A lot of multitrack recorders bill themselves as "self-contained studios," but we've yet to see one that comes with its own recording engineer packed in the box. So it goes without saying that a multitrack recorder should be easy to use. You're a musician and songwriter who needs to make full-band demos, and you want to track your band as cleanly, quickly, and reliably as possible. The Boss BR-1600CD is a streamlined, high-quality digital multitrack recorder that knows what you want it to do, and helps you do exactly that, without a clunky interface or unnecessary features. It was designed to help you go from inspiration to a physical copy of your music on audio CD with your original inspiration intact. In short, it's the perfect full-band demo machine.
Full-Band Recording with 8 Mic Preamps
So what makes the perfect full-band demo machine? Firstly, you're going to need enough inputs. Drums are the biggest input hog, usually requiring a minimum of three mics for proper tracking. The BR-1600CD offers 8 simultaneous channels of recording, so you'll be able to get your drums down cleanly and still have plenty of channels to spare. On some digital multitrackers, most inputs are 1/4-inch jacks, with only a couple of XLR connections. But on the Boss unit, each input is an XLR-equipped mic preamp -- so you can record 8 microphones without routing them through outboard mic preamps first, simplifying your setup. (And of course, every channel accepts a 1/4-inch line-level input as well.)
The BOSS Guided Tour To Recording
With everything hooked up and mics placed, simply turn on your BR-1600CD and the unit will guide you through every step of the recording process. Assign your inputs to recording channels, hit record and start playing. It's that easy. Once you've laid down your initial 8 tracks, you've still got an additional 8 channels on which to layer overdubs, or even bounce to free up more tracks for recording; the Boss BR-1600CD provides feedback and instruction via its brightly backlit LCD screen, making every function easy to understand and execute. With a hefty 40GB hard drive as its recording medium, the BR-1600CD not only handles 16 tracks of simultaneous audio, but it also allows for 16 virtual tracks per channel -- so you can swap in alternate takes or do-overs without losing the original. Boss takes the stress out of the recording process, so you can focus on the performance and the song. Want more proof that the 1600 is easy to use? Boss' TurboStart guide, which steps you through "naming your song" to "burning an Audio CD," is exactly two pages long.
Streamlined, but Feature-Rich
While you want to get your songs down as soon as inspiration strikes, you still want your demos to sound as good as possible. That's why the BR-1600CD records CD-quality digital audio at 44.1 kHz, 16-bit resolution. It's also why this Boss multitracker comes with a suite of effects and digital processing tools for adding a bit of polish to your raw recordings -- and if anyone knows digital effects, it's Boss, makers of some of the most popular stompbox effects in the world. A dedicated Hi-Z input jack lets you record guitar and bass directly, and also lets you take advantage of Boss's renowned COSM-powered amp and cabinet modeling. Even if you don't have the most acoustically perfect space, your tracks will still sound studio huge -- just another way the BR-1600 makes streamlines the tracking process. Don't have your own band yet? No problem: the 1600 has a built-in drum machine and bass loops. There's even vocal pitch correction, harmonizing effects, and easy-to-understand mastering effects to make your finished product sound its best, with minimal hassle. When you're happy with the sound, just use the recorder's built-in CD burner to make an audio CD of your music that will play in any CD player. It's still the most convenient and universal medium for distributing your music to family, fans, and booking agents.
Your demo is a very special recording. Fewer folks may hear it, but in many ways it's an even more important document of your band than a publicly released album. Track them with a recorder that was specifically designed to make the highest-quality demos, with the least amount of effort: the Boss BR-1600CD.
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Tracks Tracks: 16 V-Tracks: 256 (16 V-Tracks per each Track) * Up to 8 tracks can be recorded simultaneously, and up to 16 tracks can be played back simultaneously.
Maximum Useful Capacity / Recording Time Internal Hard Disk: 40 G bytes Recording Time: 120 hours (conversion in one track) * The recording times shown above are approximate. Times may vary depending on the number of songs and size of imported loop phrase that were created. * The recording time s shown are the total for all tracks used. Therefore, if each of the sixteen tracks contain an equal amount of data, the length of the resulting song will be approximately 1/16 of the time shown.
Output Impedance Line Out Jack: 2 kOhms Phones 1, 2 Jack: 100 Ohms
Recommended Load Impedance Line Out Jack: 20 kOhms or greater Phones 1, 2 jack: 8-50 Ohms
Residual Noise Level Line Out Jack: -90 dBu or less (Input Select: Guitar/Bass, input terminated with 1 kOhm, Input Sens: Center, IHF-A, typ.)
Interface Digital In: S/PDIF 16-24 bit (coaxial type) Digital Out: S/PDIF 16-24 bit (coaxial type) USB connecter (B type)
Display 130 x 36 mm (Backlit LCD)
Connectors MIDI In connector MIDI Out connector USB connector Digital In connector: Coaxial type Digital Out connector: Coaxial type) Foot SW Jack: 1/4 inch phone type Exp Pedal Jack: Stereo 1/4 in. phone type Line Out Jacks: RCA Phono type Input 1-8 Jacks: Unbalanced, 1/4 in. phone type Mic 1-8 Jacks: XLR balanced Phones 1 Jack: Stereo 1/4 in. phone type Phones 2 Jack: Stereo 1/4 in. phone type Guitar/Bass Jack: 1/4 in. phone type
Power Supply DC 12 V; AC Adaptor (Roland PSB-3U)
Power Consumption 3 A
Physical Dimensions 19-1/2 (W) x 13-3/8 (D) x 3-15/16 (H) inches / 494 (W) x 339 (D) x 99 (H) mm Weight: 10 lbs 13 oz / 4.9 kg (Excluding AC Adaptor)
Included Accessories AC Adaptor: PSB-3U Owner's Manual Effect Patch List Discrete Drums (CD-ROM)
The BR-1600CD Digital Recording Studio combines Boss' famous, easy-to-use interface with eight XLR inputs for recording eight tracks simultaneously. This affordable 16-track recorder comes loaded with effects for guitars and vocals;including COSM Overdrive/Distortion, Amp Modeling and a new Vocal Tool Boxplus convenient PCM drum and bass tracks, a 40GB hard drive, CD-R/RW drive and USB port. It's the perfect way to record your band.
What's New in Version 2
BOSS's BR-1600CD 16-track recorder, the most popular and full-featured portable 16-track on the market, expands with a Version 2 upgrade. Already powerful with its eight XLR inputs for simultaneous recording, pro-grade effects, and backing tracks, the BR-1600CD with Version 2 upgrade (free for all previous BR-1600 units) improves and adds to the existing effects, including COSM bass amp models from the GT-6B, enhanced vocal tools, MIDI sync capability, and more. Also new to Version 2 -- the BR-1600CD can read BR-1200CD/1180CD song data, no conversion process necessary.
Features:
* 16-track (256 V-Track) digital studio with 40GB hard drive and CD-R/RW drive
* Record all 8 XLR inputs simultaneously, ideal for tracking live performances
* Powerful onboard effects including COSM modeling for guitar, bass and microphones
* New Vocal Tool Box with auto pitch correction and Harmony Sequence function
* 16 individual Track EQs, plus 8 dedicated compressors
* Mastering Tool Kit with multi-band compression for loud and punchy CDs
* Create backing tracks quickly with new Drum/Bass and Loop Phrase tracks
* Step and realtime sequencer, plus automatic tempo mapping for imported loops
* USB port for easy data exchange, plus V-LINK video control (V-LINK requires Ediorl DV7-PR with software version 1.50 or higher).
* COSM models added (derived from BOSS's GT-6B)
* Enhanced Vocal Tool Box for better vocals and backings
* MIDI Slave capable for control from external MIDI devices
* BR-1180CD/1200CD data compatible
Optional Studio Package Contents
1 x Hosa CPA203 Dual RCA To Dual RCA Cable (9.75 Foot)
1 x RaXXess Stoppit Microphone Pop Filter/Popper Stopper
1 x OnStage 7701B Tripod Boom Mic Stand
1 x Whirlwind MC20 XLR Microphone Cable (20 Foot)
2 x KRK RP5G2 Rokit Powered Two Way Active Monitor
1 x Audio-Technica AT2020 Side Address Studio Microphone
1 x Memorex CDR80 50-Pack Spindle (52x, 700MB)
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
"Live it up.......Mix it down!"
Sound:
It makes me sound good! Amazing variety of sounds can be produced. I can set up Fleetwood Mac for instance and track acoustic guitar and electric guitar to razor sharp vintage Mac sound. Then, flip to say, James Taylor pre-set and be ready to record acoustically.
Feature:
After 42 years of playing, I find myself reverting back to clean and smooth settings for jams and improvisational sessions so there are more gimmicks than I'll ever need.
Quality:
Exterior could have been beefed up with heavier impact resistant shell and all buttons, faders and dials should be recessed.
Value:
8 inputs make this unit a winner.
Manufacturer Support:
Roland/Boss is world class. They are very musician-oriented.
The Wow Factor:
Yeah, it's cool.
Overall:
Being from the old school of tubes and analog, I'm sure that this will carry us for a long time. When I can play this thing like my Tele, I'll be in a better situation to compare it to other recording units.
Style of Music: All, Working on new genre: country/jazz. Think "Folsom Prison" with dim. 7ths.
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Everything you need in one sweet package!"
Sound:
Easy to make a great sounding CD of your music.
Feature:
Amazing range of features... effects, speaker and mic modeling, and drum/bass/loop phrase programming.
Ease of Use:
Easy to use right out of the box. Fast learning curve.
Quality:
Boss has always meant quality. A great product.
Value:
You get a LOT for your money with this recorder.
Manufacturer Support:
Courteous, knowledgeable customer support. Thankfully, never nneded them for equipment problems... just general operation questions.
The Wow Factor:
It does everything I need... in one, portable package. No need for multiple accessories and add-ons, or extra software.
Overall:
This is an amazing all-in-one unit! Forget all the computer nerd knowledge requirements of computer based recording, along with the all too frequent system crashes. This is the way to go!
Style of Music: Rock
62 of 63 people
(98.41%) found this review helpful. Did you?
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