BR1600 - buttons not responding

[Super 8]

ALL the buttons on my BR1600 have stopped responding. The only feature that's working is the jog wheel. Everything else = ZILCH! (I can't even shutdown properly. I press the shutdown button and it come sup' SHutdown?' but the 'YES' button doesn't work either). Any ideas what could have possibly gone wrong here? Was working perfectly up to last night. Turned on this morning and 'checks', 'loads', 'complete' no problem on start up but not one single button does anything.

[Super 8]

It's as though the whole thing has 'locked up'. It's REALLY weird! It's been working perfectly. I swapped the hard drive out for another formatted drive with other projects on it (which I've done on numerous occasions over the years) and it fired up great but once it had gone through the start-up process ('loading'; 'checking' & 'complet!') NONE of the buttons work. I can't access ... anything! No 'Play'; no 'Enter'; no 'Utility' ... I can't even 'Shutdown' properly as the 'Yes' button doesn't work - none of them do! I've been using BR1600 machines for years and have never experienced anything like this. ANy ideas? 

[Super 8]

I've tried holding down F5/Undo on power up to get into test mode but I can't get it boot into test mode.

[Hook]

Sounds like its time for a Tascam dp24sd.

[Super 8]

Thanks for the input Hook. Yes, it has crossed my mind that it MIGHT be time to move on here. I'm just SO familiar with the BR1600! I've recorded four albums on it and it's all I know really! The thought of learning a new system terrifies me - LOL! OK, TASCAM ... tell me more. First question: Why a DP24 over a DP32?   

[Hook]

Why a DP24 over a DP32? 

For me the 24 is more machine than I will probably ever use. It has virtual tracks if I ever needed them, maybe to mic a drum kit and then bounce it down. It has 8 inputs that you can record simultaneously, again more than I probably will need. I assume the 32 has more but I dont know for sure. It's very easy to use with a easy /clear menu system. It uses large Sd cards and records all files to wav (no proprietary format to convert from) for easy transfer. Lots of faders and knobs!!

The effects sound great but are a little bit of a challenge to figure out. There are some very good youtube tutorials for that however. The mastering effects are quite good and all the effects are designed for easy tweeking...if your into that.

All in all, it's a far superior machine to the 1600 and since boss doesnt show any sign of launching a new 16+ line of machines it's the only logical choice. You can look at the Zoom R16 which can be slaved to another to double function. It's a solid machine and the effects are very good with a tendancy to go over the top. I however don't like Zooms menu systems at all and find thier products to be entirely to difficult to enjoy using.

I have done many recordings with my 24sd and was very comfortable with in a very quick fashion. Sadly my home isn't conducive to recording music...4 kids and no room for a studio, so it sits in storage awaiting my childrens graduation and hopeful departure... I am pretty much confined to my car with my Ukulele and the BR80. I am currently coveting the BR800 for my infrequent house recordings. In all honesty, the BR800 is probably plenty of machine for me and my foreseeable future.

Hope some of this was helpful, it's one of my favorite topics to discuss.
Good luck and Rock on!

[alfstone]

I too come from BR-600 and BR800 and now I have (since a couple of years) the DP-24SD. I'm very, very glad of my choice, by all points of view.

Alfredo

[Super 8]

COOL! Thanks so much for all the info Folks. I'm currently toying with either a DP24 or DP32 (although I KNOW I'm seriously going to miss the line-in guitar presets in the BR1600 - I can't imagine the Tascam presets being anywhere near as good as Boss and, sadly, because I record in a residential area at night I'm unable to mic up an amp. My guitar/bass recordings have to be DI based).

Just a quickie: In 16 bit mode I guess you'll get the full compliment of tracks ie: 24 on a DP24 / 32 with a DP32. Track count is a fairly big consideration this end too and I'm swaying toward a DP32 at this moment BUT do you lose the full track count when recording at 24bit? Quality is quite a big factor. I think if I'm coming from YEARS of recording on a 16bit Boss unit I'm going to now be looking to 'move into the 21st Century' and record in full 24bit ... but not if that means sacrificing the available track count! Like I say, the more the merrier. ANy idea?

[alfstone]

I may be wrong, But I don't think the number of tracks has anything to do with the 16/24 bit resolution. It has instead to do with the amount of space required ond the SD card, of course...

Give a look here:

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=61970

https://homerecording.com/bbs/user-forums-by-brand/tascam-user-forum/recording-16-bit-24-bit-361202/

Alfredo

[chapperz66]

I loved my BR1600 and used it constantly up until it too started to get a bit glitchy - buttons randomly failed to operate, hard drive errors etc.  I decided to be brave and make the leap into the unknown and move to a DAW - Presonus Studio One in my case.  I realise they are not everybody's cup of tea, but for me, it was the best thing I have ever done. The learning curve was fairly steep but manageable.

Track counts are not a problem.  And software synths are just wonderful as far as I'm concerned!

But - as I say - they are not for everyone, and unless you already have a fairly powerful computer you have to factor one into the budget, which means it can be an expensive option.

Just saying this as another potential option.

Paul