Boss/Tascam multi-track versus Pro Tools/Computer recording

[bizarroderrick]

Hi, I'm new here, and have a newbie question.
I have a Boss BR1180 (8 tracks, two inputs) and have unlimited access to a Korg D1600 (16 tracks, 8 inputs). The korg is capable of 24 bit recording, I don't think the Boss is.
Are either of these machine capable of "broadcast quality" if used with the mics I have (SM57s, SM81, Beta 52 - decent but not top of the line mics) or should I look into investing in a computer set-up with Pro Tools or some other program? I'm a lot more comfortable with the stand alone units, and when I tried using Cubase a few years ago I had problems with latency which immediately turned me off, but if I'm only going to get really good demos out of the gear that I have, I'll make the switch.
I guess my question is also, does anyone else here use a workstation like the ones I have or does just about everyone use a Mac and Pro Tools, or something similar?

[billg1]

I'm an advocate of recording to a dedicated multitrack unit if it feels more natural and creative for you, and then dumping the tracks into a DAW for mixing. And yes the quality can be as good as any other method. I feel much more creative recording this way & have received network placements.

You'll learn that mics, outboard gear, room treatment, great sounding instruments/amps, good monitors, and your arrangement and mixing skills will have a MUCH bigger impact on quality than what you record "to" or which DAW you use. There are a lot of well known producers that still track to a Radar system and then throw the tracks into Protools (mainly because of the awesome a/d converters) but also because of ease of use.

Many argue that converters might not make a huge difference until you move into the very expensive realm. but If you want to use multitrack hardware units such as the ones you've mentioned you will want to bypass the preamps.

My advice would be to use whatever multitrack you're comfortable with. download Reaper for your DAW mixing ($60), and spend whatever available funds you may have for room treatment, mic(s), mic-pre, good monitors, plugins, etc.

It doesn't matter if you're using a dedicated multitrack, a laptop, or 2" tape . . . If you're actually playing live instruments and recording vocals it's really gonna come down to what's going TO the recording medium, not the medium itself.

[bizarroderrick]

That's great advice, thank you. I definitely feel like I'm more at ease with the multi-track unit, having grown up with Tascam and Yamaha porta-studios cassette recorders. That definitely answers my question.

[jonathanm]

Absolutely. Use what you know and are comfortable with. Learn as much as you can about compressors and EQ. Enjoy the ride.

[mojobone]

What BillG said, and yes, both those machines are way capable of broadcast quality; a cassette four-track will do, if you take good care of your signals, going in.

[shanegrla]

All excellent advice.

I will just add this. 10 years ago I was on an ADAT (8-track digital, which took what is basically a super high quality VHS tape - and you needed a separate mixing board to use it). I loved it, because it was what I was used to.

After a couple years, I was talked into getting something similar to what you've got now (a Roland VS1880 18-track). I was resistant at first because it seemed like a very different way of doing things. But after a few minutes with it, i thought "What the hell was I thinking not doing this before?" And so I loved that machine for awhile.

And then just a couple years ago, I was talked into getting ProTools. And after just a few minutes with it, I thought "What the hell was I thinking not doing this before?"

My point is, you may very well be comfortable with a certain platform/process simply because you're used to it. But then, when you discover the many advantages of another platform, you may find you can get used to that process real quick.

Or not.

Your mileage may vary. But, if you're worried about latency, there are plenty of computer-based DAWs that should be able to record just fine without any. ProTools is working well for me. I've got many plugins, several of them 3rd party, and not one of them as of yet produces any latency on my system.

[billg1]

One thing worth adding here is that a lot could depend on the type of music you're doing & what you're recording. For me, recording a bass, guitars, and old piano, harmonica, etc. it just feels right to record to outboard gear "old school" and the dump it into a computer for mixing, effects, etc. Of course if your content is mostly digital to begin with (loops and virtual instruments) that wouldn't make much sense!

It's almost certain that in order to get the most from your tracks you'll have to dump into a DAW to mix etc., it's the only practical way unless you have a LOT of money for some pretty expensive outboard gear. And even then it wouldn't do you any good if you didn't know how to use it.

[fret17]

Also wanted to chime in with a reminder to read all the great related articles Taxi provides for us...I think this relates to your question...best of luck!
http://www.taxi.com/music-business-faq/ ... ording/#q1
http://www.taxi.com/music-business-faq/ ... ality.html