No more multitrack recorders from Fostex and Korg?

[64Guitars]

I just had a look at the Fostex website and noticed that they're no longer offering any multitrack recorders. The MR-8 and all of their other past multitrackers are now listed under "Archive Products".

http://www.fostexinternational.com/


I also went to the Korg site and found that the page I had bookmarked for their multitrack recorders is now empty except for a picture of the Sound-on-Sound recorder, but there's no information on the SoS or anything else.

http://www.korg.com/MultiTrack_Recorders


So it would seem that Boss, TASCAM and Zoom are the only companies still making multitrack recorders for the home market.

Current models from these three companies are:

Boss

• BR-80 (announced April 2011)
• BR-800 (announced March 2010)
• BR-1200CD (announced Jan 2005)
• BR-1600CD (announced Dec 2003)

Some Roland/Boss sites still show the BR-900CD but I think they're just leaving it up till they sell all their old stock. I'm pretty sure they're not making it anymore. Roland Japan lists only the BR-80 and BR-800, so I think even the BR-1200 and BR-1600 may be discontinued.

  TASCAM

• DP-004 (announced Jan 2009)
• DP-008 (announced October 2009)
• DP-03 (announced Jan 2011)
• 2488neo (announced Sept 2008)
• DP-24 (announced Jan 2012)
• DP-32 (announced Oct 2012)

  Zoom

• R8 (announced April 2011)
• R16 (announced June 2009)
• R24 (announced June 2010)

[alfstone]

I see also that the price of the BR-800 is going rather down, both in Italy and in the UK...

Any rumours about a new Boss recorder (after all this is already the 3rd year for the BR-800), or does it mean that the multitrack recorders have actually a low market, and even lower in the future?

Alfredo

[64Guitars]

I've not heard anything about a new recorder, but Roland is announcing some new products on January 21st.

https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=17201.0

I doubt that they'll replace the BR-800 anytime soon, but they might introduce a new high-end model to replace the BR-1600 and BR-1200, neither of which are included on the Roland Japan website anymore (suggesting they might be discontinued).

The market for standalone multitrack recorders might be getting smaller as more and more people are turning to software DAWs. But I think those people who only use software for recording are missing out. I firmly believe that standalone multitrack recorders are the best way to record your tracks. Once your tracks are recorded, then a software DAW is the best way to edit and mix your tracks (preferably, with a control surface to give you real faders and controls). Recording your tracks is the most creative part of the overall recording process. That's when you need to concentrate on your musical instrument and/or your vocals. Messing around with computers at this stage gets in the way of your creativity, so a multitrack recorder like the BRs, Zooms and TASCAMs is more practical. But once the tracks are recorded, you can put the instruments and microphones aside, grab a coffee, and sit at your computer to concentrate on the more technical part of the recording process; the editing, mixing and mastering. A large computer monitor, a good set of headphones or studio monitors, and a full-featured DAW can make this part of the recording process a joy.

I finished watching the Ultimate Home Recording School 3-DVD set by ProAudioDVDs yesterday and was pleased to learn that David Wills advocates the same philosophy. He likes the Zoom R16 for recording his tracks and Propellerhead Reason for editing, mixing, and mastering. David has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business, including Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston, so he really knows what he's talking about.

I don't think that the market for standalone multitrack recorders will fade away anytime soon. But I think that hybrid solutions (recorder/control surface/DAW) like the BR-800, BR-80, and the Zooms will become more common. As users gradually discover the benefits of editing, mixing and mastering on the computer, features related to those processes might be dropped from some future recorders. Roland tried that with the BR-800 and it didn't go over well with users. But I think it just wasn't the right time for it. Users need time to get used to the idea of mixing on the computer. Until then, they're not ready to give up those features on the recorder. But I think there will come a time when most people are using their computer for editing, mixing, and mastering, and few will care about having those capabilities in their recorder. When that happens, manufacturers will probably stop including a lot of editing/mixing/mastering capabilities in their recorders. They'll concentrate on features for recording your tracks and interfacing with the computer (control surface, etc.) instead.

[alfstone]

Thanks, 64.

A new route could be the one of iOS apps...if a "great" such as Steinberg realeases a Cubasis for iPad:

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/ios_apps/cubasis.html

this probably means something. And of course I have to remember the great Auria:

http://auriaapp.com/Products/auria

...and even more important, the Audiobus:

http://audiob.us/

...that allows various apps to communicate (e.g. connecting a guitar to the iPad, using Amplitube for effects and recording in an iPad compatible multitrack recorder, and the number of compatible apps is growing daily!)

This "new route" has two plus, IMHO: using these apps is really simple, nothing to do with the complicated computer DAWs; and the price, never going over 40-50 $, even for the most expensive apps.
The  "minus" are instead the link to a O.S. only (iOS and iPad, rather expensive "per se"); and the low memory (both RAM and physical) available; OK only for small projects, and having care to close every other app on the iPad.

Alfredo

[Greeny]

But I think those people who only use software for recording are missing out. I firmly believe that standalone multitrack recorders are the best way to record your tracks

Totally agree.

I'll never want to record songs via a computer or DAW interface alone. It just doesn't feel right somehow (to me, at least).

I guess kids that grow up with iPads and Garageband etc won't know the difference though.

[Oldrottenhead]

that's sad about fostex my first multitracker was a fostex x30 multitracker. it gave me the basics on how to build and record songs. when i had my first daw i used it as the interface to my pc and when i got my microbr, i found that easy to use probably from my experience of using the x30.


i think i paid nearly £600 circa 1990.

[Blooby]

I sold a Volkswagen Beetle and bought one of these.  I regret selling it as it would make an obscure conversation piece.

Blooby

[Oldrottenhead]

wow that looks ace blooby.

[cuthbert]

that's sad about fostex my first multitracker was a fostex x30 multitracker. it gave me the basics on how to build and record songs.

This was also my first multitracker! I can't remember how much I paid for it, but I think it was around $500 USD, and it came with a bonus Fostex dynamic microphone.

I learned a lot from this machine, and it definitely eased the learning curve for everything related to recording that came later for me. In fact, I sold mine to Wendall Gee a few years later in order to get a Tascam 464:



Which was also 4 tracks, but had a sweepable mid-EQ, dbx noise reduction, XLR inputs, and settable in/out points (as well as a little LCD display for counting time and showing memory points). I didn't use nor love this one quite as much as the old (and simple, and more portable) Fostex multitracker, but I still have it in a box up in me attic.

[64Guitars]

My first multitrack recorder was the Fostex X15 which I've still got. I should record something on it for 70sFest.



Before that, I used to overdub by bouncing back and forth between my Sony reel-to-reel and my Pioneer stereo cassette. It didn't take long for the hiss to build up and there was no post-mixing; I just mixed the levels as I recorded each part live in the bedroom.