#1682144 - 06/17/05 03:34 PM
All in one recording units?
|
UnderTheGroove_dup2
Senior Member
Registered: 01/25/02
Posts: 194
Loc: Los Angeles
|
Offline
|
|
My father in law is interested in getting an all in one unit for recording. Since I haven't looked at these since the 4-track days of the 80's I thought I would get some input from others. Features that he wants/need:
- 4 mic pres
- Ability to reord 8 tracks at a time
- CD burner
- Most importantly: easy to use! He's a bit of a techno-phobe.
He is willing to pay whatever it takes (within reason) to get these features. Does anyone have experience with any of these units?
_________________________
Year End Sale: Save 20% on Jam Tracks or Exotica. Save 30% when you buy both. Sale ends December 31. http://www.UnderTheGroove.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1682145 - 06/17/05 03:53 PM
Re: All in one recording units?
|
Philip O'Keefe
10k Club
Registered: 12/17/00
Posts: 17674
Loc: Riverside,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
I used to use two of the Yamaha AW4416 units, and they definitely fit the criteria you specified. Other possibilities would include some of the Akai, Korg and Roland all in one units... but I personally prefer the Yamahas.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1682146 - 06/17/05 09:50 PM
Re: All in one recording units?
|
UnderTheGroove_dup2
Senior Member
Registered: 01/25/02
Posts: 194
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
Offline
|
|
Thanks for the advice Phil. Can I ask what it is that makes you prefer the Yamahas? Is the 4416 still in production? (He's not going to want to deal with anything used) Any idea how it would compare to the AW16G?
_________________________
Year End Sale: Save 20% on Jam Tracks or Exotica. Save 30% when you buy both. Sale ends December 31. http://www.UnderTheGroove.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1682147 - 06/18/05 09:32 AM
Re: All in one recording units?
|
umkcprof
Senior Member
Registered: 09/05/04
Posts: 158
Loc: Kansas City
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hi Under. . .
Let me second Phil's recommendation for the AW4416. In fact, I bought one of Phil's units!
The system is not "easy" to use at first (I am a real electronic know-nothing, but I eventually, with a few tips from Phil and Lee Flier and others figured it out), but once you get the hang of it, it is pretty intuitive. The darn things do have an incredibly flexible software program and they do sound very, very good. I am now using the two-AW4416-linked system that our mentor Phil invented (and it works very well, indeed). I have upgraded the I/O and effects with auxiliary units (Grace, Lucid, Waves), but even the normal AW preamps, converters, and effects sound very good. I did the upgrades as much for "just because I could" as for anything else.
As far as used or new, there are a lot of GREAT AWs on the market (ebay) used for about $1200 or even less. Since a lot of people bought them and didn't take the time to figure them out, they are hard to tell from new. I think that you might still be able to find new units around someplace, but used is definitely the way to go. Why throw good money away?
The AW16G is a MUCH smaller and less complicated unit, but it sounds very good, as well, although it is not what one would consider "professional" in any meaningful sense. But it is a very nice all-in-one unit. On the other hand, it sells new for not much less than barely used AW4416 units.
Your papa-in-law would love the 4416 once he figures it out. I suspect that it would be just the unit for his project.
Sincerely,
Stephen Pruitt
_________________________
I am truly grateful for the wonderful information that everyone on the musicplayer site graciously bestows to me without thought of reward. You are all a credit to the worldwide web.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1682148 - 06/18/05 10:34 AM
Re: All in one recording units?
|
UnderTheGroove_dup2
Senior Member
Registered: 01/25/02
Posts: 194
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
Offline
|
|
Originally posted by umkcprof:
Hi Under. . .
The system is not "easy" to use at first
Since a lot of people bought them and didn't take the time to figure them out, they are hard to tell from new.
The AW16G is a MUCH smaller and less complicated unit, but it sounds very good, as well, although it is not what one would consider "professional" in any meaningful sense. But it is a very nice all-in-one unit.
Stephen Pruitt 
_________________________
Year End Sale: Save 20% on Jam Tracks or Exotica. Save 30% when you buy both. Sale ends December 31. http://www.UnderTheGroove.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1682149 - 07/04/05 03:18 PM
Re: All in one recording units?
|
Zand
Member
Registered: 07/04/05
Posts: 5
Loc: The Netherlands
|
|
Offline
|
|
I'm a happy 4416 user as well. It's still the best choice sonically I think. But like the poster before, for a technophobe I would recommend the AW16.
By the way there are two new Yamaha recorders coming (later this year??): the AW1600 and AW2400.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1682151 - 07/05/05 01:28 AM
Re: All in one recording units?
|
Zand
Member
Registered: 07/04/05
Posts: 5
Loc: The Netherlands
|
|
Offline
|
|
We've been discussing the specs of the AW2400 extensively on the yahoo AW2400 group.While there are interesting new features such as those Phil mentioned, it does seem that @ 24bit, it's really only a 12 track machine.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1682152 - 07/05/05 08:51 AM
Re: All in one recording units?
|
Alndln
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/15/00
Posts: 6451
Loc: ,NY,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
The Roland units are pretty nice too,especially the newer ones with the mouse/screen options and the new cards for plugins like the UAD/Massenburg/TC stuff which are pretty nice options for future expandability.Although I use a PC these days,my old VS-840EX still is like a new unit as far as lasting quality,I haven't seen anything resembling a shootout/comparison review concerning all the newer availible brands/models,but both Yamaha and Roland make solid gear.
_________________________
"A Robot Playing Trumpet Blows"
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
