TASCAM MODEL 24 vs ZOOM LIVETRAK L-20

I began my foray in audio on a Boss BR-900CD recorder. It had nine faders, two inputs, a bright orange screen and a scroll wheel. Many a memorable tune was produced on that little box, despite its limitations in comparison to what I’m now used to with a DAW-based rig.

Yes, my computer-centric setup gives me numerous channels of high-quality preamplification into pristine conversion, which the Boss did not. With DSP on my interface I have the choice to compress, EQ and saturate incoming audio to my heart’s content. The whole thing is contained in a roadworthy 4U rack. As far as sonic quality goes, it does the job every time, and then some.

But there’s just something that little Boss unit did for me that my schmancy DAW rig can’t touch. There’s something about not having a gazillion options that made me focus on what’s important while saving me a lot of time. Recording was often more spontaneous and less complicated. No computer restarts or software updates, no menu diving, plug-in list scrolling or I/O configuration. Just stick in the inputs and hit record.

TURN OF THE TIDE

Since in-the-box recording became mainstream, naturally the market underwent a drought of these all-in-one recorder-type products. Until now.