Portable recorder with digital in?

[MikeMitchell]

Looking for something simple for getting ideas, with about 4 tracks that I can feed with an apogee mini me (Needs spdif input) Any ideas?
Thanks, Mike

[stirinthesauce]

how much are you willing to spend?

Lowend, edirol r4. Pick it up for just under a grand if you search around. 4 channel portable recorder spdif input. Want something nicer, the Sound Devices 744t. That will run quite a bit more.

[MikeMitchell]

I guess for that kind of cash I could just get a small laptop and say to hell with it... really hate loosing the simplicity of just hiting record though. Maybe it might be time to try out something for composing besides nuendo. Thanks for the thoughts. -mike

[celticrogues]

There is quite a bit out there if you want cheap and simple.
M-audio Microtrack is a great one, IMHO
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...der?sku=702520

Check this out for other options, many will have SPDIF input
http://www.sweetwater.com/feature/handheld_recorders/

Cheers!
-Mike

[stirinthesauce]

as celticogues stated, lots of options in the 2 channel, portable realm that won't break a budget. 4 channels portable recorders is where your price jump will be.

2 channel portable recorders with digi in off the top of my head,

m-audio microtrack
marantz pmd 671
tascam hdp2
fostex fr2
SD 722

That should be listed cheapest to most expensive.

So what is your budget, channel requirements (2, 4 or more) and portability factor (battery or ac powered, computer interface, etc.)?

[erosconpollo]

If it needn't be something you can carry around in one hand and power with batteries, you might consider a recorder like the Fostex VF80. It's still reasonably compact, has S/PDIF in, and pretty decently priced.