Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder

Subject: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: GUEST,Scoville (not a GUEST!)
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 12:00 PM

My dad has struck again--I keep trying to tell him we need to put a moratorium on technological gifts until I can catch up to all technology he's given me over the past five years.

When I got home last night, I was presented with a Boss Micro BR digital recorder. I haven't opened it yet because I'm afraid that, like the iRiver, the Nikon, and Finale before it, it will be smarter than I am and I'll never learn to use it. I have ZERO recording experience. ZERO. I don't even know the terminology.

I've looked for online reviews from actual users (not commercial reviews) but it appears that the thing hasn't been out long and I can't find many. Has anyone used this, or do you know anyone who has, and what is the learning curve?

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: Bee
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 12:43 PM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Boss-?sku=241152

I can't help, but there are a few reviews here. Google product name user reviews got me lots of hits.

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: GUEST,Scoville (not a GUEST!)
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 02:15 PM

Thanks! That's better than I could drag up.

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: nickp
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 02:40 PM

I have to say it looks great. If I hadn't just splashed out on a replacement for my minidisc I would be tempted (even though it wouldn't be to fill THAT role). Persevere! Nick

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: GUEST,Scoville
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 05:18 PM

Yeah, I was surprised at how good the reviews were (I'm a tech-pessimist). The biggest complaints seemed to be about the drum tracks, which I will probably never use, anyway.

I've almost worked up the nerve to take off the shrink-wrap.

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 09:46 AM

Big question for me...how does the data go into your computer? Is it automatically converted into a wave file? If not, you might need to download a Wave converter program. I found this to be true with my Boss 532 big digital and the wave converter program doesn't work all that well, IMO. It works mind you but some things are lost in the mix.

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: nickp
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 10:48 AM

From memory it has a USB

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: Scoville
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 09:13 AM

Yes, it has a USB.   (Sorry, my Internet went out over the weekend.)

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: treewind
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 05:21 PM

So what sort of a file do you see when you've recorded 4 tracks?
I know you can have a .WAV file with any number of channels, but how many programs can handle that?

Or do you mix to stereo in the Boss box?

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 09:43 AM

I'll refresh this and post an update as soon as I actually have time to record something (don't you hate when real life gets in the way of your music stuff?).

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: GUEST,visitor
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 01:48 PM

The raw recorded data will not be recognizable by any player. First you need to "master Up" the song into mp3 or wav format Done internally by the BR when you ask it to. It will land in a directory called "mp3" right on the sd card, and you can then retrieve it with your computer via USB or card reader and do whatever else you want with it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
From: GUEST,Visitor
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:00 PM

More on the micro:

I have no problem with the rythm thing. To make the tempo stick to a song all you have to do is save the pattern into a user arrangement. This apparently caused trouble because if you don't it defaults back to a preset value, it is not automatic. But it has a solution.

What I don't like it the effects setup. Reverb is global, with no off option, although I guess I could set it's levels to zero. You also have noise supression and delay effects which can be used in any combination or turned off. But when you get to the "compressor, Chorus, Flanger, phaser, tremolo" you can only choose one at a time. I would have liked to use compressor and any of the others combined.