Boss BR1600

I upgraded from a Boss BR-8 to a BR1600 about a year ago. In the past I have used my computer and several different software packages to record but seemed to always be trying to figure out how to make something work, too much time on the computer and too little time to play my guitar. With the BR1600 (and the BR-8 ) it is so easy and fast, the first time I turned it on, I stayed with it l all day and when I turned it off, I already had one of my songs recorded, mixed, and burned to CD. One more thing, I had concerns about the CD burner as I was using a tascam professional burner. The CD burn Quality on the BR1600 sounds every bit as good when compared with a CD burn from my professional unit. All that said, I give this unit the highest rating!

Awesome Mucho Bang For The Buck

I've had various other digital recorders(Roland,Zoom and Fostex) and this unit just totally blows them all away so far!! Really simple to operate!! You should also check out the Boss BR-1600 DVD Owners Manual to help you get the most out of this awesome machine!!

On the go recorder

I have a Roland V.S 2400, I record with and master my projects on protools on my Mac.I picked up a br1600just for something on the go{mobile}.Wow !!You dont need to carry an amp,no need for any out board gear.All in one self contained boss perfection! Recordings sound great!!Dont forget your guitar and a mic!

Monster workstation!!!

When I finally had an opportunity to purchase a workstation for my modest home studio Mike Rancourt was extremely helpful, knowledgable and honest in validating my research with all the many models and brands with workstations in the same price point.

With the features, and the design, I settled with the Boss 1600CD. My intuition and research proved out with great results and satisfaction with my demo's, my re-mastering of old projects and now a industry quality CD that I've recently released. In fact when my CD was being mastered the studio owner asked what Pro Tools system I was using to record with!

I would also like to mention the one and only issue I 've had with the BR100CD (I've used it heavily for the last 6 months) was with the intial setup. When I noticed a 60 cycle hum coming from my sub woofer I couldn't resolve it so I called Mike.

Mike had me try a couple of things with no results, then turned me over to the tech dept. They had me try a couple of things also with no results. Before I knew it, I was having a 3 way conversation with the Roland tech and the Sweetwater tech working hard to solve a seemingly simple issue.

The fix as it turns out was very elementary. It became obvious there was a ground loop issue which was easily resolved with a $2.00 purchase from Home Depot and a 3 minutes to connect a ground wire from the electrical socket to the grounding terminal of the BR1600.

This is testimony to the fact if you are having issues of any nature with your gear- "after the sale"- you are NOT going to be left holding the bag with a negative sales experience from these guys. That's why I'm a return customer!

I can't say enough about the quality of the BR1600CD. It's everything Boss claims it to be. Once you flatten the learning curve on this baby, it's very easy and fast to use! And of course it is only limited by your imagination.

But don't believe me... believe your ears! I've posted my tunes on myspace webpage you can sample yourself.

great machine but beware!!!

this is my 1st and only machine and although i love its effects and functions. there is one slight problem that im guessing all machines have and that the memory.....i guess after so many song the br 1600 becomes very vulnerable and basic functions are no longer basic. i now have whats called a fragmented machine. and the more i download the wrost it gets.....so now i must back up every song and re-boot it so to speak.......so at this moment even though i can still record i choose not to cause it will cause more problesm..... if anyone is experiencing this pleas email me cause i would love your feed back....my email is casualtee_88@yahoo.com

Br1600 okay to start out

This is great for those learning how to record.But if your serious about stepping up then you need to go right into computer recording .So much FASTER/more HARD DRIVE space/THOUSANDS of VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS via cds to choose from,and the sound quality of computer(24/96) verses BR1600(16/44)-BIG!! difference.Save yourself $800 but a Presonus -$199 so much better.

Great values and features - USB a little limited

QUALITY:

Built like a tank - okay just don't drop it and you should be fine.


FEATURES:

Features are great - best platform there is for mobile recording of live audio events. Can't beat 1/4 inch jack/8 XLRs with phantom power all inputs with compresion EQ on every input! USB function is limited (one mono/stereo track at a time), but can be overcome by using WAV-MAKER-1600 software utility which is now available. Bass and drum machines are a definite plus. COSM amp models means you can build a whole gig around this thing and play live without a backing band or extra effects.


EASE OF USE:

Very easy to use. Recording 1, 2, or 8 tracks couldn't be easier to setup is very easy and intuitive.


VALUE:

The price is about right - not as expensive as the VS2000 but with a majority of the important features for recording live bands. You can mix and master and produce a CD all on the unit, although I personally use Cakewalk SONAR for that functionality after getting the WAV files off the BR-1600CD


SOUND:

Sound is great - I love the effects, they are very high quality. Pre-amps are pretty good, just keep single coiled pickups away from the unit and watch your gain settings.