I’ve done a pretty exhaustive search looking for a recorder that I can hook up to my mixer and do dub-style mixing. 8 ins and 8 outs minimum.
From what I can tell this doesn’t exist and I’d have to get an old hard disk recorder like an Alesis HD24.
Any suggestions? I really prefer to not use a computer when recording and only use it for light editing and mixing/eq-ing.
bump but couldn’t find another similar thread and felt sorry for @brickoftotalpleasure getting ignored.
I too am looking for something similar non computer, this is the closest i can find to no frills spec i’m after.
https://www.denonpro.com/index.php/products/view3/dn-300rmkii
however this is LR input/output only.
ideally i’d like something that will allow connection with a USB audio class compliant device/interface from say, a BigSix or similar kind of desk.
then be able to select which inputs/outputs to record from/play onto.
so in effect you can re process your recordings.
anything out there?
Im using a Cymatics uTrack.
24ins, 24outs (all on D-sub), cheap as chips.
I use it as an interface on my M1 Mac, works extremely well.
There are some limitations, you might want to look into it. Plus the converters arent the workds greatest. Does the job though, incredible value!
I initially bought it to multi-track jams to an SSD (to later edit on DAW). I thought it probably wouldn’t work as in interface, but it did on my old Win 7 PC.
Then I moved to M1 Mac, and to my pleasant surprise it still works! Worth looking into maybe.
PS at the higher end of the market you have the JoeCo devices too.
Tagging @brickoftotalpleasure in case youre still interested!
i did end up getting an alesis hd24. it’s perfect for doing dub style mixing.
i really do wish that zoom would release a recorder like the r16 that has 8 outputs tho.
There’s also the Roland VSR-880 but it has limited and antiquated options for accessing data on today’s computers: an old R-BUS to Firewire converter that only works on OS X Tiger, or reading its hard drive or CF card (which is easily accessible from the front) or SCSI media on a PC and using the free Roland RDAC plugin for 32-bit Reaper 
, or some interesting but semi-painful integration with Logic 6 
… or using it “as intended” with its SPDIF or optical I/O, controlling with MTC / MMC, etc., like it’s the late 90s / early 2000s.
I still like that it sends a really stable MIDI clock and you can navigate your recordings by bar/beat. Markers are also really easy to use. But none of that metadata come over to Reaper if you use the RDAC conversion, so 
RME Fireface Ucx II
RME Fireface Ufx II
whilst an interface with a computer will do all this, this thread is more aimed at finding a standalone HD recorder.
which maybe alien to everyone who’s computer is integral to their setup and fulfils all these duties.
ultimately to accept connection with a USB audio interface may mean a computer in a no frills box anyway, doesn’t seem to exist yet.
got a desk, just need a 19 inch solid state hd recorder: with option to connect a class compliant USB interface.
ZOOM R20 has 8 inputs, basic editing software onboard for moving clips around and EQ, and acts as a mixer.
bonus: its usb-c and has expandable storage
this is close (i have a zoom r16) but it doesn’t have individual outs.
the method that i use which i’m calling “dub mixing” was very common in the pre daw world. most 8 track reel to reels and even tape 4 tracks can do it.
from what i can tell the alesis hd24 (and akai dr16 etc) replaced multitrack tape machines in a lot of studios in the early 2000s but quickly became obsolete as daws and computers took over.
things like the joeco recorders are made for multitrack live recording and don’t have a lot of the functions you’d want for a production hub.
that is true, no individual outs. i really dont understand the workflow where you would need those in a recorder, but perhaps its due to me starting my music journey in a post daw world.
what do you connect those outs to if i may ask?
Not sure, but maybe it doesnt exist because it doesn’t really make sense? (I could be wrong here or just misunderstanding)
Because, if a device has USB, to send multitrack audio, what would be the point of sending that to a HD recorder?
What would you end up doing with that audio? Putting it into a DAW?
If not, then what would the audio do in that box?
Assuming its just a recorder then the audio wouldn’t have any further purpose.
I think thats why it doesnt exist.
Devices which send multitrack audio over USB are designed to send it to a computer. Devices which multitrack record from audio jacks are designed to record audio without needing a recorder, and either playback it as-is or dump it to a DAW for editing.
That’s why I love my UTrack24, it fulfills both roles, can record direct to DAW when needed or straight to SSD/USB stick if cant be bothered to switch computer on.
If you’re specifically meaning for synced overdubbing though, maybe having two boxes linked with USB might be problematic compared to a single device with a hard-wired SSD/HD. I’m guessing though, maybe someone with more knowledge will know?
not much. but it’s there whenever needed on a little card to transfer.
here’s the main reason. 
appreciate your answer but it’s over thought. and me mentioning an output and reprocessing/recording probably led you there (but would be icing on the cake)
not a phone, not an interface (got one), not a mixer (got one).
and definitely not a computer. too distracting.
ultimately a no frills one button press and forget HD recorder.
just like the Denon i shared but with USB input. something to pair with the BigSix or similar.
with this technique it’s all about the mixer and the effects hooked up to it (i use space echo, reverb, filter).
for example: you have 3 outputs from a drum machine, 3 outputs from a multitimbral synth, guitar and vocals. all of this goes thru the mixer and the direct outs go to the recorder, each recorded on their own track.
you can then send all these tracks back thru the mixer and “play” the mixer: mute tracks, eq, pan, add delay, reverb, etc. a lot of crazy stuff can be done with this set up.
there is footage of lee scratch perry doing this in the studio.
not sure how the dub techno guys (basic channel, chain reaction) were doing it, but seeing as how they were HUGE fans of the wackies reggae label, i’d bet they were using this technique.
i feel like a dork when i keep bringing up my favorite gear but it seems like an SP404 would be great for this? wouldnt be able to multi track live exactly but once you have the stems it seems like you would be able to achieve the same goals in a similar dynamic and active way
Yeah that makes sense.
Maybe it doesn’t exist yet because USB multitracking is relatively new (in terms of how common it is nowadays).
I will say this though, when I went down that route, of saving my jams as multitracks, it ended up being quite a lot of hassle going back through it, transferring it all, lining it up, listening to hours of jams etc.
Perhaps if more manufacturers start including it on mixers that’ll be the answer, especially if it works both ways and you can mix down to stereo with analogue summing etc.
