Digital Recorder help needed please.

[skydog]

I want to get a small digital recorder to use primarily for practicing (recording one or more tracks as backing and then working out the leads) and also for progress assessment. To be used for songwriting to a lesser extent. I don't need a bunch of effects that makes it manual required. something with big easy to read controls. not looking for a complicated menu driven unit. thanks for help. Let's say $500 tops hopefully less.

[syxxstring]

Do you need portability? My first recomendation would be a used Mac Mini and a USB or Firewire interface. Garageband couldn't be easier to use and the interace of your monitor is probably the easiest.
I looked at a bunch of portable recorders and couldn't stand any of the stand alone units for tiny screens and such.

[skydog]

no i don't need portablility. i have a small tape recorder that i use for quick ideas and stuff. no this will be mostly for song construction/practice use. does garageband work on a windows platform? i have no experience w/ mac.

[syxxstring]

No it's Mac native. Cakewalk used to make a program called guitar tracks thats pretty simple. It's been a while since I've used a PC.
The Mac switch to use garageband wouldn't be hard, you can play with it in the apple stores.

[Birddog]

Love my Zoom H2...the sound quality is tremendous. Use it for practice, rehearsal AND gigs.

[NB_Terry]

The Boss BR-600 is excellent for the money IMO.