Yamaha AW2400 or AW1600 anyone?

[64Guitars]

I'm trying to build up my perfect mobile studio so I can record other bands at their own choice of locations.

One thing you might want to consider is that the Yamaha recorders use hard drives for storage. If you're planning to take it to multiple locations to record bands, you might be better off with a recorder that uses flash memory for storage as it's not prone to damage from rough handling and transport (such as bouncing around in the trunk of your car). A hard drive might be okay if you're careful with it and pack it well for traveling, but you wouldn't have to worry about a memory card at all.

I keep running into people who tell me to just go with a laptop DAW since it's so much more flexible and upgradeable. But I honestly find that computers, especially laptops, are way to vulnerable to all sorts of headache causing glitches. It just takes all the fun out of the creative process.

I totally agree. Also, I would need a proper control surface if I was to use a software DAW. I couldn't tolerate having to adjust levels, panning, and other parameters with mouse clicks. Yuk! I need real controls.

[hewhoiscalledj]

Yeah a control surface would make using a computer DAW much better. If I went that route, I'd get a Tascam FW1804. Played with one at the store some time ago and it worked and felt really nice (faders rock.) It gives you 8 XLR powered inputs and has ADAT i/o for hooking up even more inputs like a MOTU 8pre or similar. I could almost talk myself into going this route if it werent for my newly developing disgust for trying to get things done with a computer.

I'm probably somewhat backwards and primitive with my logic but I seriously believe that us "humans" need to start going old-school more. All this technology is beginning to drown out the creativity and resourcefulness that once proliferated on this planet. Not to mention sucking up whats left of our natural resources. Buy used gear when you can, simplify the processes by limiting your gear and signal chain, and for pete's sake... keep making music!