PC DAW or Stand-alone for $1k

[Jeff Smith]

I currently have a Yamaha Sw1000XG card with Cakewalk Proaudio 8. While the XG part sounds great and recording the XG to hard disk does great, I have had very poor results recording external audio via a Mackie 1202. My system is a P3-450 with 17GB and 128MB. My question is, what is my best option for hard disk recording? Do I get something like the Roland studio pack and hope I can get it to record while running the XG sound card, or should I look at an all-in-one hard disk recorder thus separating the recording hardware from the sound producing hardware? Secondly, what do you think is the best stand-alone for under $1k? Thanks for any thoughts.

[Nixon]

Jeff,

I have this same conversation at least 3 times a day, and it never turns out the same. Basically, it comes down to how you are going to use the system. For under $1k, you are going to be limited to the number of inputs that you can use. Are you going to be need portability? Are you going to record an entire band or just record yourself? Based on these factors, it might be better to go to another card like the Aardvark 24/96 or even the MOTU 2408. But if you need an all in one system then the Roland type of stand alones might work for you.


If you want to talk to me more extensively about your system, please feel free to give me a call.


Clint

[shaneperc]

Jeff,
Don't get a stand-alone unit. You will be stuck with that particular configuration and its capabilities for as long as you keep it (except for the few upgrades available for that model). Also, I haven't heard a sub $1000 stand-alone that sounded decent. At this price level, the engineers are concerned with cramming in as many doohickies and gizmos as they can. Sound quality is not a high priority. (The only stand-alone recorder that I ever heard and would consider buying is the Yamaha model, but that's over $3000)
I think Nixon had some much better suggestions with the Aardvark 24/96 or the MOTU 2408. Also, being a fellow PC user and abuser...

(Sweetwater sales staff, please stop reading at this point!)

I would suggest checking out the Echo Layla, especially in contrast to the 2408. The Layla has much better sounding a/d/a converters. (Not including your microphone, the converters are the most influencial factor in how your audio will sound.) Another reason to look at Echo is that they're a PC hardware company. They do a great job in keeping on top of writing new drivers for the neverending parade of flavor-of-the-month operating systems that Mr. Gates sentences us to. Their drivers for the Layla also register very low latency timings for most of the popular PC recording software.
Of course, if you want to get a unit with everything included in it (including microphone preamps), then the 24/96 is a great recommendation. Best of all, you can pick this baby up from the friendly folks at Sweetwater!*

Happy Hunting!,
Shane

* Compensation for mentioning a product not offered through Sweetwater. ;)

[sreder]

Given that you already have a good computer system, $1000 can buy you a good software package (or will you be sticking with Cakewalk? If so, you can put more money into the sound card and/or another hard disk drive) with plug-ins and an audio card. Personally, I say go for a computer-based DAW. As you have already seen with Cakewalk, computer-based DAW's are incredibly flexible, easy to upgrade and new functionality is constantly being developed.

[Jeff Smith]

Hey guys, thanks for all the input. After further consideration I realized portability was going to be important to me. Therefore I have picked up a Korg D16. Although I have only had it for a very short time, the power and ease of use of this unit is unbelievable. I highly recommend it for anyone looking a portable recorder. Thanks again for all the feedback...

[blacko3788]

I have a couple friends who use digi001 made by digidesign and they love it....sound pretty good to boot. Another option is as everybody before me stated the MOTU 2408 which I own. But you have to buy a recording program like logic or cubase or cakewalk.

[UPCHUCK]

Wow, I had the same question as Jeff, but today I came across a scratch and dent item, an Akai DPS 12i with a 20 gig HD and EB4M board for $679. This time, I was lucky and snagged it. I hope I made a good choice, I will be getting it in a few days. Anyone with this same equipment? I would sure like to be in contact someone with the same rig. I tried to buy the Roland 880EX that was going for $599 at Sam Ash, but they were all gone by the time I put in my order.

[UPCHUCK]

Thanks for the feedback dawbox, I'll be using a Roland mc50mkII and a Roland MT-32 in the studio as well ( I think I will anyway). I just got a pci usb card for my lap top, and I also have a HP with some empty bays and slots to work with, so I will be looking for some software that might be useful. I would like to make some DVDs or videos some day as soon as I get up to speed technically. I have to pick up a CD burner. Would I be better off to get a Zip for backup, or a CD burner that will do both CDR and CDR-W? Wow, so much to learn. As a side note, I found a working Casio VZ-1 keyboard for $50 bucks. I have a casio PG380 synth guitar and the ROM card in it also works in the VZ-1, so I do have some sounds, but I don't have a clue as to using the synth in the VZ-1 yet. Anybody have a book on the VZ-1?

[shroud]

Shane,
Correction!! Sweetwater CAN special order a Layla if you ABSOLUTELY need it.

[shaneperc]

Correction noted!

[Digital Vet]

I think stand alone units suck! They keep you caught in a world with fewer options. I would get a DAW any day over a Roland or a Akai.


I have had a couple of the like the 840 and the 1680 and now that I have a DAW I wish I would have had one all along


Just my 2 cents



Sweetwater sells em too, but I think there prices are a bit steep.:(

[Ernest828]

This all depends on how you will be working...
For example, if you`re looking to record from home and you`ve got the computer, go w/ a seqeuncer & get a 2408 or a 828. Where will you be working? With what? & with who? As convenient as the "all in one boxes" are, they seem to have one advantage over a DAW, portability. Sure you can travel with your computer ... it`s all up to you. Ask yourself these questions and then get back here w/ them & we can help you out even more.

How many tracks do you need?
Will you be traveling?
What is the final product? (CD? Demos?)
What are your future plans to record?

Peace,
Ernest