New Album Recorded on Boss BR 1600

[Fred Rogan]

Please check out my new album I Ain't as Cute as I Used to Be, Fred Rogan, available on all streaming platforms.
I recorded this on my Boss BR 1600 that I have had for 20-25 years (and still ain't too proficient at running).
Guitar, pedal steel, vocals and bass all were recorded most of the time going directly into the 1600. The only effects I used from the 1600 were reverb and some echo. For steel I used only my boss RV-6 reverb pedal.
Electric guitar I sometimes did go through my Boss ME-90 (notably on the song Too Late Now).
Drums were from my Alesis SR-16 drum machine. I can't record that direct to the 1600 because I need to EQ the drums before they get there. Therefore I run the drums through my MXR Ten Band EQ pedal to tame the kick drum and spike the snare a bit.
I have a Fender Squire Bass VI that I played bass on and ran that directly into the 1600.
Vocals were recorded with a Shure SM-58 and most of the time went directly into the 1600. For some of the harmonies (especially One More Heartache) I used a TC Helicon Harmony Singer pedal.
Instruments used were my Show Pro steels, the Squire Bass VI several Teles and the Gretsch Jet.
So as you can see, with the exception of the 1600 and the drum machine, most of what I used were floor pedals.
I continue to be amazed at the 1600. Most recording deficiencies were the result of my shortcomings as an engineer (IMHO). I have listened to my recordings on a friends very high end stereo and was astounded at the fidelity the 1600 produces.
I wrote all of the songs and sang and played all of the instruments, such as it is. Most of it was done by the third take just because I'm lazy.
Thanks for reading and listening and all comments and questions are welcomed.

[Rick Campbell]

Fred,

I listen to some of it. Good work. It's amazing what we can do in our home studios in today's world. I never used a Boss 1600, but a friend had one. I started with a Tascam 4 track cassette about 30 years ago and went through several different systems. My last recorder was a Roland 2480. I switched to digital with Presonus Studio One about 15 years ago. There's a few things I miss about the recorders, but the things you can do with a computer DAW are awesome. I guess the thing I miss most is that you're limited as to what you can do, whereas the computer DAW has so much stuff available with plugins, etc... that it's easy to get overwhelmed. If you're not careful, you'll spend more time experimenting with gear than you do making music. I try to maintain a balance.

My efforts are just for fun anyway. I guess if I was doing it everyday instead of once per month or so, I'd be better at it. If I had to go to a studio to do my stuff, I wouldn't do it. I do have a sense of loyalty to the players and singers that have given me so much enjoyment in the past, to pay tribute to their music, in my small way.

Again, good job. I'm glad to see people that are willing to learn to make these kind of recordings.

RC

[Jim Fogle]

Hi Fred,

Did you remove the link to the album? I'm not seeing one while looking with an Android Smartphone.

I had a BR-1200CD and really enjoyed it. I still have the drum audio loops for the built-in drum machine.

It's really too bad nobody currently makes a portable recording studio. Unfortunately the power of present day computer DAWs have encouraged manufacturers to concentrate on audio interfaces, portable digital recorders and mixing boards with built-in digital recorders.

[Fred Rogan]

thanks Rick. I appreciate your comments. things have changed and as much as I enjoy the BR-1600 I really enjoyed the simplicity of the Yamaha 4 track cassette recorder I had.
Jim I had not put a link because I don't do Spotify and I think most people do (or more people do than Apple Music). If you just search for Fred Rogan it should come up (not Fred Roggin the sportscaster from California). Yeah I hate that Boss discontinued the BR-1600. doesnt't Tascam make one?
thanks guys

[Jim Fogle]

Hi Fred,

You said you enjoyed a Yamaha 4 track recorder. Then you might like the TASCAM DP-006 https://tascam.com/us/product/dp-006. The DP-006 is based on the cassette porta-studios of old only faders instead of knobs. TASCAM also has the DP-24 with is a 24 track desktop recorder with built-in recording, editing and mixing capability. https://tascam.com/us/product/dp-24sd/

Zoom has the R12 https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/digital-mixe ... rders/r12/ and R20 https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/digital-mixe ... rders/r20/ but that is about all the porta-studio or multutrack studios available new.

It sure ain't what it use to be. Most hardware announcements now center either on hand held recorders or recorder built into mixers. Personally I don't care for either model.

[Fred Rogan]

thanks Jim
I was aware of the Tascam but had not seen the Zoom. I appreciate your comment!

[Fred Rogan]

Jim or anyone else:
in evaluating something like the Tascam or zoom machines, which spec or specs would have the most impact on fidelity?
thanks