Dave: Thanks for that note. I'll lay off the reverb button.

Will: While using the DAW-equipped computer is by far the most popular way to record and process audio today, there is a small but enthusiastic sector, many but not all of whom are older folks, who, for a variety of reasons, prefer to create with the dedicated multi-track digital recorder. There are a few brands available, but the two most used are Tascam and Zoom, both based in Japan. Portability is one desirable feature. The manufacturers tend to miniaturize. The model that really kicked off the bedroom home studio trend was the Tascam 8-track PortaStudio, which squeezed an amazing 8 (admittedly low fidelity) tracks into then-popular cassettes.
The advent of digital recording was a giant step forward, not lost on portable recorder manufacturers. I've been using the Tascam DP-30-SD for maybe 15+ years.
During that time, Tascam, still a great manufacturer, has lagged behind Zoom in what's called "computer compatibility," meaning the ability to exchange data with the computer, which, after all, houses the DAW, another giant step forward for home producers. The trend is to record the tracks, then send them to the computer for post-production. A plus is that it allows me to transfer the six rendered Band-in-a-Box backing tracks directly to the recorder, permitting me to emphasize the great real track work of Brent Mason and John Jarvis. This will be important in the future as Real Tracks continue to grow.
My ol' DP-30 continues to crank out the tracks, but time marches on. It has become limited in the amount of usable SD Card storage and lacks compatibility with Windows 10. Mind you, I am talking about an obsolete model. Tascam has issued models that address the concerns I mentioned. The Model 12 is apparently quite good, though some have advised waiting a bit on that one. Incidentally, the warnings of a steep learning curve did not materialize, in use. The learning curve may apply to people who have never used the technology.
I haven't achieved studio quality and, frankly, don't expect to, in spite of some of the amazing work we see daily on this forum that shows it can be done.
Finally, the help and advice given by members of this forum by way of private messaging were the deciding factors in my choosing the $399 R-16. Another good reason to stick around.

Link: www.soundcloud.com/ed_shaw (Feel Free to Use)
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Biab for WIN 2020 -- Win 10 64bit -- Reaper/Audacity
Zoom R-16 -- Tascam DP-03-SD -- SoundTap -- Crescendo --