. It does offer built in rhythms, and it would be possible to lay down backup parts, transfer them to computer, and then pull them back to the PXR-4 when you need them.
My only complaint is that the display is sometimes hard to read and the device has to lie on its back, with the display facing straight up. (I've gotten around this, to some extent, by clamping it to a music stand.)
Peace,
John |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Englishplayer:
What exactly eliminated the Zoom for you? I believe my wife will be buying one of these models for an Xmas present.
Well, the Zoom is...a Zoom. My opinion of their products isn't terribly well informed, but the general consensus I've seen is that they're not the most reliable, long lived implement. If someone has an alternate take on their quality, I'd be happy to hear it!
In reality, I'm not going to use whatever I get for recording, really. More for jamming along/practicing. If I'm going to record seriously, I'd just fire up Sonar and all the attendant pieces. What I want is something with less 'overhead.' |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I used to be a skeptic of Zoom products, but I love my MRS-1266 digital recorder. I've written about it in more detail in a couple threads if you want to search, or just search the web. Now it has been replaced with a 16 track version ($1200). Has the drums, bass, and tons of features.
I'm impressed for the price.
Johnny |
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Location: Midland, MI | The MRS-1266 looks interesting, but I don't know what I really want. I had to go out to our Disaster Recover (DR) site today, and stopped at the nearby Guitarget to check things out. The PXR4 is way small, which is cool, but...I wonder how stable it is with a cord jacked into it. The only other models from my list were the BR-864 and PocketStudio 5.
Oh well, I think I'll go play the Project Viper while I continue to think about it. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | There's a MRS-1266 on ebay, like new, from a music store with a BIN of $499. They have great feedback. Just FYI. |
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Location: Midland, MI | I saw that one before I posted earlier. Tempting. But, I have decided on the PortaStudio 5. Thanks to all for the suggestions and help! |
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OT: Digital multitrack
