<<< Why did I say forgotten? Because many digital recorders sold in the 2000's had that functionality including the Zoom MRS series, TASCAM 2488 and Boss BR series. >>>

They were not forgotten but instead, evolved beyond. I think research found those features unused and other devices were developed with far better features and capability to handle midi. A feature found on some models is the inclusion of a jack to accept a foot switch to control transport functions.

That all manufacturers jointly dropped midi is evidence it was obsolete to how the recorders were ultimately used by the greater majority of users. Every digital recorder, even the cheapest models, have stereo or 2 mono input that accepts line level audio output from keyboards, drum machines, effects machines and computers where midi manipulation is better suited.

EDIT: Here's a claim I can speculate about a digital stand alone recorder that separates it from every other music tech advance post 1970: Put a modern Tascam DP-24 in the hands of George Martin and the Beatles or Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys/wrecking crew in 1967 and give them only two hours to learn the physical operation and controls, and in the third hour that followed, the DP-24 would be connected and the artists would be making music beyond anything they could create with the existing technology of that day. Stand alone recorders are the only technology and medium that bridges the technology across the entire span of musical multi track recording from the late 50's - early 60's to today. Because it is completely a self-contained operating system that's not dependent on any other exterior connections than the physical audio connections, the OS technology would have worked just fine in 1967. From an operational standpoint, the terminology, physical connections, dials, buttons and faders would be familiar to the engineers, producers and artists back then. The physical audio connections were compatible. What I'm saying is if it were possible, a Tascam (or similar) digital stand alone recorder could directly replace the Ampeg 4 track 2" reel to Reel recorder in Abby Road Studios with a 24 track digital recorder in 1967 and every internal and external connection with he exception of USB and other operations specific to computer communication would work. From a tracking perspective, any lower end 4 track models with compatible connections could replace the tape machine.

Both keyboards and synthesizers technologies existed in this time period and were integrated and utilized in major studio recording by major artists like the Beatles and Beach Boys. Digital recorders did not exist so I suggest and think digital recorders, rather than DAW's, keyboards and synthesizers, are the greatest advance spanning the entire musical multi track existence. It is the single medium that would integrate and work in the same manner today.


Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 01/13/20 03:01 AM.
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