So I’m thinking a hardware recorder may be in order. I imagine it would be much more productive way to work for me. Any opinions/recommendations on particular products? I’ve been considering the Zoom R8. Anyone here have experience with this unit?
How many instruments are you wanting to record at once? The R8 will do two tracks at once, so one stereo instrument at a time. It’ll playback all 8 at once.
Is that enough for your needs?
Not too concerned with two input deal
I’d be using my Octatrack as a mixer for my A4, Sub Phatty, and MiniBrute.
Record those as one stereo track.
Then, as it’s battery operated experiment with different environments with vocal recordings (tiled bathroom, garage, public library…)
The sample triggers are an intriguing feature too. I do wonder about the playability of them though.
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Cool, I think you may have found your answer, then 
Maybe someone else will chime in about similar Tascam or Boss products.
I use a beastly Tascam 488mkII myself >.>
I was thinking Zoom R16 for myself, but R8 would realistically satisfy my needs too, for about $50 less, and it also has a pad-triggered sampler.
Actually, if I buy it from Amazon, it’s a lot more than $50 less - it’s only $229 there…
Hm…
It seems to me that the older ones were better,
i use a korg d3200, great machine,
i allways wanted a yamaha aw44 but they dont make them anymore
i think tascam are the only manufacturer left that still makes serious recorders…
http://www.thomann.de/fr/tascam_dp_32.htm
I picked up a Tascam Dp32 and it’s working like a dream thus far.
With 8 inputs and midi it has totally revolutionised my work flow.
I did a fair bit of research into it before hand and the issues that were flagged with regards t it crashing have never occurred (yet) in 7 months of constant use.
It is genuinely the missing piece of the jigsaw and has freed me from the wretched computer!
The dp32 looks interesting to me too. Love the display
Have a Zoom R24 that have used for field recordings with it’s pretty great built-in mics. Also, when not using R24 with a DAW, but recording to SDHC, you can record 8 mono or 4stereo pairs at a time, and can record while other two banks of 8 channels play back what you have already recorded…also works as a nice pad sampler/sequencer.
No MIDI, menus, but also happens to have a lot of great effects and even amp sims, not to mention Big Fish Audio Drum samples.
Can run on batteries.
Works as a nice summing mixer with Mackie type sliders and control surface.
Here is an in-depth review of the Zoom R8:
http://www.henkybacker.com/2011/09/me-and-my-virtual-friend-doing-an-in-depth-review-of-the-r8/
Looks like a good fit for me, even with the flaws pointed out in the review. A footswitch input, for footswitch control of punch-ins, is a plus for me.
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Thanks for the link! Odd, but good review. The foot print keeps me coming back to the R8. Just trying to consider what unforeseen impact the lack of midi I/o might have. Seems strange to have such a in depth rhythm arranger and no way to send clock signal.
Not on commission or anything but Dp-32 has footswitch in?
Decisions, decisions…
Thanks for the link! Odd, but good review. The foot print keeps me coming back to the R8. Just trying to consider what unforeseen impact the lack of midi I/o might have. Seems strange to have such a in depth rhythm arranger and no way to send clock signal. [/quote]
I just ordered the R8, as well as the footswitch for it. The Amazon price is the best I’ve found. I don’t know how much I’ll actually use the onboard sampler and rhythm machine, aside from generating a scratch track that I might erase later. The majority of my MIDI sequencing is going to come from my Octatrack, Emu Command Station, or iPad with its many IOS apps.
Will post recordings made on the R8 after I get it. 
Went yesterday to GuitarCenter to pick up the R8 as it was on sale for about -50$.
About an hour later I left with a Moogerfooger 12 stage phaser
Damn you a.d.d.
When the money comes around again I’m gonna get it I think.
Let me know what you think of it when you get yours Gov
There’s also the r16. I use it all the time. It’s built kinda plasticky but sounds great. Super easy to use and very portable. File transfer is quick and as mentioned before can be used as a sound interface. What’s not to like!
I have a yamaha AW2400, hard to find and not very mobile but sounds great.
I had a Zoom R16 before and recommend it as well. I find that it’s mid tones are a little pronounced, but it works extremely well for the size and price.
I was gonna get an R8 but I ended up with the H4n. Nicer mics and same inputs. I really like it. Especially for taking it out and about for field recordings. Plus it’s smaller than the R8 and can just sit at the back of the desk.
Yeah I noticed that in your Banshee and Solstice videos right?
Nice tracks btw
Lol, I can relate. I was tempted by the Eventide Space on sale at JRRShop for $380. With my laptop nearing end-of-life, though I really did want a standalone multitrack recorder. While I’m not a serious field recording person, the onboard mics should be useful for recording gamelan rehearsals. Because of my trial membership with Amazon Prime, the R8 and footswitch was shipped almost immediately after I placed my order. I might get it as early as Thursday.
Thought about the R16, but you called attention to the footswitch input - that’s a desirable feature to me too. The DP24 has bells and whistles I don’t need at almost 3x the price.
Received the R8 and made my first recording. All tracks feature my Moog Voyager. Sorry about the substandard musicianship. Then again I plan to use the R8 to improve my playing, by recording a lot.
Here’s the recording:
https://soundcloud.com/governorsilver/maiden-voyager-test-recording
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