Portable recorders will always be handy to capture those millisenconds of magic when inspiration strikes.
Feast your eyes on the Boss Micro BR BR-80, a multitrack recorder that caters to guitarists and solo musicians. Slightly larger than an iPod, this little powerhouse is capable of simultaneously recording 2 tracks via its built-in stereo condenser mic. It can also playback 8 tracks at the same time and has the ability to host up to 64 virtual tracks for editing, overdubs and mixdowns.
The BR-80 can save data directly on SD/SDHC cards, which offers recording times ranging from 3 hours (1GB) to an impressive 500 hours (32GB). Furthermore, what’s great about Boss’s new portable recorder is that once you’re ready to take your ideas to a desktop computer, it can be used as an audio interface as well, and connects to your Mac or PC via USB. This new hybrid functionality is similar to the Zoom R8, making it easy to switch from mobile recording to editing on your DAW in one swift step.
If you simply want to rehearse or warm up, the BR-80 features an eBand mode which provides an extensive library of backing tracks and rhythm patterns. If none of the preset sounds are appealing, you may import your own WAV or MP3 files to play along with, and you can even minimize vocals/guitar solos on pre-recorded tracks via the Centre-Channel Cancelling effect.
The Micro BR BR-80 comes bundled with Cakewalk SONAR X1 LE and retails for $290 (Php 12,300)
BOSS MICRO BR BR-80 Features at a Glance:
• COSM amps and effects for a huge variety of guitar tones • Vocal FX derived from VE-20 Vocal performer • Multitrack record mode gives you 8 playback tracks and 64 virtual tracks • Live Record mode uses built-in stereo condenser mic to capture in-the-moment stereo recordings • eBand mode provides useful practice tools (i.e.: tempo adjustment, center-channel cancellation, etc.) • Huge library of built-in backing and rhythm patterns • Three modes: MTR (multi-track recorder), eBand, and Live Rec • Records directly to SD/SDHC memory card (up to 32 GB) • eBand function for phrase training and play-along tracks • World-class COSM amps and effects onboard • Use as a USB audio interface with built-in effects • SONAR X1 LE software included