Anybody use the Boss Micro BR?

[enroper]

All this nice gear in my rig, and I'm lusting over a $260 glorified 4track. Details here :: Boss Micro BR Community - Boss Micro BR Review with Sound Samples

Anybody use one? It looks hella convenient for quick "sketches". Kind of pricy though I think. Any cheaper comparative alternatives you'd recommend?

[Pezz]

it rules yes.

[brianellefson]

Brings back memories. I used one for quick demos for a year and it was actually quite capable. Has some built in compression that's fairly musical. I even recorded some vox on it that ended up sounding decent. Recorded acoustic guitar most often and after you get placement right it's not bad at all.

Bottom line: good as portable idea catcher. Plus u can save as MP3s.

[carstairs]

If cost is an objection, I picked up my used Tascam DP-004 for $80 or $90 on Ebay with case, 4 GB SD card, and wall charger. It's 16 bit and I would guess the converters aren't as good, I've never tried the Boss, but it's worth checking out.

[Kbrinson85]

i own one. its a capable unit but a pain in the ass to navigate/operate. i liked my old tascam 4 track cassette better

[themixtape]

I own one, too. I like it a lot, but as Kbrinson85 wrote, it really is a pain in the ass to navigate. The wheel/cursor thing kind of blows.

So many great things in this, though..... a LOT. I thought a lot about it, and I'm glad I bought it.

it's a digital recorder (note-taker) at its simplest, and sounds great.
It's a full-blown 8-track digital recorder...
and, the coolest part... it's a full guitar and vocal (and bass) processing/effect unit. The thing even has a damn vocal harmonizer in it, and it sounds fantastic.

I love the jam tracks too (plus you can change the pitch, and tempos, too).

But... recording stuff multi-track-style... it's a pain. You have to pick a guitar patch (out of MANY)... and you have to create a new song/project every time you want to lay down an idea.... but, it's still great.

Batteries in my opinion last FOREVER in it... I used mine about 15 separate times, and the batteries are just about to die. Get some rechargeable batteries and you're golden. All it needs is two AA's.

So many options in it... one of the best parts is just being able to plug earbuds in, bring your electric to the park and jam out/write. In my opinion, it's totally worth $300. If you can get it for $260 or $250, do it. The menu just takes a while to get the hang of.... and, stupidly, the guitar plugs in on the right, and headphones go out from the left... that's backwards... should be, plug guitar in on left... headphones on right (then again, I'm lefty).

Anyway... hope that helps.

PS - I think it's cool you're in the Philly burbs... I don't see too many people on this site from the area. I'm in Ft. Wash/Ambler.

[Pezz]

Originally Posted by themixtape

I own one, too. I like it a lot, but as Kbrinson85 wrote, it really is a pain in the ass to navigate. The wheel/cursor thing kind of blows.

So many great things in this, though..... a LOT. I thought a lot about it, and I'm glad I bought it.

it's a digital recorder (note-taker) at its simplest, and sounds great.
It's a full-blown 8-track digital recorder...
and, the coolest part... it's a full guitar and vocal (and bass) processing/effect unit. The thing even has a damn vocal harmonizer in it, and it sounds fantastic.

I love the jam tracks too (plus you can change the pitch, and tempos, too).

But... recording stuff multi-track-style... it's a pain. You have to pick a guitar patch (out of MANY)... and you have to create a new song/project every time you want to lay down an idea.... but, it's still great.

Batteries in my opinion last FOREVER in it... I used mine about 15 separate times, and the batteries are just about to die. Get some rechargeable batteries and you're golden. All it needs is two AA's.

So many options in it... one of the best parts is just being able to plug earbuds in, bring your electric to the park and jam out/write. In my opinion, it's totally worth $300. If you can get it for $260 or $250, do it. The menu just takes a while to get the hang of.... and, stupidly, the guitar plugs in on the right, and headphones go out from the left... that's backwards... should be, plug guitar in on left... headphones on right (then again, I'm lefty).

Anyway... hope that helps.

PS - I think it's cool you're in the Philly burbs... I don't see too many people on this site from the area. I'm in Ft. Wash/Ambler.

your talking about the new br-80 i think as my basic micro br doesnt have the vocal harmoniser

[mutetourettes]

i too had the micro-BR, seduced by the reviews/specs - but also found it a huge pain in the ass to actually use, so i sold it on...

nothing beats a 4-track tape... er... except for sound quality

[Pezz]

it is pretty fiddly to use but persistence pays off. it is actually capable of making a very professional sounding recording/master