Guys,
What do you think about PXR4 from Korg?

I can spend no more than 300ish bucks.

Basically just want an economy digital recorder I can record my voice and stereo tracks from my Triton Studio and download the file as either Mp3 or .Wav via USB to my computer to share with friends.

Any advise is welcome.
KN_Fan

If you want to record stereo, one-take, check out the Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox.
It's inexpensive and works great.
DonM

Hi Don,

I still want some flexibility in recording.

My co-worker who's into this kind of stuff told me to just get a good software and do it through my computer.

I'm also thinking Zoom MSR4.

Listen to your co-worker. Your computer will do an excellent job, you really don't need to spend lots of money and there is a lot of great software available. If you're thinking about doing multi-track, you can pick up a copy of Cakewalk's Music Creator for about $30 at Best Buy. It does both midi and WAV recordings and it's user friendly. Why spend $300 or more bucks on something that this time next year will be drawing dust in the corner of your office? Just my humble opinion!

Cheers,

Gary

PowerTracksPro is good also, and quite inexpensive.
I thought you wanted portability.
DonM

It really depends on what you want to do.. Of course a computer is going to give you more options, but if you want something external and not computer based, the MRS-4 is pretty good.. I have one and use it often, but if you can spend $300 there's also the Fostex MR-8...

Squeak

Hey DonM

I have a Nomad, but what do you use as a microphone? My JB3 only has a OPtical/Line in jack?

Al

Use the line in jack, which is probably stereo, and lay down the tracks from your keyboard. Then you can come back and lay down the vocal track(s). Nothing to it!

Cheers,

Gary

I would suggest sticking with a digital recorder vs. computer imo . Plug and play is better than install and learn .

Dano



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Here's my take on the matter:

I'm pretty PC literate and I bought a second 7200rpm hard drive for our home PC, bought GigaSampler and Cakewalk, and who knows how many audio cards. How much recording did I get down in the last year? None. I was always messing with this or that and it ended up being a big time-sink and money pit. I was frustrated.

After considerable research I bought a Yamaha AW16G Digital Audio Workstation for $1000 new. I plugged my arranger into two stereo ports, my Millenium digital accordion into two stereo ports, read the Yamaha Recording 101 QuickStart guide, and recorded my first song in the first hour with the AW16G. I burned it onto a CD with the built-in burner, ripped it to an MP3 on my PC and posted it on the Internet all in the same day!

Since then I have probably recorded 50 songs and played a lot with the built-in samples, libraries, tons of mix-down effects, etc. It has been the best money I have ever invested. There is an online community at www.aw16g.com that has a FAQ list with every single question I could ever imagine on it. What a resource!

So for $1000 I have 16 inputs, both XLR and 1/4", mastering effects, 100+ virtual tracks, and a built-in CD burner! I can't imagine ever going back to trying to get that damn PC working again.

My advice is to save up another $600 and buy the Yamaha. I looked at Zoom and Fostex but neither of them did anything to me. I even thought about the Creative Nomad. I'm glad I didn't buy it because it turns out I needed the extra inputs for the Millenium, not too mention the four-band EQ on each channel I am so fond of now.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure there will be posts from people here who got everything to work on their PC the first time and made great recordings for $100. I just wasn't one of them.

Tommy

Ditto for me...

only with the Korg D1600. I picked mine up in a GC Memorial Day sale - fully refurbished with latest OS, 40 GB HD and 20x10x20 CDRW unit - for $600 (regularly $1399). WHAT A DEAL !!
LOVE IT !! It's portable, has full 16 tracks, all the built in effects, click track, built in rythym generator, 8 trk simultaneous record (nice feature), wave file export/import, CD burning, S/PDIF in/out, FOUR Lo-Z inputs ALL with switchable phantom power. And clean. WOW !! I would have paid full price.

There's also a user support site too http://www.korgstudios.com/forum/default.asp

I think the thing to remember in all of this is that one tends to get what one pays for.
Regards,
Steve

[This message has been edited by S0C9 (edited 09-09-2003).]

Yeah- I really hate messing around with program this program that. I was frustrated with my Triton studio first time I got it, luckily now it's not as intimidating as before.

So I guess my objective would be (not necessarily in this order):

1. Price (can't be more than 300ish bux)
2. User Friendly
3. Ability to transfer from digital to my computer (via USB or something else without purchasing additional device costing me more money)
4. Virtual tracks is okay- I guess I want an option also to copy and paste various parts of virtual tracks and copy it to a final track (but this is not too important. I guess I can just learn to punchin/punch out and be okay).
5. I can use the effects for my vocal through my Triton. So basically I'll put my microphone through the Triton's mic input, use effects from the keyboard.
6. I think PXR4 only has one input that means the recording would be in mono. I don't know how important this is.

Squeak- I saw your review in music123 too
I'm interested to know more but also interested in hearing what others would say about other options (unbiased opinion I guess).

Can't spend 1000 bucks for a higher end stuff as this is purely for my hobby only (but I justified the $2800 purchase for the Studio..go figure )

KN_Fan

Hi KN Fan ,

send me an email . I may have something you will like . Dano

Hi there KN_Fan

I'm utilizing twin D8's, works for me.
Extremely friendly, extremely portable, extremely clean ....If you want a definition of unfriendly.......and I know it's gonna raise the ire from some forum folks, see any Roland VS manual. Just my thots. Do what YOU want....not what others tell you is best.
Last but not least...Have Fun Doin' it!!

[This message has been edited by Leon (edited 09-10-2003).]

Thanks guys for your replies.

Just a slight change. I'm going to try the computer route just for the heck of it, download a free demo, or get an inxpensive 40 bucks software for now, I think it's worth to try.