Boss BR-532 Digital Studio user reviews ( 8/10) - 11 user reviews

• 12/30/03

  MGR/Young's review "Boss BR-532"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  Paid 250 on ebay. Got the unit for adding guitar recording to software synth songs.
  
  
  
  The interface may be daunting at first, but it\'s actually quite good. You have direct access to all of the important functions on the face of the unit. There are dedicated dials and sliders for all the important input/outputs which is excellent, no switching between two different functions. Most importantly sound quality is really good. Hook up a guitar and mic, and you\'ll be surprised how good it is. The canned effects are alright, but you can save up to 30 user effects that are fully customizable!
  
  
  
  Don\'t like that the memory cards are smart media. They\'re fine, but you\'re limited to 128Mb. I guess that\'s okay, since this is more of a 4 track song writing/developing type of unit, not just a straight digital recorder.
  
  oh yeah, and there\'s no midi in.
  
  
  
  
  
  Construction is plastic, but it\'s still top notch. Very good overall. Plus, it\'s the function that counts eh?
  
  
  
  All in all, it\'s a good deal, considering you can get them now at bargain prices.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 11/22/03

  MGR/Keith Jenken's review "Boss BR532"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I was looking for something to replace my old 4 track analog machine and found the features of this unit to be good value based on the price.
  
  I paid 679.00 Canadian for the unit.
  
  
  
  I like the built in features such as the various guitar sounds and the ability to modify the presets to just about any combination you want. I also like the built in Bass simulator it sounds almost as good as a real bass guitar and once it is mixed you can\'t tell the difference. It is also very portable and is easy to take anywhere.
  
  
  
  The instruction book could be better written some of the descriptions are hard to understand
  
  The 32 Mb card supplied with the unit is too small. A 128 Mb card is a must. I keep losing tracks when trying to bounce them and find its a hit and miss situation lots of the time.
  
  
  
  The unit seems to be built very well. All controls function smoothly. Its easy to hit some of the wrong buttons due to their close proximity to one another. The sound quality is very good. The recorded sounds are clear and noise free. A big improvement over analog units.
  
  
  
  
  
  Lots of features built in to a compact unit. Very portable and good sound quality. Could use a better instruction manual. Unit should come standard with a larger sound card. 32Mb is just too small.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 11/15/03

  MGR/Aidan Logins's review "Boss BR532"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  The Boss BR532 has great quality recording for a small price: only $667 at a local guitar shop. I purchased this product so that I could more conveniently record my songs. Before owning the Boss digital recording console I had trouble remembering my ideas and I had a lot of paper clutter. Now all my songs are recorded and neatley stored on discs.
  
  
  
  Its compact size and ability to run off of battery power makes the BR532 portable so you can record almost any place you want to. The bass simulator and amp modeling effects give you the sound that you need without needing to buy all of the expensive equipment.
  
  
  
  The batteries do not last as long as I would have liked, making the power cord a neccesity, but the power cord is not included with the purchase of a BR532. Video instructions are not included with the product but can be bought seperately.
  
  
  
  It has a surprisingly crisp and clear sound quality. It is built to last and easy troubleshoot. Its relatively light weight makes it very easy to transport from place to place.
  
  
  
  This product was exactly what I wanted but more than I would have expected for such a low price. You can record all your song ideas without the hassle, expense, or waiting involved with booking time at a recording studio.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 11/02/03

  MGR/Paul Nery's review "Boss BR-532 Digital Recorder"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I acquired this 4-track digital recorder after havind a not-so-good experience with other brand, that claimed it was portable and very easy to use. Although that unit had some really good effects, it was only 20-bit and 31.25 kHz; and was not "user-friendly". So, searching the Web, I found the BOSS recorder. The 4-track was the only one I could afford; I play guitar, keyboards and other instruments, and I make music of various styles, planning to record CDs in the future.So, I went to a store called "Drum |Shop" and bought it.It cost aroiund US$ 450.
  
  
  
  It´s very easy to use, and has many built-in effects; the recorder resembles a 4-track portastudio, so it´s very \"user-friendly\". I made some recordings, transferred them to the PC via a Smart
  
  Media device, and burnt to CD, with very good quality as a result.
  
  
  
  The only problem is that it´s a 4-track recorder; for the kind of music I make, it would be better an 8-track...
  
  
  
  Excellent quality, like all the gear that BOSS makes.
  
  For rock´n´roll, new age, blues, everything, it can give a superb quality of recording.
  
  
  
  If I have to choose again between brands, I´d take a BOSS recorder...always.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 01/26/03

  MGR/Anonymous's review "Boss br-532"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  $667 cdn + the outlet for power--read many good reviews for the product and met my musical budget/needs.
  
  
  
  - bass simulator
  
  - price
  
  - copy/paste functions
  
  - size
  
  
  
  
  
  does not come with power cord.
  
  
  
  great!
  
  
  
  bottom line....this unit is great for the buck you pay, perfect for the beginner musician/recorder.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 03/24/02

  MGR/Rick Clark's review "Boss BR-532 Digital Studio"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  Because I have a gospel quadtec group and we trying to do some recording need to spend time trying to master our songs, studio time would kill us for time spent. I paid $430.00 for the system
  
  
  
  It portable and easy to use
  
  
  
  Battery don't last long
  
  
  
  duarable and tough
  
  
  
  I think this is a great unit for groups or people looking to do there own recording
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 03/24/02

  MGR/TWH's review "Boss BR-532"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I recently bought the BR-532 at a local music shop, after many hours of researching digital recorders. I paid $397,00 for it, and it was money well spent.
  
  
  
  The built in drum machine sounds great, but it is a little confusing trying to figure out how to arrange your own patterns. Most of the effects are very good, and with a little tweaking, you can get some great tones out of this. The 7-string effect is real cool. Anybody who has used an analog 4 track will adjust very well to this machine, recording is simple, and mastering out to a cassette deck produced some extremely high quality tapes. (I'm still saving up for a CD burner). I was using a Tascam 424, and although that was a great machine, the BR-532 is light years ahead. Even though an AC adapter is not included, I have used mine for over 4 hours on aa batteries.
  
  
  
  Go buy a PSA120 power supply, because they dont include one with the machine. And you'll have to do some trial and error on programming the rythym guide, because the owners manual sux. The 32 MB smartmedia card is kinda lame, a 64MB card, would work much better for me.
  
  
  
  The machine seems to be well built and sturdy
  
  
  
  I paid almost $500 for a Tascam 424 about 10 years ago, and I paid $397 for this, and the advances made in that time are amazing, I loved my 424, but this thing is even better, as an upgrade of your old analog recorder, or as your first one, you cant go wrong.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 12/15/01

  MGR/Ed "TaylorGuy" Mehollin's review "Boss BR-532"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I bought the BR-532 from Musician's Friend to set up a home studio - albeit a fairly basic one - to record acoustic guitar and some vocals. I had purchased a Zoom PS-02 (see earlier review) that did not meet my needs. I paid $395.99 which is the same price anyone is selling the BR-532s.
  
  
  
  I really like the Boss BR-532. It is set up just like a a traditional 4 track cassette recorder with faders for eash channel, a mix down fader and simple tape-transport like buttons for record, play, pause, fast forward and rewind. The unit is not a light weight toy - it feels substantial. It has ample inputs (guitar/bass), mic (XLR and 1/4") and other. Each input source has it's own gain/sensitivity control with a peak signal LED. It has lots of inputs and outputs including digital out. It comes with built in COSM effects and amp models that are pretty good. The LCD panel provides a lot of information regarding recording levels, modes, etc. It records onto Smartmedia cards that are really cool and comes with a 32mb card. It will handle up to 128mb. These cards mean very affordable, clean recording with instant rewind and editing capabilities. Lastly, the BR-532 will run on batteries though I don't know how long a set of AAs will last.
  
  
  
  I thought it should have come supplied with ac AC adaptor but I had to pay an extra $20 or so for one. The manual is OK but not outstanding. I bought the video manual for $20.00 but it was a waste with such basic information that it was useless.
  
  
  
  It is solidly built and all controls fell to be well designed and of good quality.
  
  
  
  The Boss BR-532 is a really cool entry point into digital recording and it costs about the same as a Tascam or Fostex four track cassette maching. I would heartily recommend this unit.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 08/18/06

  phger's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Sample at 44hz.
  
  Smartmedia
  
  4 tracks + tracks vituelles.
  
  works with batteries. Autonomy very long.
  
  Portable, lightweight.

  Utilization

  Configuration very simple.
  
  Manual is very clear.

  Sounds

  Good effects guitars.
  
  Bonnen dynamic

  Overall Opinion

  It's a happening everywhere.
  
  I use it as portable sampler and after I put my sounds in the TRITON.
  
  I use it to save my sounds on my TRITON combinations (triton sampler can not be himself). This was primarily why I buy.
  
  I use it to scan my old 33 rpm.
  
  I use it to save our repeated.
  
  
  
  I can not believe the price okaz is a super high quality machine.
  
  When I think in the 80's it cost a very large sum of money to buy u magneto TASCAM 4-track, really should not complain.
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• 11/09/05

  easyphaee's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Basically everything is in numerical dominance, although several types of inputs are available.
  
  Two input jacks, an XLR input and RCA output, and can connect an optical cable.
  
  Foot Switch Input
  
  The storage is done on Smart Media cards, there is no internal hard drive, which is sometimes a problem.
  
  Sold without the adapter (in my case) 9V, suddenly you're never really sure with an adapter unviversel.
  
  Simultaneous recording of two entries no more. Possibility to choose between mono or stereo recording in a compressed mode or not. Simultaneous playback of four tracks at once. The 16 tracks is good for virtual coup.
  
  Each track can multiply when recording but you have to recompress the two main ways to have a listen to the final mix.
  
  Ideal for voice and guitar to capture ideas, riffs and start some arrangements.
  
  Effects integrated and scalable, with the guitar, Noise Suppressor, EQ, Modeling, Effect (I remember well the rest), and for singing about the same but there you ask me too (voice of "tic and tock "also for those passionate about it) ... oh so that's it; De-Esser, Compressor, Delay, etc.. In short it is fairly complete.
  
  Metronome and tuner.
  
  Tap tempo button handy to check the batteries in grouve we want.
  
  With Knob volume for the battery or the metronome. Ability to pass the battery into the mix, via recording or volume. Ability to change its batteries (rock, studio, room, heavy, reggae, jazz), this manipulation does not change, however, that bass drum sounds, snare drum, (or am alorsje trisodium).
  
  Reverb-Chorus-effect and another doubling of the style can be assigned either to the entire mix, including the drum track, or a single track with the effect adjustment. One of these three effects can be assigned on a piece.

  Utilization

  The Br532 is taken in hand very easily, no need to be a bully, even if I happened to mishaps
  
  (It takes longer see an error in the smart card format in my opinion) data loss, full card for no reason or impossible to load.
  
  The existence of the drum patterns are welcome (I've made tough riffs on it).
  
  We recorded the first day without reading the manual.
  
  Main menu simple.
  
  Enough pots so as not to mix everything.
  
  The difficulty may be for novice music gear can be in publishing, which governs all cut, copy and paste, but with perseverance can get to have something quite specific.

  Sounds

  Very rock-oriented pop, both in the patterns in the guitar effects. Some effects bass that although few (maybe six) make service! It's really for singers guitarists.
  
  The loss of sound quality is at the level of transfer on the boss billion, or cassette, or otherwise.
  
  The audio tapes are to be avoided. The loss of quality is really felt.
  
  In contrast to a digital medium the result is more satisfying.
  
  But it must be time to mix the record.
  
  Single defect, no mini mixer that would improve the final rendering.

  Overall Opinion

  This remains a very good tool to resonable price, I had purchased 450 three years ago, now we can get it for less than ECU.
  
  I advise all those who have never registered too and wants to put all ideas on md of compounds riffs and arrangements. I used 3 years and now I work on PC and Mac which is a little more complete.
  
  I've just separated to partially fund my amp scratch (and vi c matos expensive), but if I had to keep the sub I would have done. Very useful on holiday, for example, it is also likely that I bought back in a few times, because that always useful for ideas, repeat ....
  
  It was my first recording device and "sound editing" after the MD-Micro kit, and far I've never had to complain of anything apart from the memory. We must invest in more cards smart media.
  
  With the experience I reprendrendrais multitrack cassette recorder with fewer features, effects, and buttons, and especially with a memory a bit cheaper. Because I prefer a simple and crude but that's my pti punk side (!).
  
  Do not hesitate if you have the profile, "I make songs, but I forget them with time and / or I would like to choirs and other guitars, or I can not work on my computer when I go on holiday. "
  
  Last point value for money, almost nothing to say except the power adapter missing on delivery.
  
  I finished
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