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I haven't seen much here on recording lately, or I just didn't need to notice - but:
I really need to record some compositions (at home).
In the past, I had a Tascam 4 track Cassette deck, and all the requisite mikes, pre-amps, efx units, noise gates, drum machine, etc.
Mixing down to a 2 track cassette machine was no problem, but the transfer to digital became a disappointment.
Without investing $$$ in new equipment, I am looking at the Boss BR600 which is available as used on Reverb.
I want to record guitars, bass, percussion, and maybe vocals. Multi tracks - yes. Rhythm tracks - yes. Overdubs - yes. Soloing - yes.
Also, need to mix - and create a file to exp. onto YT, FaceBook or something like that.
I am hoping to create, ENJOY, and mix on my Mac, and then share on social media (maybe)
So, does anyone have experience with the Boss BR600? Maybe a desktop mixing app? for final tweaks?
I should say up front, that, I can't do this at home on my Desktop Computer, so I need to revert back to the "man's cave"
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01-09-2026 09:14 PM
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There are DAW options to run on your Mac, you'd need an analog > digital interface. Others here will be able to be far more informative than I. My friends who do recording all seem to use Logic Pro, not sure what the hardware interface is.
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I suspect you'd be much better off recording on your Mac. I believe it came with Garage Band. It's fairly powerful and easy to learn with lots of resources on line. There are free plugins to do just about everything and lots of the are very good. All you need is a decent interface and you can get something usable for under $250. Maybe less.
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Yeah, this I know Jim, but, I can't move my computer to where I can perform and record, can't record where the computer is.
Which is why I am looking for a more portable unit to record with. I could then transfer and mix on my computer.
Thanks
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If you can spend somewhat more, I think a much better solution would be to use GarageBand on either a used macbook or used ipad with an audio interface. I used to record on something similar to the BR-600 (Korg D8, also a friend's Roland VS880). It worked, and it sounded way better than 4-track cassette. But a DAW is a vastly better tool. These self-contained multi-track recorders all have frustrating interfaces (small displays, with every feature in multi-level text menus) and mixing limitations, plus then you have to get the output onto a computer anyway. It makes more sense to save up until you have a computer-based recording solution. There's a reason nearly everybody abandoned these products as soon as computer audio matured.
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I understand that you need portability. The BR600 is old technology. To put it in perspective, it records to a Compact Flash card. You can get excellent multitrack digital recording in something like a $219 TASCAM DR40x (which I have and love). It’ll do 4 tracks simultaneously, and you can overdub. It has both very good built in mics and XLR inputs, and is very easy to use. The electronics are excellent - recordings sound wonderful, and there’s no detectable background noise in the X (the earlier DR40 did have some noise issues). It records to SD cards.
With a USB connection, it becomes both a DAI and a file source. The preamps are surprisingly good. And you can transfer the wav files to and from your computer quickly and easily.
There are similar 6 and 8 track units if you need more. But judicious use of the available tracks (eg dub bass over rhythm track) will let you put a lot of music on a recording even on the DR40x. Other brands offer similar units in the same price range. The hardware and use details differ, but they’re all pretty good. I liked the way the TASCAM felt to me - intuitive to use, easy to set up, and very versatile.
I wouldn’t put the same $ into a used and outdated device.
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I have a Tascam DP-03SD collecting dust. Happy to give you a good deal.
You can export tracks but need a DAW to mix them on a computer.
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I was going to say why not a small laptop and interface but I just looked up the specs on the Boss. It's really small so I can see the attraction.
Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack
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I used a Boss BR600 and it was quite good. I still have it boxed away somewhere. I mainly used it with the inbuilt mics for recording an acoustic duo I was in and sketching ideas when practicing. I never really got the hang of the drum machine programming. The BR600 is quite old now and it can only use a 1GB sd card which I think are not that easy to get now. There was a BR800 as well which had some upgrades. I can see the attraction of a stand alone multitrack but I use a DAW now.
Have you looked at the Zoom multitrack recorders? They are still making them and do quite a few different ones.
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The only BR600s I've ever seen used a Compact Flash card, not an SD. CF is truly old tech - it's slow, and it's limited to 32G total. Even if there was a later version that used SD cards, the SD specs when it was in production were primitive and the current SD cards are not usable in early SD devices. I don't know of any contemporary computer with a CF slot, so you can't just drop in the card and transfer your files to your computer. You can transfer via USB, but I think it's USB1 which is quite slow by today's standards. Originally Posted by gps
The electronics (preamps etc) are outdated, and if it needs repair (especially if it needs parts) you're most likely out of luck. I do not think it's a wise way to go.
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To chime in with NeverShouldHave… I also have a DR40 and it’s the only think I use now. It’s really easy to use for gig preservation.
I don’t do much home recording. It’s not enjoyable to me.
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Hey Allan, researching the Tascam DP-03, it looks pretty good. Might be very interested. Need to search out a DAW also. Thanks Originally Posted by AllanAllen
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It’s not going anywhere. Just let me know. Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack
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"The only BR600s I've ever seen used a Compact Flash card, not an SD."
Yes your right it's a flash card. You can still pick them up on ebay. If the OP does get a BR600, get one that has a 1GB card with it and maybe pick spare cards up from ebay
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I had a Boss BR600, purchased new in 2006. It's basically an antique now. I eventually threw it in the garbage can because trying to sell it wasn't worth the headache of listing it and the small $ a sale would've made. Make sure you immediately back up your work onto a computer or you risk losing your material.
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