I gotta ask.....why?

This is one area where DAW is supreme.

If you want the hands on, perhaps a multi channel USB/Firewire mixer like the Mackie Onyx 1640i would work?

There are tons of olskool digital multi track recorders that you could par up with a 'normal' mixing desk too. You'll just need a desk with direct outs.

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Originally posted by tehlord I gotta ask.....why?

I want to keep doing everything live, out of the box, rather than recording in stems. That, and I also don't want to start learning how to use a DAW, if I can continue to produce without it.

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There are tons of olskool digital multi track recorders that you could par up with a 'normal' mixing desk too. You'll just need a desk with direct outs.

Just spoke to Mike Dred on facebook, and he tells me there are some 90s ADAT machines, which are pretty cheap nowadays. The only thing is - I'm using a Mackie vlz-12 now, which I don't think has outs - only ins. So again, basically the Korg D888 seems perfect, but the only problem is that it lacks AUX.

Any tips on a similar machine that also includes AUX, so I can continue to use my digital FX unit while multitracking?

Right ok. I'm not sure what you mean by stems, but whether you multitrack with DAW or hardware you're still going to be dealing with individual audio files.

I would avoid ADATs. They use old super VHS video cassettes to record on and I can foresee all sorts of reliabilty/maintenance issues. Saying that it was superseded by the ADAT hard drive recorders, but they're still very obsolete.

The digital portastudio are (to the best of my knowledge) very basic in terms of features as they're aimed at people recording bands in their garage. The mixing functionality is often basic as the individual files would generally be transferred to computer these days anyway.

I do feel it's probably best to look at the mixer functionality and multi track recording as separate issues. That'll give you the most flexibility for sure.

Still not sure what you'd do about digital multi track recording. It's not something I want to ever revisit

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I had a Korg D3200 ten years ago or so and, from memory, I think it met your needs, and then some. You might want to look into that. I'm guessing that they're probably pretty cheap by now.

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Originally posted by tehlord I'm not sure what you mean by stems, but whether you multitrack with DAW or hardware you're still going to be dealing with individual audio files.

How so? If I'm using hardware to multitrack, wouldn't it just be one file but with different tracks? I just want to be able to continue doing what I'm doing now - everything live - but rather than recording into two stereo tracks into my Tascam DP-004, as I do now, I'd like to multitrack. I guess I'll have to look around and see if I can find something simlilar to the Korg I posted, but with AUX.

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Originally posted by cryophonik I had a Korg D3200 ten years ago or so and, from memory, I think it met your needs, and then some. You might want to look into that. I'm guessing that they're probably pretty cheap by now.

Looks really nice, but a bit pricey for me right now. I also only need up to 16 tracks, rather than 32. The Korg D888 would be perfect, if only it had a pair of AUX outputs.

If you guys know any other machines that may suit me, please feel free to suggest.

Last edited by AlphaStarred on Mar-31-2016 at 21:59

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Originally posted by AlphaStarred Looks really nice, but a bit pricey for me right now.

I checked my local craigslist and there's one here with a case/cables for $350. What's your budget?

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Originally posted by cryophonik I checked my local craigslist and there's one here with a case/cables for $350. What's your budget?

That's pretty much my budget. Would you consider picking it up and shipping it to me? I'll pay all costs, of course and whatever you decide to charge me for your time and effort.

I read that it has AUX send/receive, unlike the Korg D888, right? I'd be able to use my external FX unit with it, I assume.

EDIT: doesn't look like it has an EQ for each channel, like the D888, right? Seems like it's only accessible via the menu, which is rather unfortunate.

Last edited by AlphaStarred on Apr-01-2016 at 00:21

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Originally posted by tehlord I do feel it's probably best to look at the mixer functionality and multi track recording as separate issues. That'll give you the most flexibility for sure.

Yeah, I've been talking to someone and they also suggested that maybe I use a mixer with direct outs - this way maybe I can get a cheap multitrack recorder and just have the outs of my mixer go directy into the tracks. I'm assuming all AUX fx, eq, etc. will cut through as well...?

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Originally posted by AlphaStarred How so? If I'm using hardware to multitrack, wouldn't it just be one file but with different tracks? I just want to be able to continue doing what I'm doing now - everything live - but rather than recording into two stereo tracks into my Tascam DP-004, as I do now, I'd like to multitrack. I guess I'll have to look around and see if I can find something simlilar to the Korg I posted, but with AUX. Looks really nice, but a bit pricey for me right now. I also only need up to 16 tracks, rather than 32. The Korg D888 would be perfect, if only it had a pair of AUX outputs. If you guys know any other machines that may suit me, please feel free to suggest.

I did that with my old hardware. However my Korg/Yamaha/Roland gear all had onboard sequencers. Then just recorded straight into my 4 track.
I gotta tell ya man...that was 5 years ago. That was when I dropped all my gear for Ableton and a midi controller. I gotta tell ya, I wasn't thrilled in the beginning and fought it. I'm glad I didn't resist long because the amount of change for the better is incomparable. I highly suggest a re evaluation.
Don't get me wrong...I know why you are probably doing what you are,at the same time, I also think you are holding yourself back with not having a DAW. Work flow especially. Just a few cents

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Originally posted by SystematicX1 I did that with my old hardware. However my Korg/Yamaha/Roland gear all had onboard sequencers. Then just recorded straight into my 4 track.

Yeah, that's what I've always been doing, but why should I use a DAW if I can just record into, say, an 8 or 16-track recorder? Unless you're suggesting I start writing in stems? I'd really rather do everything live, honestly.

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Originally posted by SystematicX1 ...I also think you are holding yourself back with not having a DAW. Work flow especially. Just a few cents

Thanks for the tip, but how would I be holding myself back, exactly?

I totally get the notion of staying OTB as well, but sometimes the modern tech is the winning tech.

I certainly wouldn't want to trust my recordings to a 10 year old hard drive either

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