Final word on Digital Recorders: which for me?

I don't know anyone like me who eats Wendy's and Taco Bell lots. Most people make decent food or even eat out at an Olive Garden. I can't remember the last time I ate in a restauraunt. Oh, now I can. About 4 years ago when I lived in upstate New York. Chinese food it was....

Yeah, I'm pretty cautious with my money, and like to get the most bang for my buck (I play a fender standard and own a Zoom PS-04, 'nuff said?). If I was getting a Fostex MR8, which I think is a great recorder, I would consider that the 128MB card will give you something like 6 minutes of 4-track recording or 3 min. of 8-track. This is just the lower limit of usability.
A 512MB card will add 24 minutes of 4-track and 12 of 8-track, or the same as we've had with 4-track cassette recorders all these years. But, a 512MB card will cost you about $80.
So consider the differences as between a (realistically) $400 flash card recorder and a $600-700 hard disk recorder. Then, you can compare the advantages and disadvantages of the different models but at a more "real world" price. Though the Boss and MR8 are, arguably, the better devices until you hit $1000. When cards cost $10 there won't be any question.
I just know that we used to go through an awful lot of cassettes in a night, even with a 30 minute limit.

What are you getting rid of Dennis?

Maybe we can work out a trade for my Fostex MR-8.

I really only use my PC for recording anymore.

Can i have it? I have a really keen pencil sharpener just sitting around doing nothing. How bout a trade?

:P

Yeah, the PC is a great tool for recording, but I just can't get into sitting in front of it while I work out a riff or a rhythm on the guitar. It's great for mixing... sure beats fiddling with little knobs and sliders, but I love the stand alone workstation for grabbing the tracks. That's one great thing about the Zoom PS-04, it practically fits in your pocket, you can record a track or two anywhere you can find a quiet spot in your house or yard, then dump it to the computer to do the actual mixing.
Of course there are three of us living in what amounts to 3 rooms (if you don't count the WC) and the computer is in the middle of the kitchen/living/dining room.
It does sound like Dennis needs an amp more than a recorder, though. Unless he wants to become a one man band.

Hey Rob, I don't want to be a one-man-band. I find playing alone pretty boring actually. If I play alone I play against a CD. I almost never play just solo with nothing in the background. It's too weird As such, I have great respect for those who play solo in coffee shops, bars, or wherever. It's tough. Besides, I like company (especially when a bassist or drummer is present. That's the best!)

I just got the Boss 864 and I am new to recording. I did buy a Tascam Portastudio 5 earlier in the year which I used for two weeks and then plugged it inot a 220v supply instead of the 110v and it fried. Tascam refused to repair it on warranty (don't blame them) and said it would cost more to repair than buying a new one..

The Boss is much better than the Tascam, though I repeat I am a beginner at this. The amp simulations are better and so are the voise effects. The rhythm options are very good and you even have the ability to play the drums yourself using the buttons (Phil Collins would shudder).

I recorded a song from a CD onto two tracks, then play guitar on another, sing on another and keep adding stuff until I can reduce the CD volume so it nearly disappears...

You can also remove the center sound from the CD which cuts out the singing and lead guitar usually - so you have a professional backing track with which to practice.

There is a slow-down feature which is perhaps the worst feature of the unit - do not buy it for this!!

So far (first week of onwership) I am very pleased with this and it was the recommendation in this forum that led me to this unit.

My Boss Br1180cd is badass....

Kido