Ultra modern, all in one...everything. Hardware! No more problems.

[Grizzellda]

So I am a little older over here but I won't say how much!

But I do remember, from about 1996 or so, these all in one studios for home audio production were being developed. Like the Roland VS -880, Yamaha AW16.

What about an ultra modern version of something like this?? All the power of a modern computer without the complexity. Maybe something as physically big as a 24 track mixer, but with all the latest stuff built in, no computer necessary. That would be awesome! But Noooooo...

Wait!!! The display will never be big enough...so just forget it.

[lfm]

Tascam Model 12, 16 or 24 have decent preamps and quite cool.
- only thing I missed from when I looked, was an automation system for volume for the tracks
- looked at going dawless for a bit

Yes, display is small, but place a 11" tablet on a stand so that camera of it enlarge Tascam display for you!!!!

After I had my business properly up and running beginning millenium, I had two Fostex hdd portas as I was taking up music interest again. And back to 80's a Fostex and Tascam cassette portas.

As I entered computer daw it took some years to be productive, soooo many options with a computer daw that disctract....

[kritikon]

At one point I was using one of those VS thingies - I vaguely remember it being optical drive version rather than HD. (Can't remember now what they were called, but for some reason they stick in my head as Jizz drives...which I know cannot possibly right ). TBH it was a PITA even compared to an old Atari based system. Main trouble was the song building was based on old style sequencer type set up and it was clunky as f**k, arranging parts and arrangements on a tiny screen. Nice to have everything in one machine but nowhere near as hands-on usable as a pc screen/DAW. It was useful at the time as I didn't have access to any kind of studio or even home pc space/option though.

Things I remember favourably - Compact. Good sound quality. There was 1 particular on-board FX that was a combined reverb/delay that was superb. Removable memory useful...I remembered! Zip drive! TBH jizz drive sounds better .

Things I remember unfavourably - Way too small. Tiny screen. Sequencer based (and not in a good way - DAWs are sequencer based, yeah but in a good graphical way).

Zoom make some good stuff for standalone recorders but even they pale against any kind of DAW setup. DAWs have taken over for good reason. Too many major limitations in any kind of standalone all-in-one alternative. They had their day and good riddance to them IMO. I'm a confirmed hardware user for synths, but no way I can argue against DAWs. They're just too easy to use compared against almost any other kind of recording

[cryophonik]

What about an ultra modern version of something like this?? All the power of a modern computer without the complexity.

Honestly, I've owned a few of those all-in-one recorders in the past and I agree with kritikon - they're a PITA to use compared to a modern computer/DAW. Trying to fumble around in submenu after submenu with a tiny screen, no mouse or keyboard, and way worse, scroll buttons and/or a joystick to navigate. No thanks, I'll stick with a computer. A better alternative if you want something smaller and simpler IMO is probably a tablet with a tablet-based DAW.

[jupiter8]

(Can't remember now what they were called, but for some reason they stick in my head as Jizz drives...which I know cannot possibly right ).
...
I remembered! Zip drive! TBH jizz drive sounds better .

The successor to the Zip drive was called the Jaz drive.

[kritikon]

Well remembered . I thought I must have got Jizz drive from somewhere. I'm old, but not that demented...yet.

[jupiter8]

I thought I must have got Jizz drive from somewhere.

I don't want to know.

[Grizzellda]

Thanks for responding guys.

I am totally with the modern DAW concept, for sure, I was thinking more of a futuristic thing, which if was built now would be prohibitively expensive, I think. Like the original Synclaviers or Fairlights.

It would be really cool, if at some point... something like I described, with at least a 27 inch 4K screen was available and affordable.

I mean, think of the performance /cost ratio of a moden DAW (with good plugs) compared to a Fairlight. Not even close, in my view.

[rod_zero]

That kind of hardware is not economically variable because it competes directly with a computer and a DAW feature wise and the later will always win at a cheaper price.

Making those devices are expensive and companies won't sell enought to justify the costs of development.

[lfm]

Behringer Wing was one I looked at, reading that it can record and mix 60 tracks on SD-cards
- and there was some module for ADAT as well to add own preamps you like

But talking to Behringer they said it is not made to record while listening to some tracks like you need in a daw.
- that is really fail

https://www.behringer.com/wing

Otherwise all in one, really. B really missed out on usability on that one, all hardware with faders and plenty effects.
- around $3000 or so at the time I looked

The Fostex VF160 had 25 years ago an ADAT input so you could add with really nice preamps as needed.
- I was really hot for a reel-to-reel 16 track Fostex had in the 80's
- but was over my budget at the time so paused idea with music

Tascam have their DP series portastudios as well, so think there is a market for it. I think Zoom has something too.

[DrGonzo]

Behringer Wing was one I looked at, reading that it can record and mix 60 tracks on SD-cards
- and there was some module for ADAT as well to add own preamps you like

But talking to Behringer they said it is not made to record while listening to some tracks like you need in a daw.
- that is really fail

Are you joking? That's... absolutely incredible.

Worked with the modern Tascams. They are good though.

[lfm]

Are you joking? That's... absolutely incredible.

Worked with the modern Tascams. They are good though.

Not sure if I read you right, but I felt it was incredible with tracks, effects and all.

But looking to go dawless, not getting another computer, I wanted a standalone unit to work as a studio.

I looked at Akai MPC X as well, which seemed hot for a bit. I think they have a new version out now.

But I went new computer 3 years ago, so am good for now....

[DrGonzo]

Are you joking? That's... absolutely incredible.

Worked with the modern Tascams. They are good though.

Not sure if I read you right, but I felt it was incredible with tracks, effects and all.

But looking to go dawless, not getting another computer, I wanted a standalone unit to work as a studio.

I looked at Akai MPC X as well, which seemed hot for a bit. I think they have a new version out now.

But I went new computer 3 years ago, so am good for now....

Sorry. I wasn't entirely clear. I meant I was surprised that Behringer Wing didn't allow you to listen to tracks while recording. That for me sounded incredibly stupid thing to miss out on.

I had the original MPC X and it felt a bit like working with a computer through a cramped interface. Not buying the new version that's for sure.

[lfm]

Sorry. I wasn't entirely clear. I meant I was surprised that Behringer Wing didn't allow you to listen to tracks while recording. That for me sounded incredibly stupid thing to miss out on.

No problem.
Agree, seems they were all in for making it a controlsurface for daws instead. But why a unit for effects and all that seems duplicate what daws have and much more of it

[vurt]

Well remembered . I thought I must have got Jizz drive from somewhere.

it's the one you hide from the missus.