Digital and Analog Audio Recording Tips, Studio Equipment and Discussion for Mixing and Mastering in the Home Recording Studio.

Studio Equipment

Boss BR-532 Multi-Track Recorder
: 2 - : 0 - Total Reviews: 2
[ You must be logged in to rate products ]
Ease of Use:		8.5 out of 10
Quality:		8 out of 10
Value:		8 out of 10
Average Rating:		8.17 out of 10
It's the digital breakthrough you've been waiting for. Four basic tracks, each with eight virtual tracks. A separate stereo drum machine that plays back in addition to all four tracks, sophisticated digital editing, and onboard insert/loop effects such as COSM amp modeling and bass simulator make this a full-range, working studio. Records to an included 32MB SmartMedia card, expandable to 128MB. Super-intuitive interface is as easy to use as a cassette machine (with no time wasted on rewind). Flexible I/O options include Hi-Z, XLR, and 1/4" mic inputs, plus stereo RCA ins. Digital mastering out, built-in mic, and battery power.

HRC Member Reviews:

Review from TallChap
Ease of Use: 9 out of 10
Quality: 8 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10
Comments: Great package for a small price. Most COSM effects are usable, and all are editable, and some are quite nice sounding. It would be nice to be able to choose the effects for the "SIM" recording (basically put in for Guitar+Mic recording). That way there would be multiple input capabilities. There are some complete unusable patches (even with tweaking), but they are made up by the others. I've found that unless you use the highest fidelity recoding, with a 128MB card, you get some unwanted noise and a full card. The drum patterns are relatively good, and a little practice and trial and error goes a long way. I also like the ability to cut/copy/paste to save card space, and the midi option is good. I'd liked to have see PC interface ability.

Review from GuitarLord
Ease of Use: 8 out of 10
Quality: 8 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10
Comments: This is a very good recorder for someone who is just starting out recording. A four tracker with quite a few "virtual" tracks, it is enough to record and mix down (with a bounce feature) an adequate song. The effects and COSM amp modeling are delicious and fairly tweakable. However, the drum looper leaves a lot to be desired and is difficult to get the hang of. If you have some editing software, you can get a LOT more out of this machine. You can utilize all 40 tracks to record on (without having to bounce) and mix them using your editing software. You get the ease of a multitracker (my opinion, of course), with the power of computer software. All in all, it is a very nice beginner recorder that is easy to use and has some extremely nice built in effects. What you do with it after that is up to your imagination!