Yamaha AW16G (ease of use?)

[KazJY]

...or maybe I am a dummy.

I've had this thing for 2 years, upgrading from a 4-track cassette that recorded all my ideas, etc.

I bought the AW16G (a friend went halves on it with me) to eventually record all my tunes, even release a CD for those that would want to hear it, but I never use the Yamaha because I have to open the book each time - nothing sticks - Even when I make a CD, I can't remember all the steps.

Should I stick with it, or find something simpler? (recommendations would be great). I probably have less than 20 hours of use on the machine, which is pathetic for owning it for 2 years, I know... it is just intimidating to drag it all out, find out how to record myself, and then lose whatever inspiration I had when I had the guitar in hand.

[Cb]

I owned an AW16G for a few years and finally sold it, mostly due to ease of use issues. I only tried editing recorded tracks on the AW16G once, and quickly realized it'd be MUCH easier dropping all 8 tracks to a CD, toting the CD upstairs to my PC, and doing all my production on the PC.

MY primary interest was to record band practices, and I eventually concluded that it'd be far easier to run all my mic's into an old Mackie mixer a bandmate had, then run it's stereo line-out over to the soundcard of a cheap desktop PC I had, and record practices with Audacity. It sounds great...the only limitation is that I can't tweak individual tracks like I could have if I was recording the 8 mics individuially, rather than as one stereo "pre-mix".

I'll eventuially buy a Presonus Firepod (~$399) when I get the urge to record & mix 8 tracks again, but for now, the mixer --> PC setup is very easy to get good MP3's of our practices to my band's website.

Cb ;)

[jlummaa]

I think all these standalone audio workstations do have a learning curve which may not be too easy sometimes.

I had Roland VS-880EX long time ago and i do remember the beginning when i started to learn it. I learned to do the most used functions without the manual during the next couple of months. I would say it took more than 20 hours of use.

[mc5nrg]

the spawn of hell....:(

[RustyAxe]

Take a good look at the Boss BR-600. Don't let the size fool ya. It's full of rhythms, effects, 8 tracks ... it has its limitations, but for most it's very adequate.

[rob2001]

Guess it depends on what you need to do. I'm not very tech savy and find it does everything I need it to. If you need to edit, fix, time comp, auto tune and process to heck and back I can see where it's not very friendly. But just tracking, adding comp, eq, FX, mixing and spinning out a disc I find it pretty easy. I've had ALOT of hours with it though.

[bigroy]

Guess it depends on what you need to do. I'm not very tech savy and find it does everything I need it to. If you need to edit, fix, time comp, auto tune and process to heck and back I can see where it's not very friendly. But just tracking, adding comp, eq, FX, mixing and spinning out a disc I find it pretty easy. I've had ALOT of hours with it though.


+1 I wasn't very adept with digital gear till I finally figured out that I needed to spend some time with the manual. Once I got into it, it became second nature. I had a Yamaha 01v mixer that had me tied in knots, but after I got into the layers, etc, and took some time to understand it, it became a great tool.

[Mike7]

I have the 4416 and yes there is a learning curve but once you have it down it is a great tool. I use it to record 16 tracks at a time and then convert those to wave form and load into cubase for mixing. Just work with it you won't be sorry. There is a site on the web that deals with it made up of users that will help with questions you may have just google the name and you should be able to find it.

[Powerpopfan]

I have the aw2816 which i think preceded your machine. There is no substitute for studying the manual. I am no techno whiz kid, but the machine is so second-nature to me now that recording is a snap. It took a weekend and one full-scale recording project to master. Youve got a great piece of equipment there to make really quality recordings. Stick with it.

[tacorivers]

I have a AW16G that I'll let go for dirt cheap. PM me if interested. I also have the manual and quick guide.

[JeffreyC]

I kinda felt the same way at first with my AW1600. Yamaha manuals in general are a pain! Same with my S90ES. Anyway, once I got the hang of it - took a while and I work in Information Technology, it became very easy to record a band live and either do a quick mix in the Yamaha or dump to my laptop for mixing elsewhere.