Just got a few questions i was hoping someone might be able to help me with. First- for some reason there's no peak indicator for the line input (there is for the mic and guitar inputs), and I'm not sure what the ideal recording level would be. Should everything be hitting the zeroes? Or should it just occasionally be going up that high, if at all? Next, as far as the phantom power mic input- is it better to run it through a tube amp first, then from the amp into the recorder? Can you add some effects AFTER recording something, or just use the insert effects while recording? I downloaded the manual but it's mad confusing in some parts. Also if anyone could possibly give me a simple rundown of the track bounce/mastering process that would be dope too. I figure someone on here has experience with these since Roland and Boss are basically the same thing and should work well together. I got the br-900cd, hopefully someone on here has used one or something simmilar from that line of recorders. Thanks a lot.

I use the BR600, haven't tried the BR900cd. I don't think I can help much but I'll try anyway.

The line input is designed to be used when you're putting your instruments through a mixer before the recorder. It's assumed you've balanced your volume in the mixer before recording. That's why there's no VU bar.

When you say 'hitting zero all the time', I take it that's the BR900's VU peak? If so, it's best to only hit this in deliberate crescendos. Try to keep your volume peaking in the box below that & you won't overdrive/distort the audio as it's being recorded (if you don't want distortion). Any audiophiles feel free to step in & correct me on this.

The mic will more than likely sound better through a tube amp before the 900 (if you've got one). Make sure you've switched off phantom power before switching on the 900 & definitely before plugging the mic in or out. Phantom power is intended for use with a passive mic, if your mic doesn't take batteries then its passive.

As for the rest, not too sure. On the BR600 the effects can be switched on & off as you please from that button. With a little careful compression & EQ that should more or less do what you're after.

Good luck!

Just noticed I got a reply on this, thanks man.As far as the line in levels, I've tried recording in to the box below zero, but it's way too low of a volume if you're mastering right out of the box--I've been playing around with it some more and find if the meter goes almost all the way up in the loudest parts that makes for a pretty standard volume. Of course that's how shit pretty much always works whatever you're recording into,so it was a pretty stupid question really. And yea, I have a cheap Art tube mp-(studio v3) but it's actually pretty good for what it is-- got a somewhat high quality mic & figured that combined with the boss preamps I'd get a really good sound. I've read people saying that recording with just the boss alone can sound better than pro tools and reason, etc (with a decent condensor mic)-- don't know about that, but some extra warmth from a tube amp should only make things sound better. I also found a much simpler manual on roland.uk.com that explained the mix down and mastering process WAY more clearly than the manual i downloaded. It's actually a really easy thing. I just gotta pick up a midi cord for tracking shit out and I should be good to go. Thanks for taking the time Unfolding, peace.

You don't really need MIDI for that unless you make some beats and want to change them or add stuff later, or you have a bunch of MIDI sequenced stuff and the recorder can't handle all the inputs at once.

I used to use a Korg D12 recorder a lot, and the only time I used the MIDI was when I wasn't really happy with the rhythm in my drum machine but wanted to record a bunch of instruments on top, then go back and change the beats (or electronic instrument sounds) a little. It made my life a lot harder to use the MIDI on my recorder, there's a ton of settings on both machines to make, plus it can get even more complicated if there's tempo changes, so I would advise not to use it unless you really need to.

Hmmm. .I assumed it would be just as easy as using software to track out-you hit record and it triggers the sp.It's been a minute,but I remember with the sp you just hold a certain pad down while turning it on (can't remember which one) and it's ready to go. I haven't even looked into the process yet from the recorder side of things, just know that it's cappable. I just wanna be sure everythings lined up exactly as they are on the machine, which can a lot of times be hard to do manually. Thanks.

Had the BR-8 about 10 years go. Worked pretty good but zip drive is fucked up, I just record with cheap software with easy results.

Yea, I used to love me some reaper,lol.Still I just don't enjoy working with software as much as hardware. it's a quicker work flow & completely hands-on experience, plus there's always a lot of if's and's & but's with computers-I know people that have lost entire albums worth of material due to a hard drive crashing or some shit. Also if I'm ever in the position again where I don't have a computer,or just don't want one, which is probably likely at some point- I still have an all in one unit that can do basically anything software can, including burning off c.d.'s.With the sp,br,pre amp & mic I got a completely portable studio I can toss in a backpack. Not to mention I got it for 2 bills, and it's easily worth $400-450. For kids coming up or cats with some financial limitations, I think hardware is definitely a good way to go.

2nd. Software reliance is boring, there's too many programs out there that just give you the sound you want rather than encouraging you to go a little deeper & get some real rewarding tones.

Reads like you've put together a hell of a backpack studio there. The sound of tubes is something a computer will never be able to match... Until someone starts sticking tubes in 'em...

Glad I could be of some kind of help about the BR as well.