Korg D888 Questions

[Hot Sauce Records]

I am opening up a record label, and I've got multiple bands wanting me to record them from my area. I dont have much as far as equipment goes. Basically as of now I'm recording everything through my PC. I've already produces one bands cd, which was a small acoustic band. Now I've got bands with 5 or 6 members needing to record. So my question is, with the Korg D888, would I be able to plug in 8 different instruments / microphones playing at the same time, and it would record each of them on a seperate track? If so from there could I plug it into my computer, and import the audio from the korg onto my computer so I would be able to edit it with my software there? If I would be able to export the audio from the Korg would it be a flattened track or could I move the audio around and lay it in different places? ie would it export as 8 seperate tracks instead of 1 flattened track? Also, would it be ok to plug say an instrument directly into the recorder, or would there be something I would need to run it through first? I was planning on running, if possible the instruments to a Y adapter, where I could hook it into the korg, and then into an amp so they could hear what they were playing. Would that be the best way? If at all possible I would like to run a balanced cabel to the recorder, to try and keep the audio as clear as possible for whats being recorded. Help is appreciated.

[Hot Sauce Records]

Anyone, I could really use the help?

[Byll]

My studio has been based on stand-alone DAWs, for years. All stand-alone units are different in their needs and capabilities. Your D888 has relatively limited track quantity, but is of a modern design, which includes more mic pre-amps than units in the past...I will attempt to answer only the questions that I am relatively sure of, vis-a-vis your D888.

1. Your unit contains 8 mic preamps/instrument inputs. It is also able to record 8 tracks at once. Therefore, your first wish is its command.

2. With USB connectivity, you can dump info. to your computer. However, you will have to carefully read your owner's manual to understand the methodology. Usually, one Wav. file (mono or stereo) is dumped at a time, which means the compiling and sync must be accomplished by the computer. Your mileage may vary.

3. I would suggest monitoring from the D888 itself, not from some y-cable configuration. On that road lie dragons.

4. Your mic cables to the D888 will be balanced. Your electric guitars and basses will need DI boxes, and your synths will record directly, but unbalanced. Another method for guitars, of course, is to simply mic the amp cabinets.

5. I am a firm believer in stand-alone units, but if you own the computer and recording software already, why not simply purchase an 8+ channel interface and record on the unit with which you are familiar?

Be well.
Byll

[Greg mgm]

Im brand new to recording (but not to playing music) and I have a D 888 that I bought 2 weeks ago. Yes, you can record 8 tracks simultanously on seperate tracks. Your second question is easier. Plug the Korg into your computer, and you see the Korgs hard drive as a drive on your computer, with no effort or exporting, etc. The tracks show as seperate files (if you havent mastered) or as a single file if you've mastered already. From that point, the files can be edited and played with on your software. Ive only plugged a Roland digital piano, and Roland V drums into my D888, and cant address other instruments...yet. As Byll said, there's monitoring outputs on the Korg (1/4") but you do need either powered monitor speakers or amplifier and speakers My opinion is- -its a great unit for the $$.

[phollopwillingpa]

The Korg 888 is an awsome unit! I demoed it last weekend.

I have three complaints about it though:

1. The midi out only sends mtc (midi time code) and not midi clock (for syncing sequences and workstations). Big issue if you want to redo drum patters and synth sequecing.

2. No fx loop! The internal effects are okay, and usuable, but not the kind I would generally use.

3. The whirr from the hard drive may be problematic if you are right on top of the machine doing editing. It's sometime draining to hear all the time.

However,

the simplicity, price and feel of the device is very nice and durable. If the midi out issues were addressed in an updated operating system, I would buy it in a heartbeat! I still might (just for backing up previous projects done on other multi tracks), but I'm going to think about it a bit longer.

Cheers!