Micro BR or Guitar

DonovanB

Hey hey, I have a major dilemma in front of me.

I have been offered a Micro BR for rather cheap. For those that don't know it is an amazing 4 track recorder with built in drum loops and a lot of Boss efects. the tones are great. Check a sample here http://www.soundclick.com/donovanbanks

Now as you know I play in a corporate band, which can be mellow at times and an electric guitar is a bit over the top. As far as acoustic guitars go I prefer Nylons strings, mainly becuase I can get a better sound out of that than steel and I just prefer it. I reckon I'm not bad with it and I even have the whole flamenco/latin style going.

Now I can get either one. There are pros and cons for both. The BR will give me endless time available to record my ideas etc, but the drum loops are limited and I can get better loops on my laptop as well as record decent guitar sounds with software.

A Classical guitar will give me more gigging options and a wider variety of sounds but the only one I can afford is a cheaper model. It does have the option to get me more work and earn more bucks to get a better guitar so it can be considered a stepping stone so to speak.

I am stuck, help me okes!!!

(old forum) Poll Results: Which should I buy?

Boss Micro BR recorder: 2
New Classical Guitar: 8

FatBoy

I'd get the guitar, you say you can record and get drum loops on the laptop anyway, so I do not see the Micro BR adding to the pot, the guitar however will.

Gearhead

+1
Basically what you're saying is that there's a software replacement for the BR but no replacement for the guitar. Don't worry about wanting to have a better guitar than you have money for, we all do.

AlanRatcliffe

+2. Instruments first, amplification second, recording gear third (IMO). And always buy what you need before you buy what you want. The Micro BR is nice in it's own way, but useless without things to record with it. Instruments also hold value a lot better than technology. And if the nylon can earn you extra money... (note the emphasis - there's a difference between fleshing out the sound of your current gigs and being able to land more gigs because of it) ?

Of course, the third option is bank the spare cash and add to it until you can buy yourself a nice electro-acoustic nylon. Takes a bit longer, but cheaper in the long run than buying something in the meantime and selling it again later. This would also mean you have the cash on hand in case a really good bargain on a nylon pops up. On the other hand, if you need a nylon now, go for the cheaper model and upgrade as and when you can. I took the latter route, and even though I'm more of a nylon player, I ended up with a good steel string acoustic before I ended up with a really good nylon - because that's what I needed for a gig.

DonovanB

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Of course, the third option is bank the spare cash and add to it until you can buy yourself a nice electro-acoustic nylon. Takes a bit longer, but cheaper in the long run than buying something in the meantime and selling it again later. This would also mean you have the cash on hand in case a really good bargain on a nylon pops up.

That is a very good idea. I don't need it right away. Well, not for a few weeks at least.

Wizard

I have a Micro BR and a nylon string guitar.
I use the guitar much more ?

Ray

Wizard wrote I have a Micro BR and a nylon string guitar.
I use the guitar much more ?

Ya but I've been watching you! You bought the guitar long after the Micro BR and we always play more with our newer toys.

Donno, you go and buy the guitar but PM me the dets where I can get this Micro BR.

FenderBender

I got my BR a week before getting a good deal on a decent soundcard for my laptop.
The BR is great for portability or if you prefer not to go the laptop>gr3>soundcard route.
It's really good value for such a powerful, portable little studio with great features and excellent sound quality. Apart from being a recorder, it has a built in MP3 player, a feature to slow down songs (so that you can work out hectic riffs) and an excellent built-in mic. The guitar effects are comprehensive and cater for all genres and styles including metal.
Drum effects are limited. Limited only in that you cannot create your own patterns, although IIRC there are over 200 patterns that can be assembled together to make up some good tracks for most styles from polka to metal. For those of you that may support the old "drummer" adages that are jestily posted around the site, surely 200 immaculately timed patterns are good enough ?

Two things to watch out for:

They CHOW batteries! Two AA cells last between 3 and 6 hours. Really not a problem if you have a set of 4 rechargeable 1.5V cells (NOT NiCads or NiMH). This allows you to always have a set of batteries on hand and have absolute portability. They also work with BOSS power supplies.
The solder connections between the main board and guitar input jack on the BR are renowned for working loose. I upgraded and strengthened the connection on my unit and had no more issues, although I got caught out as one of my instrument cables decided that Jack Plugg & his wife should be separated instantly ?

I sold my BR to BluesAddict about 2 months ago and use my laptop for everything now.
The BR is good value for money and I would have kept it if I did not have a DAW.

Wizard

Ray wrote Ya but I've been watching you! You bought the guitar long after the Micro BR and we always play more with our newer toys.

You speak wise words ?
I have used the Micro BR very extensively, will continue to use it and won't sell it.
It has proved very useful for the following:
- as a guitar amplifier into headphones for playing late at night and not waking the family
- as a metronome or backing drum rhythm
- recording one guitar part so you can play another along with it - I recorded my (bad) playing of 12 bar blues chards; which I then plugged into the aux of my GDec amp; and could then practice (bad) solo blues parts to my own rhythm section
- downloading an MP3 from your computer onto the BR, then playing it through the aux on your amp ... and you can play on top of it.
- the main reason I bought it which was to record all of my african instruments (djembe, ngoni & marimba) one part at a time, ala Mike Oldfield ... had GREAT fun doing this

Battery life with normal batteries is a massive issue.
Rechargeables are certainly much better.
I just bought the BOSS power supply which solves the problem completely.

So ... my experience is to get the Micro BR AND the classical guitar.
Sorry if that doesn't help.

DonovanB

Well I did it...

I was in Coastal music without the intention of buying a guitar, but you know how that helps..

I bought a budget Ibanez classical and I love it!!!

FatBoy

Congrats man! Hope you enjoy her!

Ray

Lovely man! You took a budget photgraph?