Any advice on whether to go with BR80 or BR800 ?

[64Guitars]

lots of very useful information in there. One thing that strikes me, is that if there is no real consensus amongst you guys, then there isn't an obvious right/wrong choice - you pays your money and makes your choice.

They're both great recorders. There's no clear winner. Each of us attaches a different importance to the various features based on our own needs and ways of working. So only you can decide which recorder is best for your own needs and your own way of working. Look at the differences between the two recorders that have been discussed in this topic and decide how important they are to you.

Can both the BR80 + 800 handle two guitars + mic at the same time for recording onto individual tracks ?

No. Only the BR-800 can record simultaneously from the guitar and mic to separate tracks. See my message at the top of this page.

Can the BR80 simulate a bass from guitar input (I've seen demos of the BR800 doing it, but can't remember seeing one of the BR80).

Yes, both the BR-80 and the BR-800 can simulate a bass using a regular 6-string electric guitar and the GUITAR TO BASS effect.

Is there really much difference between audio quality of COSM on each (GT10 vs GT100 derived) ? It's difficult for me to tell difference from various tracks and samples - from this laptop - way too tinny.

I doubt if the audio quality is noticeably different. But there may be differences in the parameters available for some effects which, of course, would affect the sound. And, as I said before, the BR-800 has a few more effects available than the BR-80 (sitar simulator, wah, ring modulator, guitar simulator, slow gear, etc. are only available in the BR-800). I believe that all of the effects available in the BR-80 are also available in the BR-800, so the BR-80 has no advantage in the effects that are available, whereas the BR-800 definitely does have an advantage.

[64Guitars]

Can anyone recommend a footswitch compatible with BR80 or BR800.

It's just a simple non-latching (sometimes called momentary), normally open, on/off switch, so anything will do. This is as good as any:

http://www.dawsons.co.uk/essentials-non-latching-footswitch

But you can probably find a cheaper one if you look around, or even make one yourself.

Do the units come with power supplies ?

No. The Boss PSA series power adapter is sold separately, but it's not expensive.

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/pedals_power_detail.asp?stock=07103016183828

Be sure to get the Boss PSA adapter. You might save a quid or two by buying a different brand but it isn't worth the risk, as your BR can be severely damaged by plugging in the wrong adapter. If you think it's worth risking, be sure to get one that matches the specs of the PSA series. A few people have made the mistake of buying an unregulated power adapter and ended up frying their BR. You must use only a regulated power adapter with the BR. See the following:

https://songcrafters.org/64guitars/BR/FAQ.html#power

Is a SD card included in the box ?

Yes, they both include an SD card. The size might vary depending on availability or special offers but I think it was originally a 1GB card in both. It may be bigger now because 1GB cards are a bit rare.

[cuthbert]

^All good info.

The BR80 comes with a 2GB card...not sure about the BR800.

[IanR]

Do the units come with power supplies ?

No. The Boss PSA series power adapter is sold separately, but it's not expensive.

The BR800 DOES come with a power supply included.

If you have to choose between the two units, I would choose the BR800 because of the track volume sliders (or whatever they are called) which make mixing and recording much, much easier and faster.

Ian

[64Guitars]

The BR800 DOES come with a power supply included.

Oops! You're right. I misread the BR-800 specifications. It lists the AC Adaptor under Accessories along with the SD card and Owner's Manual, so it's definitely included. But the BR-80 specs list the PSA adaptor under "Options (sold separately)".

Thanks for the correction.

[Hook]

Alright I think I'm sold on the 800, now I just need an extra $400. Funny, there is a guy local here on craigslist selling a br1600 for $400 bucks also...I guess I need an extra $800 !!! I should just be content with what I have but I never am. I really miss being able to plug in my guitar/uke and also get a live mic recording. I could with my Tascam DP004/zoom ps02 set up, but the 004 is way to limited & upgrading to the br80 just doesn't seem worth it. I do like the eight separate tracks though, even on my 900 I had 6 mono tracks & 7/8 stereo. I tend to think a bit like Geir and always felt I had a 7 track, I do however understand your reasoning 64.

I would still like to know if I can add chorus & reverb to each individual track like I could on the 900?
I'm also a bit concerned with doing vocals with the 800 in my car. I usually hold the mbr like a microphone when I'm just singing and that doesn't seem feasible with the 800, are the mics alot better than the mbr?? I could always use the mbr or the ps02 as a mic I guess. 

Ideally I would like a 1600 for my  home set up and I guess the 800 for my portable studio. I also really needwant an electric drumset...I guess I need and extra $1200      

[64Guitars]

I would still like to know if I can add chorus & reverb to each individual track like I could on the 900?

Yes. What you're talking about is the Loop Effects. The BR-800 has them, but with one minor difference. The BR-900 has Reverb and Chorus/Delay/Doubling while the BR-800 has Reverb and Chorus/Delay. Doubling isn't available as a loop effect on the BR-800, but it is available as an insert effect. The BR-900 has doubling as both an insert effect and a loop effect. I'm not sure how useful it would be as a loop effect anyway, so it's no great loss that the BR-800 doesn't have it.

I'm also a bit concerned with doing vocals with the 800 in my car. I usually hold the mbr like a microphone when I'm just singing and that doesn't seem feasible with the 800, are the mics alot better than the mbr?? I could always use the mbr or the ps02 as a mic I guess.

Yeah, that's one benefit of the BR-80's small size. Vocalists can hold it like a microphone. If I were you, I'd use a separate microphone that you can hold in your hand and just leave the BR-800 on the passenger seat or wherever. It's nice that the BR-80 and BR-800 have stereo mics built-in, but I think it's a waste of a track to record an individual singer in stereo since both mics will "hear" almost exactly the same thing. So you're just recording the same thing to two tracks. But if you use a separate (mono) mic, you can record to just a single track. Unless you're using stereo effects, of course. Then you should record to a pair of tracks.

[wyvernwood]

Many thanks for all your advice guys.

I've decided to go with the BR800 - not least because it is a bigger unit with what looks like a slightly easier interface to navigate (I mean a bigger surface). Placing my order in the next few minutes.

Thanks for taking all the time to respond to all my questions - it's really appreciated.
Martin

[Geir]

Many thanks for all your advice guys.

I've decided to go with the BR800 - not least because it is a bigger unit with what looks like a slightly easier interface to navigate (I mean a bigger surface). Placing my order in the next few minutes.

Thanks for taking all the time to respond to all my questions - it's really appreciated.
Martin

I'm sure you'll be happy with that decision!

Be sure to come back and post your music when you've started recording on your new toy

[wyvernwood]

Thanks Geir,

I'm sure I'll be back for help using the darn thing first