Best beginner's workstation

[canyonsinthesky]

I'm shopping for my first workstation. I built a DAW but the lack of
portability and the noise (drives and fans) were unacceptable. I'll
start recording tracks one at a time by myself, with a maximum of four
instruments including vocal. On some songs, I will also add tracks for
a duet or trio effect. As I get better at this, I want to record small
groups (up to six people) to get back part of my investment and gain
skill. I'll probably use MIDI on my personal work to build percussion.

I'll use microphone input for some instruments, and things like bass
can go direct to track. As for moving tracks to the PC, I don't know
yet how that should best be accomplished and which spec tells me what
features allow that. Here are the four I'm looking at. Other than
variation in how many tracks can be recorded simultaneously, I don't
understand the price variation.

Roland VS-2000CD Digital Studio Workstation
Roland VS-2400CD Digital Studio Workstation
Yamaha AW1600 Audio Workstation
Yamaha AW2400 Audio Workstation

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/compare?g=perc&base_pid=245013&base_pid=245016&base_pid=241086&base_pid=241080

Keith

[jumpinjavabean]

canyonsinthesky wrote:
> I'm shopping for my first workstation. I built a DAW but the lack of
> portability and the noise (drives and fans) were unacceptable. I'll
> start recording tracks one at a time by myself, with a maximum of four
> instruments including vocal. On some songs, I will also add tracks for
> a duet or trio effect. As I get better at this, I want to record small
> groups (up to six people) to get back part of my investment and gain
> skill. I'll probably use MIDI on my personal work to build percussion.
>
> I'll use microphone input for some instruments, and things like bass
> can go direct to track. As for moving tracks to the PC, I don't know
> yet how that should best be accomplished and which spec tells me what
> features allow that. Here are the four I'm looking at. Other than
> variation in how many tracks can be recorded simultaneously, I don't
> understand the price variation.
>
> Roland VS-2000CD Digital Studio Workstation
> Roland VS-2400CD Digital Studio Workstation
> Yamaha AW1600 Audio Workstation
> Yamaha AW2400 Audio Workstation
>
> http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/compare?g=perc&base_pid=245013&base_pid=245016&base_pid=241086&base_pid=241080
>
> Keith

Keith,

I can't comment on the Yamaha machines, but if you're looking for a
standalone self-contained solution, the Roland V-Studios are great--
just be aware that you'll need an external sequencer to do your MIDI
stuff.
The major difference between the VS-2000CD and the VS-2400CD is that
the 2000 doesn't have motorized faders.
Unfortunately, I think the VS-2000CD has been discontinued.

The best V-Studio resource I've found on the net is:
http://www.vsplanet.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

You might want to post your questions in the forums there.

Good luck,
Jonathan

[Ian Bell]

canyonsinthesky wrote:
>
> Roland VS-2000CD Digital Studio Workstation
> Roland VS-2400CD Digital Studio Workstation
> Yamaha AW1600 Audio Workstation
> Yamaha AW2400 Audio Workstation
>
>
Personally I would not go anywhere near any of these. The Rolands have the
most god awful user interface and the yamahas have a reputation for a
gritty sound. If you want a real 24 track recorder get the new AKAI DPS24
MKII.

Ian

[reddred]

"canyonsinthesky" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I'm shopping for my first workstation. I built a DAW but the lack of
> portability and the noise (drives and fans) were unacceptable. I'll
> start recording tracks one at a time by myself, with a maximum of four
> instruments including vocal. On some songs, I will also add tracks for
> a duet or trio effect. As I get better at this, I want to record small
> groups (up to six people) to get back part of my investment and gain
> skill. I'll probably use MIDI on my personal work to build percussion.
>
> I'll use microphone input for some instruments, and things like bass
> can go direct to track. As for moving tracks to the PC, I don't know
> yet how that should best be accomplished and which spec tells me what
> features allow that. Here are the four I'm looking at. Other than
> variation in how many tracks can be recorded simultaneously, I don't
> understand the price variation.
>
> Roland VS-2000CD Digital Studio Workstation
> Roland VS-2400CD Digital Studio Workstation
> Yamaha AW1600 Audio Workstation
> Yamaha AW2400 Audio Workstation
> Keith
>

I think we have a case of your eyes being bigger than your stomach. The Korg
D888 will do everything you want and then some at a third the cost of the
units you're looking at. It has a very 'musical' interface if you ask me, By
the time you have explored and mastered the less powerful device, you will
understand a variety of techniques and your own preferences will be
solidified to the point to where you will know what you like. I'd put my
money toward getting a variety of microphones to play with and some good
monitors.

jb