I am interested in getting a Korg SOS multi-track recorder.

Her is a link to some Korg SOS (Sound on Sound) demos:

http://www.korg.com/mediaplayer.aspx?md=4415&pd=566

Although I click on the "Computer Integration" link, the site seems to default to the "Loops" demo. If you could indulge me by clicking over to the the "Computer Integration" link, I would be most appreciative.

Can someone tell me what software they use in this demo, or what else I can use? (I am PC not a MAC)

Thank you.

Hi StratoBobster!

Sorry to tell you but there's no DAW included in the SOS. They do allow you to download a conversion/CD-burning program for your computer though.

If you're starting out and need a DAW to mix the tracks you created withing the SOS, you have several cheap to free choices.

Audacity (free), great tool and fairly easy to use.
CoolEdit Pro (free), good thing but may be out of date (like me!)
N-Track is another free one you should check out. (might also be out of date)

What you do is get a card reader and transfer the files from the chip of the SOS to your comp, then go ahead editing and mixing withing your Digital Audio Workstation.

Some dealers may chuck in a version of Steinberg's Cubase (usually a working but limited one) for free, I don't know how it is where you are. Check it out. It's not the easiest software to work with out there.

Although as a tip I'd say start with Audacity and see how it goes. Should your comp have issues with sound reproduction (lags, glitches, etc.), try the free Asio-driver called Asio4all. It usually does the trick.

Anymore questions - just ask.

Feel better?

Cheers!

-Nutter

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I started out with nothing, and still have most of it.

Hi Strat.

He is using Protools in the Demo. Its definately not Free as in the examples Nutter Posted but it is a great program. You can get the LE version for about 300 with an MBox mini.

it does work with both Mac and PC. I use it with PC but i have an old 001 interface so i'm stuck having to use version 6 and they're now up to v8. However i just use it for tracking and when we need to mix we take it in to one of the bigger setups at work.

Wow. What great information. Thank you both.

I would love to get the Protools software, but will have to wait on it at $300.

How about the Korg SOS...are you guys impressed with the device, or is it just me as a complete newbie being easily swayed?

It depends on what you need it to do, if you are buying it soley for being able to record with and you already have your effects (if you use them) covered, you may want to consider a software solution. PTLE does come with a version of Eleven so you do get some amp modeling stuff with it. Unless of course portability with your recording is your need... that's something to consider. If you need it more as part of your signal chain and its recording capability is secondary then I'd certainly try it out and consider it.

I hope that helps a bit... i'm really not one to offer advice... i'm livin' la vida broka so i try to avoid offering tips that may cost money.

Korg Sound on Sound Handheld Recorder Features at a Glance:

•Pocket-sized, portable, and battery powered

•Multitrack recorder provides on-board rhythms, effects, and an infinite number of overdubs

•Built-in speaker

•Internal stereo mic

•Unlimited undo/redo

•Loop recording

•Sound Stretch — adjust the playback speed without changing the pitch

•100 on-board effects powered by Korg's proprietary REMS technology

•Record along to 50 preset rhythm patterns, covering a broad variety of styles

•Record and save up to 200 songs in WAV format

•High-performance guitar, bass, and chromatic tuners are built in

•Guitar, Line-in, and Mic inputs

•Records up to ten hours on a pair of AA batteries

•Wedge-shaped design for easy use as a hand-held recorder or on a desktop

•Korg Audio Utility software provides format conversion and audio CD creation, downloadable free from Korg.com

______________________

Korg's proprietary REMS technology is the same as featured in their high end synths.

If you're looking for a small stand alone unit, this might work for you.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

hi stratobobster,

I both experience as a sound engineer and familiar with these type of devices and the daw.

I can tell you that the software used is indeed protools and the rig is older with yamamha monitor which are classic for their flat response are so old that they are not powered and havent been in production for about a decade.

(tells you something about that daw and rig)

since then there are alot of daws available -all are good -garageband, logic, cubase, nuendo, deck, vegas will all do the job with the know how.

so the more complex the software - the higher the learning curve to simply chain a record imput 'virtually' onto a 'virtual' multitrack recorder.

simple is best for beginners- if you start with something like deck (mac) or vegas- or logic/other- you will probably be better off if your not 'very' computer savy and an aspiring sound engineering mixdown phenom.

since you admit you are in unfamiliar water here, I can suggest something since I can safely assume that you'd like to record and edit on the computer.

the korg is cute and has some 'neato' features -but to edit or mix on is not a feature nor it's designed intention- it has effects -and modeling = it is basically for a musicain whom is on the road and is putting general ideas down without carring a computer and alot of equiptment.

if you just want to record with something- and connect direct to the computer via usb- you can use a digital mini- recorder- which is easiiy purchased at your local radio shack. it's record quality would be best with out the extenal mic but using a pin or 8th inch connector from your amp or effect unit will give control over the level not to go into distortion when recording.- I wouldn't rule out using a plug in mic or onboard one as it may add a nice recording to layer into your work.

=important- mini digital usb recorder aka'dictaphone' record single tracks in usually stereo thesedays. you would not be able to multitrack or overdub when recording -just a series of solo recordings- which then could be loaded easily onto your pc. for multitracking on your daw of choice and mixdown.

the korgs that have a jog wheel to do wave editing are better choices and more money but maybe an option to look into as an alternative. sometimes daws and computer work can over -complicate what you intended to do.

multitrack recorders (better upper level units then the sos are great investments) all software gets outdated and computers fail in the os. a dedicated system like a multitrack recorder is recommended over the daw- mini- thing due to the benefits of freedom from other software programs running in the background -creating an unsavory enviroment to record or mix in -while having inherent independent controls/ functions , input/output ports and features you would try to add to a pc along with software. software is really a preference but is eaier to be influenced by due to media and buzz like 'protools' labels sound. The point I trying at is its' not the what you use that will generate a good or great mix or recording - but the person- the quality of the imputed signal the levels and that rendering by the dac's used.

a 300 unit will not have as good dac's as a means to record to software vs. a digital station that is similarly priced at say 500 more/less which includes everything but the cd burner.

tasca,. roland, yamaha, boss, other sony= are manufacturers of these things I can look for a device -comperable to the price of the sos if there is such a thing- and post again. just my thoughts -

Ok... though i agree with your entire post... i just need to nitpick a little. I would not make that assumption on the dudes gear based off the fact that he is using NS-10s. People still use those. Looks to me like he is using PT HD version 8 and based on the fact that the OS looks like Snow Leapord, he couldn't possibly be on version 6 and I'm pretty certain 7 won't run on Snow Leapord. Ok... i'll go back to work now.... the title of the post was calling out to geeks so i guess i had to get a bit geeky didn't I. Don't take it the wrong way.

good one nc,

those monitor and Hd system were never what they were made up to be - ns 10's are what they are- old. drivers wear out tear and breakdown from use, to use an amp to power these and not add noise to the rig somewhere is not so much a shielded issue than 'it is old technologhy' issue.

geeky tech talk is not my thing, but I hear you- if it isn't broken... and version 5 is what i still use.

back to the thread.

looking at what's out there:

ahem...

the sos is a good unit by comparison if not up there with other brands on the market. the only problem I have with it is that it has no direct usb connection- a sm disk is ok for storage hd but inferior way to bounce data without- a straight data link would bridge the interpolation and reinterpolation and then conversion of the audio data imo- many other units by say boss, tascam. zoom have direct usb connectivity and are very guitar friendly.

I give the sos a thumbs sideways= for okay- but not bad/not great.

You might want to check this site that only deals with HR :

http://homerecording.com/bbs/

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi again! It's cool to get a few different opinions! And for me it's cool to find some fellow engeneering folks on the board! Howdy, chaps!

So by your above post, I suggest you try just about any device by M-Audio. The FastTrack MK2 is the entry level of hardware, features two input channels, a good conversion speed and quality AND (and this is what you'll like I think ) it hast ProTools M-Powered Essentials included! M-Audio is now a part of Avid TEchnology, who also make ProTools HD and so forth - so you basically are family with their stuff.

It retails at something like 120 $ at musiciansfriend. OR, if you really want to get fancy they have a bundle I just found, with monitors, mic, mic stand, interface and cables (including the PT M-powered essentials software) for 220$. Which is a BIG bang for the buck, to my eyes, and considering the Korg SOS alone costs 224$... well you do the maths! Of course that is not the most high-end hardware this world has to offer, but M-Audio gear has never let me down and generally speaking the home-recording gear is very advanced and I would add that one could produce quite good albums with this kind of kit if one knows how to use it!

My above suggestion is based on the idea that you want to record your guitar and maybe some instruments or vocals through a microphone, and considers you maybe want to make some drum patterns inside the DAW. IS that what you're after? It's all possible.

And from an engineers point of view, I suggest you get to know ProTools. Even though Logic has become very powerful and I enjoy using it, PT is still the industry standard and a very reliable tool. (BTW PT vs. Logic is a topic as dear to the geek world as Apple vs. PC or Strat vs. Les Paul to some people. I say: whatever works for YOU. ).

Hope it helps!



-Nutter

PS: Stevie - please forgive my bad manners! I just saw you're still a tad new here so let me say welcome to the forum! Enjoy the ride - a great place!

edit1: welcome Stevie
edit2: Avid trivia. Yawn.

_________________
I started out with nothing, and still have most of it.

I used to like PT a lot, then I discovered Ableton Live. PT is the industry standard, but if you can't handle the constant upgrades, Ableton Live is a powerful DAW and worth checking out!!!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Avid versus Final Cut Pro too

Howdy to you to Mr. Nutter. PT9 is now out. Hopefully we'll see an accross the board upgrade over here though its all new hardware so probably won't happen super quickly.

Howdy Captain!

Yep recieved the newsletter this morning. I am actually pretty interested in the fact they finally made it open to non-Avid hardware... imagine that? reality caught up with Avid after all... how pleasing!

Only snag is, now there'll be a surge in piracy on their products. Shame. I paid dearly for my copies in the past. Kinda gets me when companies start going bonkers.

Anyhow. Happy days!



-Nutter

Agree Home recording bbs is a good place to get help.
.
I visit Song Crafters org for the same reason.
Lot of people doing some rather amazing things with very inexpensive recorders like the BOSS MicroBR, br-600, zooms etc. (all obsolete now and can be found at quite good prices! ) .

If you really want to try a DAW, I'd recommend you first test the waters with one of the free ones like
Audacity DAW
LMMS DAW

or Reaper DAW (not free but has a nice trial period.

Before decideing to spend cash on a full blown commercial version.

Other software of intrest might be
Hydrogen Drum sequencer
TuxGuitarNotarion and Tab reader.

Audacity, LMMS, Reaper, Hydrogen, TuxGuitar all have windows versions available that work quite well

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Keep on Truckin, Going full speed ahead down the highway to hades.