All user reviews of 4/5 for the Boss BR-1180/1180CD Digital Recording Studio

I had been looking for a fairly inexpensive multi-track digital recorder for some time, One that you dont have to be a computer nerd to understand or use. I bought this unit new for $950 from Maytan Music in Reno Nevada in June '04.

Easy to use is mainly what I had in mind and this machine is just that. After a quick review of the manual and watching the how-to-use video,I was on my way to recording tracks! Controls are laid out simply and the screen walks you through the process.Built-in guitar & vocal FX are a nice feature as are the drum tracks. The on-board CD burner produces professional sounding,studio quality CD's. Ten digital tracks are more than enough for my needs. A friend of mine bought a computer-based recording system around the same time and he's still trying to get it to work! I'm not far from finishing my first solo album!

The only thing I do not like about this recorder is that you can only record two tracks simultaneously.(with the BR1600 you can record 8 at a time).This is OK by me,as I can only play one instrument at a time anyway! But for recording a Group,it is nice to be able to dedicate indvidual tracks.

The quality is very good. Not at all cheap.Quite sturdy. Perfect for the home recording studio set up. Hook it up to some monitors and you're ready to go. A heavy duty road case would be recommended if taken out.

I am very pleased with this machine,a welcome upgrade from the 4 track cassette based unit I've had for years. If you need to get your songs recorded quickly and want them to sound professionally done and dont need to record more than 2 tracks at a time,this is the unit to get. RECOMMENDED!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

BR-1180/1180CD / [boss - multitrack recording numrique]

Studio recording 11 tracks

Tracks simultaneously read: 8 tracks + Stereo Track 9 / 10, each with 8 virtual tracks = 80 tracks
Recording tracks simultaneously: 2 tracks
Frquence dchantillonnage: 44.1 kHz (fixed)
Denregistrement mode: 16 bit linear uncompressed R-DAC MT1 (QUALITY), R-DAC MT2 (STANDARD), R-DAC LV1 (LIVE), R-DAC LV2 (LONG)
Hard Drive: 20 GB (Internal)
Duredenregistrement with 20 GB hard drive:
Uncompressed: Approx. 60 hours,
MT1: Approx. 120 hours,
MT2: Approx. 160 hours,
LV1: Approx. 190 hours,
LV2: Approx. 240 hours
CD-R/RW: port CD-R/RW intgrbr /> Effects:
Insertion Effects: 13 algorithms,
Deffets loops: legalization / rverbration / chorus / time limit / dubbing
Mastering Effects: 3-band compressor, COSM modlisations DSurround and microphones (MODEL of references: AKG C3000B)
Guide rhythm PCM:
RESOLUTION: 96 tics of black
Polyphony max. 5 votes
Patterns:
Prprogramms: 50,
User: 50 (programmable by the user and importable via squence SMF)
Screen: Graphic LCD 128 x 64 pixels
Between:
Between GUITAR / BASS: Jack 6.35 mm,
MIC 1: XLR x 1 (with power fantme), Jack 6.35 mm,
MIC 2: 1 XLR (with power supply fantme), Jack 6.35 mm,
LINE IN: 2 RCA
From pedals to dexpression: 1 Jack 6.35 mm,
Between Footswitch: 1 Jack 6.35 mm,
MIDI IN: a 5-pin DIN connector
Outputs:
LINE OUT: 2 RCA
Headphone jack: 1 Stereo Jack 6.35 mm,
Numrique output: 1 S / PDIF (Optical)
MIDI OUT: a 5-pin DIN connector
Power Supply AC Adaptor (PSB-3U)

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More dtail see www.roland.fr.
Sounds like a good, but it must be added the opinion of the user, ie me-even:

NEGATIVE POINT
- It lacks a graphical interface this device. I have 40 more slap happy to see a USB port on my recorder connected to my computer for more simplicity in the management of the device driver ... thanks a little over a DD 40 GB would not t bcp more expensive
- Same for the transfer of deals! the only way to export or import of two hands (*. wav, *. mid), the CD! It's stupid, right? A small USB port, and presto, good c'tait
- Possibility of dfragmenter the disc piece (!) Why not dfragment SD while world? But out o the computer from home Boss? (In case of grain?) In addition, some users complain of a crash during the procedure of dfrag. donf feared a, h!
- Do you know the version 2? I bought my BR in version 1. In the inside of the box, with a notice of version 2 + on the Roland site, they explain (but need to understand) that there are ways to upgrade its self-same BR in tl loading the file to copy to CD and then introduced into the BR (b yes, the CD is the only MDIA transfer given dj I said, it sucks). New features in version 2 are useful and enjoyable version 3 can be if we all work?
- CAUTION THIS IS SERIOUS: a small white milliseconds BEFORE AND AFTER a range of copy / paste or INSRE. It is not described on the box, but it states on the record a hideout derrire asterisk. It's not that I'm super picky, but I hear it! This "white" is heard! HORRIBLE !!!!!!! This is the note that I Saqua: 4, inexcusable.
- Synchronization: BR1180 is easy when the "Matra". Pnible when the BR is "Slave"
- Do you buy a magnifying glass! Boss made ECONOMY candle-end in Arequipa this product a notch LCD rtroclair ('reus'ment) no bigger than a calculator. While there is plenty of space and energy for a big screen + (color and then must buy a softphone for a color display?)
- Shortcut: unknown word at Boss. Tape yourself intgralit the DSIR to select the menu option that is well your little hideout. C'tait not hard to develop a small Systm Macro for rpetitives spots. Are constantly at Boss, knows no windows?

Strengths:
- Excellent "All-in-one" of the sound to write CDs: childish (but trs long because no GUI correct). Ddicace spcial effects COSM guitar and bass that I find exxxxxxxxxxxxcellentissime.
- Extremely portable and robust (at least aa air): you follow the o you and it's good, because it is sometimes easier to get a studio musicians, some musicians in a studio
- In version 2: possibility to import via MIDI IN on the track a squence Rhythm stroddi trs a well!
- Cheap for what it is, finally.

UTILIZATION

It is mainly what has brushes with the BR1180: is the use we can make.
Apart from the function of a recorder Premire, ie of SAVE, there a lot of cool stuff for small Jammer or work on this device.
Thus gnrateurs overpowering effects algorithms allow any vintage sound (be it a little connatre effects loop, but the components are of good quality and we trs can find any sound. I've heard (but still confirmed) that the components of the effects of BR1180 taient the same as that of Pdalier GT6, REFERENCE of p Dali now.
Thus, a Stretch mode lets you rduire tempo by 2 without the pitcher tonalitbr /> So a filter on the central frquences allows you to Karaoke
Thus, a guide rhythm (do not call a rhythm box, it would EXAGRES allows you to return a tube of aspirins create your drum track patterns stroddie (and Midif), so a track (or two) of good ... You Save!
LOOP mode and exists for a work of phrass complicated solos (using the Stretch Loop mode possible). But there is a blank between each loop: not good!
And a CD player allows you to import any song: the IDAL to work again!
Making sounds: Max 2 tracks simultaneously (attention, Mix Audio recording mode does not allow you to record more tracks simultaneously)

So if you rcapitule: AUTONOMY
BR1180 with: a guitar and a jack, need anything else (although other musicians can help rvler): To record for boeuffer (with self-same), for improving your technique to learn the sound and mastering, the BR1180 is done.

SOUNDS

Ben is the numrique, then: High Fidler. Is clear. EXACTLY what you mean to record yourself hertz prs. Now the quality of the sound your ears, it's much the speakers playing, and more or less air you breathe vici (and it's nothing to say).
Note also a Mastering Tool Kit for the "Ready for FM" as they say. It looks good this kit, but I have not had time to test ... I am not l. We'll see when my sound will be taken over.

Also note: a pregnant simulator mastering ... I do not know what a is, should be compared with real speakers ... mouaif, blah.

I have no complaints about the drum sounds are not so bad ...

OVERALL OPINION

I'm happy! Exactly what I needed for my small amateur musician wishing to leave some traces of postre. It's been a month since I use this device three hours a day, and I enjoy a lil crazy.
The BR1180 is a fabulous toy drive with € 950. It will not replace a real studio with a real producer, but it can evolve srieusement, either alone or in groups, to work Fast Fashion relatively extensive production. LONG LIVE DEMO! Long live independence!

In any case, numrique or not, one thing remains sre: if you want a good recording begins to play!