I’ve been really fascinated with the idea of using old multitrack recorders from the 2000’s just as mixers with integrated FX, and not even using them to record audio. I recall the converters and FX on some of those old Roland, Boss, and Yamaha units sounding pretty nice.
Has anyone else found any units they like to use in this manner? I’ve had my eye on the Yamaha AW1600, and ended up just ordering one I found. It has 8 audio inputs with EQ & compressor on every channel, and Master FX as well. I particularly like that it has a ducker FX that can be used to sidechain audio without much hassle. I’m a big fan of Yamaha sound quality, so I’m pretty eager to see how this one sounds. It seems kind of like an RS7000 as a mixer with a bunch of channels to me.
That’s a pretty cool idea. Curious to hear how you get on with it. The screen looks terrible but at the same time it seems to have a handy cluster of knobs for editing your selected track, so maybe it’s not too clunky to navigate once you have all your tracks set up right.
Hopefully, it won’t be too bad for just editing FX parameters and saving them to songs that can be loaded. Since I don’t plan on using it for recording any audio, I won’t even have to worry about all the related audio editing features.
I’ve thought similar but they’re usually so big Im not even close enough to having the space. It’s also the cheapest way by far to record 8 tracks simultaneously!
I think there are some really interesting units at the peak of development right before computer DAWS with nice audio interfaces took over as the logical norm. Unlike all these cheap budget mixer/FX units being pumped out nowadays, these top-of-the-line Roland/Yamaha multitrack recorders had so much quality in the build and designs. The Yamaha AW1600 is made in Japan, and is constructed with metal. I think it’s a nice size that should fit well on top of a little rack with a couple compressors.
I never noticed the AW1600 looked so much like the RS7000 before you pointed it out.
I’ve owned the AW4416 and the AW2816, and both are solid units with that clean, neutral Yamaha quality to the effects and converters.
IIRC, the 4416 has two expansion slots ( m-ygdai? ), so that one, at least can input 24 channels at the same time if you buy the cards, or find one with the cards installed.
The 4416 and the 2816 both also have a MIDI mixing layer where assignments can be made for the faders and mute buttons, in addition to sending or receiving MTC and MMC - I think that is also true for the AW1600, but don’t know that for sure.
I was considering getting a 2816 to submix into my OT, but I went a different route.
I think what you’re proposing will work fine, though if space isn’t an issue consider the O1v, which gives more I/O in lieu of the HD recorder.
My first recording rig was built around an EX5, AW4416, and later an Ancient PM9600 with Korg OASYS pci.
Later I moved to G4 with Logic and the Roland RBUS pci / SI-24 combo and Korg OASYS pci. The Roland had a slightly darker quality than the yamaha, but I got tons of work done, and imagine the Roland VS’s will get you there just as fine as any of the Yamaha’s, Fostex, or Tascams of that era.
Unfortunately most of the multi trackers now available seem to have omitted this feature. Personally, I would absolutely love if manufacturers would start putting them back in as it would be very beneficial for me.
I’m thinking that if it’s just being used as an fx box though, the lack of midi sync would not be a total deal breaker.
yes true - esp. if the device in question might have tap-tempo I was thinking more in a multitracker situation - I was using a Tascam DP02 for demos - no fx there at all - which might be one of the last to have MIDI out?
The AW1600 always seemed like a nice machine but I went full HDD recorder & digital desk instead.
Wow, when this guy told me this was mint, he really meant it. Not even the most minor of imperfections. Truly mint.
Like other Yamaha mixers I’m fond of, the pres on the AW1600 overdrive so pleasingly. My Digitakt sounds really nice hitting this this thing a bit hot.
I love how the EQ and Compressor sounds on this too; Yamaha FX algorithms are so awesome imo. I’m very happy with my purchase, and I haven’t even tried out all the other FX like the reverb or ducker.
I was thinking more in a multitracker situation - I was using a Tascam DP02 for demos - no fx there at all - which might be one of the last to have MIDI out?