View Full Version : Anybody use the BOSS standalone recording units???
like the BR900 or something?
JS335
08-18-2008, 06:38 PM
I used to have a BR-1180CD. I actually upgraded to the Roland 2400 and wished I didn't. I think the BR units are great. Good sound quality, built in drums. Plenty of inputs for home recording. Built in eq, compressors and effects. Portability for recording live gigs. I liked mine. I'll probably be getting another BR unit at some point.
NB_Terry
08-18-2008, 06:40 PM
I have the Boss BR-600.
Love it, best $350 I've ever spent.
frankencat
08-18-2008, 06:42 PM
I use the Micro BR. I love it.
TehSuperFox
08-18-2008, 06:43 PM
I had a Boss BR-864 and I really liked it. Very easy to use once you get the hand of it and produced great sounding recordings.
But I actually ended up selling it for a Zoom H2 because I wanted something more portable. It was a great unit, but just had too much stuff I didn't need. Still highly recommended.
I have the BR-8. I really don't use it anymore, as I picked up a used Korg D1600. Having said that, if I didn't need more than 8 tracks, I'd still be using the Boss. I was totally happy with it other than the track count. I had even upgraded the zip drive by replacing the 100MB with a 250MB.
were the mic preamps any good? That is the most important thing for me right now...i need strong, lots of power, good sounding preamps.
drive-south
08-18-2008, 07:37 PM
I use a Tascam DP01FX/CD which is in the same league as the Boss units. I've had mine since April and I've gotten good results from it. I got a real bargain on mine at $300 (brand new in the box). It's gonna take a lot to convince me I need to switch to PC-based recording.
The only thing I find a waste on this unit is the multi-efx. They are a joke.
I've been looking at the new Tascam DP02 which is a completely new design with useable efx and a much better display. I may sell the DP01 to a friend and get the DP02. I think it would be worth the extra $200.
buellracer
08-18-2008, 08:28 PM
I've got a Boss Br-900 and I was completely new to recording when I bought it and have learned a lot with it. It's not the easiest thing in the world to use but the manual is pretty good and you can buy a dvd made by boss if you need more instruction (i didn't get the dvd and have been fine).
For basic recording its VERY easy to use, I would say the mic pres are as good as anything out there under $200. I've gotten better results using those built in mic pres than many outboard units. The trick is to record with them set fairly low (you'd think it's not enough signal and no good) but when you mix the signal and bounce the tracks up the crap out of the volume with the excellent built in eq's and compressers. You don't even necessarily have to turn the effect up to its noticable, just use it for volume boost and you'll have excellent sounding recordings.
I would say I'm very impressed with the 900 and I've had it for about 2 and a half years now. I really do like the portability and being able to take it to a friends house or band practice (then you can critically listen and find where you need to practice), so I agree that it'd take a lot to convince me that pc is the way to go.
kselbee
08-19-2008, 06:03 AM
i Have The Boss Br-600.
Love It, Best $350 I've Ever Spent.
+1!
drive-south
08-19-2008, 06:07 AM
I'm not too thrilled with the mic pre's on my Tascam DP01FX/CD. I ended up buying a pair of ART Tube-PACs to use with it. I'm getting much better results now when micing or recording bass direct through the TUBE PACs.
http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=79&cat=1&id=2
I record keyboards and drum machine direct and that works out great.
For acoustic guitar I use an AKG C1000s and for vocals AKG C3000. They are not the most highly acclaimed mics out there but they work fine for me. I'm getting ready to record some slide guitar on my Dobro DM33 and I'll experiement with mic placement and settings before laying anything down.
drive-south
franksguitar
08-19-2008, 06:58 AM
I have the Tascam DP01FX and tried recording live bands with it and any vibration locks it up and wouldn't allow me to open it. It's ok for home recorded tracks but my Korg D1600 is far better and run and connect the 2 machines optically as well as to my Marantz CD burner plus I use tube preamps. I also use analog 8 & 16 track reel To reel machines and dump to digital.
jtees4
08-19-2008, 07:14 AM
I used to have a Boss BR8 which was my first foray into the digital world after years of reel to reel. It was great for a start. I now use my computer. About a month ago I bought a friend a BR532 (used) which is a 4 track digital...he was an old guy who hasn't recorded in years. He needed a lot of help, but the recordings sound good. I think th Boss stuff makes great recordings, and Boss has the advantage of the built in drums.
Old Fuzzface
08-19-2008, 07:18 AM
Another happy BR-600 owner here.
stump
08-19-2008, 07:15 PM
I've got a BR 1600 and love it. Works great for recording multiple instruments simultaneously due to 8 XLR inputs. The effects work nicely. The only weakness that I find are the amp models. The Bass amp models sound fine and the built in drums sound good as well. I also have the BR2 Micro for quick and very portable recording.
sfletch
08-19-2008, 07:22 PM
I had the BR8 - twice. First time, sold it and got the Korg D1600, didn't like it as much, sold that and bought another br8. I always said that if they ever came out with a 16 track br 8, I'd jump on it. By the time they came out with the br1600, though, I was already well absorbed in computer recording.
I miss my br8, though...some of the stuff I recorded on it was as good as anything I've done. If I could have exported the individual tracks as wav. files and mixed them in Cubase, it would pave been great.
It was kinda a last hurrah for recording with my "ears"....seems like these days, working on Cubase and Acid, and Reason, etc. I all too often use my eyes too much instead of just listening.
The Boss stuff is great, and I think integration with PCs has gotten better.
fuzzyguitars
08-21-2008, 02:48 PM
I've got a BR 1600 and love it. Works great for recording multiple instruments simultaneously due to 8 XLR inputs. The effects work nicely. The only weakness that I find are the amp models. The Bass amp models sound fine and the built in drums sound good as well. I also have the BR2 Micro for quick and very portable recording.
hey i got the same set up.
i recently added some outboard pre's
aea trp
presonus adl 600
This thread is of interest to me. I am close to purchasing a TASCAM DP-02cd although I thought about the Boss BR-900cd as well. Both seem good, the TASCAM is newer, and costs less, so I like that. Probably will use a SHure SM57 mic with it. Undecided about monitors.
Funny, I've contacted 3 vendors on ebay, but no one will return my messages about some basic questions I have (i.e. is the BR-900 they're selling a version 2 model)
Maybe they don't want my business?
This thread is of interest to me. I am close to purchasing a TASCAM DP-02cd although I thought about the Boss BR-900cd as well. Both seem good, the TASCAM is newer, and costs less, so I like that. Probably will use a SHure SM57 mic with it. Undecided about monitors.
Funny, I've contacted 3 vendors on ebay, but no one will return my messages about some basic questions I have (i.e. is the BR-900 they're selling a version 2 model)
Maybe they don't want my business?
Well the preamps in the Tascam are too weak by themselves. However, if you pick up a tube preamp (I got a behringer mic100 for 40$) the thing sounds amazing. You could get along without another separate preamp, but for my needs a preamp really helps. Otherwise, the Tascam is super easy to use from recording to mastering. The guitar amp models are not very good for my tastes, but the vocal effects are good. By the way, the build in reverb is very good.
Guitar Slinger6
08-21-2008, 07:32 PM
I have a BR1600, you can listen to my links below and hear some of the capabilities. I still have not mastered the mastering part of the unit.
Guitar Slinger6 - I listened to your tunes. Was Amazing Grace done using the BR-1600. What did you use to record the guitar the COSM effects or a microphone. I really like that tune. Was it unmastered as well?
RustyAxe
08-22-2008, 09:02 AM
BR600 owner, and happy to be! Not the highest fidelity (still great, though!), but do I need more than regular CD quality? Definite pluses are the portability, decent internal mics for recording live, lots of tracks, usable effects, rhythms, etc. It's my main "sonic notepad" for getting down ideas for new songs, for working out harmonies, for arranging multiple instruments (I play guitar; acoustic, electric, and bass; harmonica, keyboards, mandolin). At home I run the group L/R outputs from my mixer to the mic inputs on the BR600, so when I go portable I can leave all my cabling in place at the house except the two inputs to the BR.
I went the USB interface to PC route, and dealing with constant latency issues when monitoring multiple tracks and laying down a new one finally drove me to abandon it for a solution that turned out to be just what I needed.
The last 150 gear demo soundclips I have in my sig were done with the Boss BR6, and most of the "original music" as well (not the 1st 2 tracks). All using the internal mic too. Great sound for the price.
Guitar Slinger6
08-22-2008, 06:49 PM
Guitar Slinger6 - I listened to your tunes. Was Amazing Grace done using the BR-1600. What did you use to record the guitar the COSM effects or a microphone. I really like that tune. Was it unmastered as well?
Amazing Grace was my first song I did on the BR1600 (my first song in over 10 years). I don't use the COSM except on the bass and vocal parts. I miced my amp with two mics. One about 1" from the outer rim of the speaker and about 1' away (SM57). The second was about 1 foot away off to the left (SM58). I did not use the master feature.
Well the preamps in the Tascam are too weak by themselves. However, if you pick up a tube preamp (I got a behringer mic100 for 40$) the thing sounds amazing. You could get along without another separate preamp, but for my needs a preamp really helps. Otherwise, the Tascam is super easy to use from recording to mastering. The guitar amp models are not very good for my tastes, but the vocal effects are good. By the way, the build in reverb is very good.
Thanks-what about a separate preamp for a Boss BR-600, is it necessary? I am leaning towards this model now, seems to have what I need for the simple type of recording I'll be doing. I will probably use a Shure SM57 for micing my Traynor amp.
Silly question, but can you plug your guitar right into the BR-600, and then add a pair of active monitors through the RCA inputs and listen to your guitar this way while you record, essentially bypassing the amp altogether (not that I would want to do that, but at times it might be useful).
Old Fuzzface
08-23-2008, 07:17 AM
Thanks-what about a separate preamp for a Boss BR-600, is it necessary? I am leaning towards this model now, seems to have what I need for the simple type of recording I'll be doing. I will probably use a Shure SM57 for micing my Traynor amp.
Silly question, but can you plug your guitar right into the BR-600, and then add a pair of active monitors through the RCA inputs and listen to your guitar this way while you record, essentially bypassing the amp altogether (not that I would want to do that, but at times it might be useful).
There's a line-in on the BR-600 so I guess you can use any pre-amp. I don't think one is necessary. I just run mics straight into the BR and they sound OK to me. The built-in mics are actually very good and could be all that's needed sometimes.
Yes, if you hook up the BR main outs to a monitoring setup you can plug your guitar direct into the BR and that's all you need (if you don't mind the internal COSM amp models). I prefer monitoring like this to using phones, although for mic sources the cans have to be used and the monitors killed to avoid feedback.
There's a line-in on the BR-600 so I guess you can use any pre-amp. I don't think one is necessary. I just run mics straight into the BR and they sound OK to me. The built-in mics are actually very good and could be all that's needed sometimes.
Yes, if you hook up the BR main outs to a monitoring setup you can plug your guitar direct into the BR and that's all you need (if you don't mind the internal COSM amp models). I prefer monitoring like this to using phones, although for mic sources the cans have to be used and the monitors killed to avoid feedback.
OK, that clarifies some things then, thanks. If you use the internal mics, should the unit be located fairly close to the guitar amp then, like a traditional mic would be?
Old Fuzzface
08-23-2008, 11:47 AM
OK, that clarifies some things then, thanks. If you use the internal mics, should the unit be located fairly close to the guitar amp then, like a traditional mic would be?
No, they're condensors so you're best using them at a distance from your source if it's loud like a guitar amp.
I mainly use them for idea jotting with an acoustic (which can sound pretty good with a bit of careful positioning) or the other way I've used them is to place the BR in the middle of a rehearsal space and let the built-ins record everything. Again, for a "rough" recording this can sound pretty good.
If you want to record your amp it's probably best to use your SM57 as a close mic.
No, they're condensors so you're best using them at a distance from your source if it's loud like a guitar amp.
I mainly use them for idea jotting with an acoustic (which can sound pretty good with a bit of careful positioning) or the other way I've used them is to place the BR in the middle of a rehearsal space and let the built-ins record everything. Again, for a "rough" recording this can sound pretty good.
If you want to record your amp it's probably best to use your SM57 as a close mic.
OK, sounds great, thanks for the clarity. I've learned some things here today for sure
Anyone know if the current Boss BR-600 units are the same as the ones made a couple of years ago? Any upgrades new ones would have? Thanks.
RustyAxe
08-24-2008, 05:12 PM
Anyone know if the current Boss BR-600 units are the same as the ones made a couple of years ago? Any upgrades new ones would have? Thanks.Not that I know of ... there's not much to upgrade, anyway, they were pretty good right out of the gate.
Not that I know of ... there's not much to upgrade, anyway, they were pretty good right out of the gate.
Thanks Rusty, that's what I thought. I know Boss mentioned they have a 2.0 version of their BR900cd, I think they upgraded the COSM models or something, just wondered if they did that with the 600, but I never saw mention of it on their site.
SInce HC has been out of order for me, I've really found this site/forum quite helpful. Lots of noob questions I'll save for the future.:BEER
fuzzyguitars
08-24-2008, 05:56 PM
You can download the updates and upgrde the software very easily
RustyAxe
08-25-2008, 07:54 AM
You can download the updates and upgrde the software very easily
There are no firmware upgrades for the BR600 ... none. There are two computer utilities (both available in PC and Mac versions), though. One converts the native Boss audio file format to WAV files, which then allows one to import into any audio editing program. I use Cubase. The second is a rhythm editor for the computer. Here's the links ...
http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=753&tab=downloads&skip=true
Thanks to all, I just bought a mint, almost unused BR-600 for $240. Should be a fun gadget to get me started.
kselbee
08-27-2008, 06:22 AM
Thanks to all, I just bought a mint, almost unused BR-600 for $240. Should be a fun gadget to get me started.
Good luck... I think you'll really enjoy it. It's the most productive recording tool I've ever used. And as a side note, does anyone else think it's about time for Boss to upgrade their line of recorders? Maybe winter NAMM?
social_piranha
02-28-2009, 07:23 AM
How does this machine work as a room recorder? I'd like to find a machine I can use to record our jams with ok quality. Does anybody have any samples of BR600 recordins using the internal mic in a jam room????
squeally dan
03-03-2009, 06:04 PM
I have a boss unit, and I stil lcan't figure out how to program the drums. Can anyone help?
squeally dan
03-25-2009, 08:05 AM
ANyone else use the Boss unit w/ bult in drums? I can't get my drums programmed.
cottoneyedjoe
03-28-2009, 05:48 AM
BR-1600.
Use it for all of my interviews and mobile production.
I also use it to record bluegrass/acoustic groups. Works great. Solid recorder.
scorpio
03-28-2009, 10:16 AM
Good luck... I think you'll really enjoy it. It's the most productive recording tool I've ever used. And as a side note, does anyone else think it's about time for Boss to upgrade their line of recorders? Maybe winter NAMM?
I have a BR1600 and like it a lot. It will really do a lot. Has many more features than I can actually use. I actually thought Boss would have replaced it a couple of years ago. It may be that they are having a hard time coming up with anything to top it.
plexistack
03-28-2009, 10:22 AM
The new versions are more user friendly, especially when it comes to programming the drum machine.
kselbee
03-29-2009, 11:45 AM
ANyone else use the Boss unit w/ bult in drums? I can't get my drums programmed.
I've used the internal drums extensively. If you can post some questions I can do my best to answer them.
I've had my BR-1600CD for about a month now and I have to say the learning curve is very short and the quality is outstanding.
The owners manual is logical and well written and after reading through it and doing a few recordings it's pretty intuitive to use. I doubt I'll ever use all the options on this recorder but it's nice to know they're there.
If you have any questions at all about the BR-1600 check out the forum at http://www.takeforum.com/forum/index.php?mforum=br1600cd
I have a perfect working Made in Japan Roland VS840 upgraded to HDD. However, I find myself using analog mostly these days so will be selling the Roland for any reasonable offer. Will probably be putting it in the classifieds here soon.
bulldog25
03-29-2009, 11:30 PM
I have the BR600 - its like 300 horse power cassette deck! The mastering function with three band compression etc. is pretty dog gone fancy for a little piece of gear. Has more functions than the entry level software without the latency issues.
Use it mainly for the band - rehearsals and live shows with the built in mics. For producing CD's we hire a pro.
squeally dan
03-31-2009, 09:05 AM
I've used the internal drums extensively. If you can post some questions I can do my best to answer them.
I have had a hard time programming the drums. I have an older model so that may be part of it. It seems like I end up with blank space or can't get it to change to a ride or Etc. when I want it to.
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