Here it is late 2006, and I still hear conversations about "should I use software to record, or use a stand alone recorder?" Admittedly, guitarists have been pretty much the last ones on the technology bus. But, we're on it now and here to stay. Our lot is a life of duality. We want to have the latest toys and use the latest technology, yet we are tied to tone. Good old analog tube burning, even order harmonic, tone. So let's look at the pros & cons of what I would call the four contenders:

1. The computer tower
2. The laptop
3. The Digital Workstation
4. The portable digital recorder

1. The Computer Tower
For many of the higher end softwares (Apple Logic, Pro Tools, Sonar) the bigger the computer, the better. The more card slots, the better. This is the biggest feature of the tower, the ability to add processing cards. These dramatically take the weight off of the computers' processor, and do most of the calculations on their own. This is where Pro Tools got the early lead (amongst other factors). The Pro Tools rig was always much faster because for a full Pro Tools rig, you had to buy the hardware. This was the processor. Called the TDM (Time Domain Multiplexing) card, this was the team of NASA engineers telling your computer to take it easy. It screamed of speed. Over time, the technology marched on to faster processors, on both PC's and Mac's. Then there were the dual processor Mac's that are doing a great job of splitting the workload across processors for better speed and reliability. This is where Apple Logic came into play. Logic had the history of MIDI since the days of Emagic Creator/Notator on the Atari 1040ST. Then they went audio as well, and became a huge player for our disposable income. It works great for film, and music, MIDI and audio, and many people have found a home in Apple Logic. I've cut on both, and will leave that Ford/Chevy conversation alone. Nuff said.

This is an item you're going to find a place for in your machine room, or studio, wire it up and leave it. Just the thought of moving a tower and associated monitors, keyboards, mice, trackballs, and cabling will have you running to the dentist for a more pleasant day.

2. The Laptop
Obviously the laptop has the portability factor over the tower, and now with faster processing speeds on laptops, you can get many projects done on a laptop, like on a tower, as long as you don't need the cards for processors. You will have USB and Firewire ports which are handy for hooking things up to. Interfaces and controllers abound for your musical delight that will all fit in a backpack.

Price can be a bigger lump though, as well as the fact that you WILL have to buy all of those other interfaces and controllers, you'll be able to pick and choose your components, which is cool, but you'll have to figure out how to transport them and keep them all in good condition. A laptop can be cool if you have multiple places that you need the laptop, and are basically moving from one station to another. This way you're more or less just plugging in your laptop to a few different stations to work from.

3. The Stand Alone Digital Audio Workstation
While sometimes it may seem as if the world is going computer, there's still a solid base of recording musicians that are completely happy with a stand alone DAW. These are the 16-24 track and sometimes 32 track configuration units that have pretty much everything you need right in the box. They have the I/O, they have the recorder, the CD burner, and offer a few things missing from our computer counterparts. For one, they have faders when you buy it, no extra charge. You can only mouse one track at a time out of the box with computers, unless you buy the extra controller. (OK you CAN group faders, but not two or more faders simultaneously which can be SO important on riding back up vocals, or multiple guitar parts in a layer).

Another item is the fact that with all of the I/O built in, it's easier to make headphone mixes for the talent, use the aux sends, etc. Again, you can do this on computer, but now you need the eight channel or more I/O.

Live recordings become easier, remote recordings the same. Not to mention that you have virtually no virus factor, and usually less crashing behavior. They can be heavy and bulky to lug around, but more than worth it.

4. The Portable Digital Recorder
This one has been fighting its way into the hearts of consumers, as the way to record inspiration at the moment. These recorders are light, portable, and sound really good. Many have a full compliment of guitar processors, drum sounds, and effects, as well as being a recorder. Most also have the fader benefit. Also, these DO fit the backpack and shirt pocket claim with all things built-in. Microphones are built-in with USB connectivity to back up your music, or transfer files into a larger program in software. Battery power and Flash or SD memory ensure that it can go wherever you do. New portable recorders like the BOSS MICRO BR will even convert to MP3 right in the unit. So you really can just park at the beach, or in the mountains, hotel room, or bedroom, plug in a guitar and go.

What's interesting to me is the next crowd of young songwriters coming up these days. These young musicians are really concentrating on the song, not the plug-in they're going to use on their vocals. Which I think is really very cool and refreshing. They seem to be more apt to put a fair recording on MySpace that shows their song. We are now in a world where MP3 is the audio standard in many players, and AAC is the high end of the fidelity chain. Ask anyone with an iPod.

The only real knock on the small recorders seems to be memory limitations. Of course, for the spec heavy types, the A/D converters may not be up to par with the $2000 piece you have in the studio.

There is no question that everyone wants to sound as good as possible. But there seems to be the culture side of it as well and how well these products fit your lifestyle as well as your production flow. More often now are the combinations of these choices. A combination of a small portable digital recorder to capture the idea, and the tower to make the record on seems to work for many.

So in my usual, inimitable way, I'm going to stay ambiguous as to a winner, or clear answer for this topic. I will say though that whatever makes you more at ease in your song writing and recording process is the answer. I would tell you to really go beyond the sales guy or gal at the store and do some research on your own. I have used all four types in one project, so I know they're all valid. Try them out.

makintrax@philgates.com
http://www.philgates.com
www.myspace.com/philgatesmusic