BR1600 Still a good investment?

Started by Geir, September 25, 2014, 05:38:44 AM

SteveB

There have also been a few complaints on the Tascam Forum about the memory card not being up to the task when mixing-down etc on the 24/32 track etc.
Isn't the hard-drive replaceable on the 1600??
Other than that, it, and its little-bro the 1200 are built like tanks.  8)
recorder
Boss BR-1200
recorder
Cakewalk SONAR
 



https://soundcloud.com/stevebon

AndyR

Quote from: Geir on September 25, 2014, 11:08:58 AMThe dp32 looks fab except for the lack of a drum machine of some kind. A static metronome is a poor substitute.

Actually, the BR1600's drum machine - although I rely on it exclusively, is beginning to feel like a drawback for me... I treat it like a "restriction" that helps me create, but you can't mix them properly - velocity (how hard the hit is) and volume are one and the same thing, panning is fixed (and it's a left-handed drummer!), and there's only one crash cymbal (I've lived with this, but I'm used to a real drummer who had two different crashes). And then there's EQ - I want to EQ snare, kick, and overheads independently... no way to do this unless you clone all the patterns and song arrangement three times (not actually done this yet! :D).

Yes, it's a wonderful drum machine built in, but... I could live with having to dust off my old machine (which has better sounds anyway).

What I'd really miss is the mastering tools. I'm producing better mixes nowadays, so the mastered version doesn't tend to sound a lot different any more, but still... I kinda love what the BR1600's mastering does.

Quote from: SteveB on September 25, 2014, 11:22:46 AMThere have also been a few complaints on the Tascam Forum about the memory card not being up to the task when mixing-down etc on the 24/32 track etc.
Isn't the hard-drive replaceable on the 1600??
Other than that, it, and its little-bro the 1200 are built like tanks.  8)

That's interesting (the memory) on the tascam. And, yeah, if my CD drive is going, I'm hoping that's a replaceable!! The rest of it (bar having to clean buttons sometimes) is very robust. The actual unit itself feels a bit "hollow" - I suspect a big jolt might play havoc with the hard and CD drive.

On the hard-drive - haven't I heard somewhere that the type of drive you'd need is starting to get scarce?
recorder
PreSonus Studio One

(Studio 68c 6x6)
   All that I need
Is just a piece of paper
To say a few lines
Make up my mind
So she can read it later
When I'm gone

- BRM Gibb
     
AndyR is on

   The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
FAWM 2022 Demos
Remasters Vol 1

64Guitars

Quote from: Geir on September 25, 2014, 11:08:58 AMThe dp32 looks fab except for the lack of a drum machine of some kind. A static metronome is a poor substitute.

I was going to say that that's no problem because it has MIDI so you could easily sync it to an external hardware or software drum machine. But I just checked the DP-32SD's specs and was surprised to find that it has no MIDI. For that, you'd have to go to the DP-24 (£469) or DP32 (£549) which both have MIDI In and Out.

http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Tascam_DP-24_Digital_Multitrack_Recorder/TASC-DP24

http://tascam.com/product/dp-24/


The DP-32SD has USB, so you'd think it would at least have MIDI over USB. But I could find no mention of it in the manual.

recorder
Zoom R20
recorder
Boss BR-864
recorder
Ardour
recorder
Audacity
recorder
Bitwig 8-Track
     My Boss BR website


"When one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion." - Robert M. Pirsig

bruno

Downside is that the USB is slow. V1 and V2 - I think V2 has a 80G drive vs V1 which is 40G - took ages to fill the first partition though. Vocal toolbox is rubbish, guitar tones are fab (guitar and bass). It has 8 powered XLR inputs as well as 8 normal 3.5 inch jack inputs (either-or). Mixing and mastering is a piece of piss - with great sounding results. I don't use the drum machine much, I prefer using drum loops on the 1600 - and they sound (imo) great. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you sus it, its consistent and very easy. I never use the manual. Had mine for 4 or 5 years plus, and apart from a HD error that you get if you reboot with a CD inserted - only had a lockup once. It is very stable imo. It is 16bit and not 24bit, but that's never bothered me. Its quite slow when moving from song to song, and backups take ages.

As I said, I'd buy one tomorrow for 350 - depending on condition. The weak point is the hard drive, but I suspect that can be changed if it does go. It may be and IDE drive rather than a SATA disk, so may be more difficult to find these days.

That's all I can think of for now!

Let us know what you end up buying.

B
     
recorder
Boss BR-1600

SteveB

recorder
Boss BR-1200
recorder
Cakewalk SONAR
 



https://soundcloud.com/stevebon

AndyR

Quote from: SteveB on September 25, 2014, 12:03:04 PMHonestly, if I were you guys I'd invest in this - it works on the Br1200 too.

http://www.topsoundproductions.com/products/wav-maker-1600/index.htm

I keep coming across that, and wondering about it... Do you use it?
recorder
PreSonus Studio One

(Studio 68c 6x6)
   All that I need
Is just a piece of paper
To say a few lines
Make up my mind
So she can read it later
When I'm gone

- BRM Gibb
     
AndyR is on

   The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
FAWM 2022 Demos
Remasters Vol 1

SteveB

Quote from: AndyR on September 25, 2014, 01:03:59 PMI keep coming across that, and wondering about it... Do you use it?

I've just been trying to access my PayPal a/c to find out how/when I purchased this - but on this partic compute Vista is the OpSys and PayPal doesn't want to know so I can't verify the date, but I think it was around 2009(?)

I came across this after watching a guy record a local gig with a BR1600 - I jokingly said he'd be there days if he wanted to transfer files to a DAW to edit etc, and he told me about this product.
If I just wanted to transfer a single file from my 1200 to DAW I may just use the .wav export feature etc, however once you have several files to transfer, this lil gem makes it a breeze. Not sure of the technicalities, but I think the WavMaker sees the whole song files as a single file and transfers the lot in a batch. (Though you've got some choice as to what you transfer.)
And to the best of my memory, it cost about £38 incl P&P from the USA, they make you an individual disk with your name on it, which you have to promise not to share, re-sell etc.
recorder
Boss BR-1200
recorder
Cakewalk SONAR
 



https://soundcloud.com/stevebon

AndyR

Thanks for that. I think I'll give it a go...
recorder
PreSonus Studio One

(Studio 68c 6x6)
   All that I need
Is just a piece of paper
To say a few lines
Make up my mind
So she can read it later
When I'm gone

- BRM Gibb
     
AndyR is on

   The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
FAWM 2022 Demos
Remasters Vol 1

Geir

Quote from: AndyR on September 25, 2014, 11:16:42 AMIt's a fabulous machine... but I have to admit it's feeling like "old technology" (one of the reasons I like it! :D)... if I didn't have the history with it, I would be looking at newer things.
I think that sums up my feeling too after reading your replies and thinking back to when I bought my Korg D16 (which was quite old when I got it). .... I guess I'll wait and see then ....

Quote from: 64Guitars on September 25, 2014, 11:44:22 AM
Quote from: Geir on September 25, 2014, 11:08:58 AMThe dp32 looks fab except for the lack of a drum machine of some kind. A static metronome is a poor substitute.

I was going to say that that's no problem because it has MIDI so you could easily sync it to an external hardware or software drum machine. But I just checked the DP-32SD's specs and was surprised to find that it has no MIDI. For that, you'd have to go to the DP-24 (£469) or DP32 (£549) which both have MIDI In and Out.

http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Tascam_DP-24_Digital_Multitrack_Recorder/TASC-DP24

http://tascam.com/product/dp-24/

The DP-32SD has USB, so you'd think it would at least have MIDI over USB. But I could find no mention of it in the manual.
I couldn't either.

The DP32 on the other hand looks rather cool. I still would love to have a drum machine as it really is an integral part of my workflow for most of my songs. Oh well ..... Maybe I'll have to wait for the Boss BR3200 !!! ;D
recorder
Boss BR-80
recorder
Boss BR-800
recorder
Audacity
recorder
iPad GarageBand


Oh well ........

bruno

That's a great price (DP24) - very tempting ....
     
recorder
Boss BR-1600