PG Music Home Forums PG Music Product Forums Band-in-a-Box for Windows New Poll. What's your choice of DAW?Really looking for that one that just makes workflow easy.

<<< Different tools for different jobs. ...I seem to spend more time sometimes trying to recover or fix something, or make something work the way I want it to....I'm thinking of converting to something that claims to be more stable.
Interested in feedback...>>>

Feedback is simple. The solution to each of those issues and more is simple.

A stand alone multitrack recorder will do all of that and much more. Doesn't have the glamor and glitz of a brand name DAW to brag about but starting from scratch, one can be recording a song before a DAW can process through start up and be armed to record.

You get the benefit of a multi track recorder that includes a proprietary DAW software designed not to crash the system due to memory being overtaxed. The software gives you all the basics of good plug ins to do a project from start to finish without the aid of a computer or external DAW program while retaining the ability to easily and quickly have access to your favorite or least favorite DAW if you wish. Some Multitrack recorders are also audio interfaces and controllers if that is the workflow you desire.

But to address your specific issues stated above, there is not much of a learning curve as the OS systems mostly migrate similar in features and techniques between models and brands. This means if you start with a basic, low cost unit and upgrade to a better quality more full featured unit, they will operate similarly. For instance, there is only minor differences between operating a Zoom H1,H5,H6 or R8. The same for Tascam units.

Stability is rock solid. Period. I have never had a crash with my multi track recorders. Years of faultless service. I have owned or still own Zoom r16, r24, H1, and still own an H5. Never a crash with any of them. I had Tascam Porta Studios, DP004, 2488neo MarkII and DP-24 without any failures.

Some multi tracks are better suited for the home studio environment than others. I have found the Tascam DP-24/32 series to be the most full featured for studios and also the easiest to navigate. I prefer the DP-24 over the DP-32 simply because the additional tracks and features of the DP-32 don't justify the cost difference.

This market is evolving and there are many new units being introduced that focus on home studios and bear consideration. To retain using a DAW, many brands offer mixers with USB connection and also audio interface capability. Others may also include control capability or both. But there's a new generation of digital stand alone multitrack that record 12, 24, 32 or more tracks in the same manner as the current DP-32, Zoom r24 series of multitracks and record the individual tracks and a stereo mix in the unit itself but also function as a live mixer, USB connectivity and multitrack audio interface. Presonus AR series, Studiolive series and the new Tascam 24 are examples. Higher end digital mixers by Yamaha, Allen & Heath and Behringer have DAW mode and multitrack audio interface and have pro grade digital effects.

Behringer units are interesting because they have stage head units that are controlled wirelessly/wired by tables in 12,16 and 18 input units and also a desktop unit that all share the same OS and features that is also the same OS and features of the X32 line. Learn one OS and you can operate their entire line of mixer/recorders.

None of these stand alone or hybrid mixer/interfaces have near the learning curve of even the most basic DAW but each and everyone of them will connect in some way with your favorite DAW if that's what you want to do. None of these units require complex setup and configuration.