I recently spoke with Korg about their new product, the D888 – a live recorder designed to capture band rehearsals, gigs and other applications. Together, we came up with the Broadjam Blog Giveaway, an idea that I hope will benefit both broadjam members and Korg.
Here’s how it works: I try the product, if I like it, I write a blog about it. And as you can see, I’m writing a blog about the D888. If you’re interested in this product after reading this entry, post a comment telling Korg why you should have the product and how you would use it. Later, we’ll all vote on the best five comments, and one of you will walk away with a brand new D888.
As I mentioned, I finally had a chance to check out the Korg D888. Dennis, our long-time customer service master, wanted to record a song as a gift for his mom’s birthday. Since we didn’t have enough time for a studio recording, I told him to bring his guitar into my office, and we could try the new Korg thing. I brought my 220 and my 414 mics to see what kind of sound we could get. I was interested in the feature set, but more importantly, I wanted to know what kind of sound quality the D888 had.
Three songs later I had gotten totally lost in the production and forgotten that part of my mission was to check out this product. How many times have you set up to do a recording and something was unplugged, or you were chasing a problem that you couldn’t identify? Within 20 minutes of taking the D888 out of the box, we were recording his acoustic guitar. 20 minutes after I took it out of the box, I knew enough to get the project done. I don’t ever recall a session being this easy.
[BTW: The mic pre-amps are pristine and the A/D conversion is excellent, so sound quality wasn’t a problem. It ended up that the 414 was a little better sounding on the guitar than the 220. However, we recorded with both of them simultaneously.]
Once we were finished I plugged a USB cable from my laptop to the D888, grabbed the folders off the recorder’s hard drive and dragged them to my desktop. Since the D888 already records as WAV files, we were editing in minutes. If you don’t already have DAW software for your computer, no worries. The D888 comes with Cubase LE 4, which allows you edit, arrange, mix and master your multi-track live performance.
I’m anxious to record a live band. I actually think one could make an extra buck or two doing this. And since the D888 is set up to be a fully functional live mixer, a small band could use it as both their mixer and recorder at the same time. I wish I had one of these when I was playing live, but digital products didn’t exist. In fact, presets didn’t exist either, nor did MIDI, USB, hard drives…but that’s another blog.
For the sake of full disclosure, I consider many of Korg’s employees close friends of mine, as I have worked on numerous projects with them in past lives. Last year I had the chance to have breakfast with Mr. Katoh (Founder and Chairman of Korg) and his son Seiki (President of Korg) at the Musik Messe in Frankfurt. I now know why they are industry leaders. Year after year, they put out great products with passion that is unsurpassed in the music industry.
So here’s your chance. Korg has made a generous offer to the bloggers on broadjam, so I ask you to answer these questions in your post: What features of this product are most attractive to you? How would you use this product if you owned it?
Here is a link to the Korg website www.korg.com/d888. Check out the features and write your thoughts about this product. Most importantly, tell me how you would use it, and be specific.
Best of luck,
Roy
Posted by Broadjam on Nov 20, 2007 in Broadjam Blog
Sorry, I posted the last comment, but my name and information did not show up:
Name: Marcus Manderson
E-mail: admin@topnotchproductionz.com
Please also check out my myspace (www.myspace.com/dafingaz1) if you get a chance. Thanks…
Dec 18, 2007/1:33 pmI would like to try the Korg D888. I have been recording on computers since the nineties. I made midi recordings on dosb systems transfering that to tape then adding audio. Ive gone through the whole evolution. I think I’d like to try something new. This also seems more practicle for recording on a gig, particularly in a club.
Dec 18, 2007/2:00 amI would take this Korg D888 and smash the thing to the ground! Of course after i record my next gig Jan. 14th at Vintage Bar here in Hell’s Kitchen @ 51st street & 9th ave. Because after I post the live tunes on my website http://www.timrocksweb.com I’ll be so damn successful that I’ll buy a dozen of the damn things!
Dec 18, 2007/1:35 amI am currently trying to use an MBox on my PC and a recently acquired M-Audio Firewire 410 with my Powebook. But the learning curve is somewhat daunting, and all I want to do is record my roommate’s guitar parts to add to the songs he and I are writing, as well as other live parts. All my sequencing get’s done, but I am having a hard time trying to get our stuff complete without his parts, and other instruments…like my live synth lines and vocals. We jam a lot and I want to capture the best parts of those jams to create better songs.
Neither of us are especially great musicians, just guys who love listening to and creating music and the collaborative process. And we do what we can. He is an AIM graduate in Guitar but I am self taught on keyboards. He is 23 and I am 40 but we love a lot of the same music and have the same passion for it.
I am certain there are other musicians out there who are more deserving of it than we, and I hope they are the one’s who do receive it. But If I ever get the opportunity, I would use it to try and expand my and my friend’s musicality, and to grow as musicians. As it is now, I feel stunted by trying to work with the gear I have, and It should work, once I figure out how to do it.
And that’s the thing about the D888 that appeals to me, the ease of use, and the fact that it is in one potable unit. I would love to use it to record others as well, as we have friends who play live. And the D888 seems that it allows you to work quickly and intuitively, and I like the idea of that.
I’ve been using sequencers for years, and I enjoy that, but I prefer the collaborative process, and not being slowed down because I can’t figure out how to get the rest of the composition complete. It gets frustrating and we sometimes lose the groove, and technology should not hinder you, but help you. Korg has always known this, and it shows in their products. I have used them since the early 80′s when I bought my first Korg Poly 6. Since then I’ve had a second Poly 6, the DSS1 sampler, a few drum machines and more. So I am familiar with the family of Korg products and their devotion to the creative process and to the artist.
Who ever is lucky enough to get this gift, is truly lucky indeed.
Dec 17, 2007/10:34 pmThe Korg D888 is an absolute beauty. The ability to record 8 tracks simultaneously is one of D888’s finest features. This means that an entire band can be recorded at the same time without overdubbing. I recently produced a 5 tune demo for a local band with a recorder that would only record 2 tracks at a time. Being a 4 piece band we had to record three separate takes for each tune in order to complete the initial project recordings before editing. This meant running through each tune 3 times, one time for bass & drums, one for 2 guitars and one for vocals. It also meant that the lead vocalist occupied one track while the backup vocalist had to share a mic offering no opportunity to mix the backups separately without running through each tune a fourth time. Five tunes with 3 takes each equals a total 15 runs just to get the initial raw recording completed before any editing could begin. With the Korg D888 we could have simply mic’ed the drums as usual through a separate board (8 total mics on the drums) into one track and placed each guitar on a track along with bass and three vocals for a total of 6 tracks. The other 2 tracks could have been used to provide ambiance for the entire mix and everything done with a single cut.
The D888’s USB input makes connecting to any computer a snap and the fact that each channel can accept an XLR balanced input or a RCA line input adds even more versatility to the unit. No more using those awkward and expensive converter plug-ins when no XLR input is available. The 40 GB hard drive is ample storage for many hours of recording and multiple takes.
The Korg D888 would allow me to simplify the recording process and cut the time to lay down raw material to a mere 20% of what I am now capable of doing allowing for more accurate mixing and the ability to capture that “live” sound we all love. There are so many other things that I could say about the many features of the D888, however, to own this unit after many years of recording local bands the hard way would qualify me as a true professional
Tex
Dec 17, 2007/10:10 pmIf I were worthy enough to win the Korg D888, it would definitely add to my arsenal and up my recording drastically. Once I learn the hardware I would then add it to my mobile seminars that I have with university staff, faculty and community teenagers. By winning the Korg D888, it give me a chance the highlight it’s features and promote the product at the same time… To be truthful, I need Korg D888 to step it up and add a little flavor to the mix
Also, I would invite the Guitar Center Music Store Reps as a way to connect the community to the store reps. I am a producer/ poet who started back recording in 2003 after graduating from Western Washington University. I bought my first music software Reason 2.0 and recorded my first spoken word album. After making a few buck I added M-Audio FireWire Solo, Fostex Monitors, Radium 49 Keys, Trigger Finger, Mic & stands and great wires.
Sincerely,
I NEED THIS PRODUCT!
Dec 17, 2007/9:03 pmCedric
For all of the above and below reasons.
Seriously, we need it!
Lew
Dec 17, 2007/8:03 pmI have used Korg products of one type or another all my musical life from guitar effects pedals to a number of basic mixers and have never been dissapointed with the great quality and pounding this great equipment can withstand. I typically dont subscribe to ever doing anything within a blog so this is something new but it couldnt have come at a more opportune time. I have been in the process of re-building my tiny but very loved home studio as I have had a purpose this year in doing that as a little extra cash had come my way through extra gigging in 07. I just received a vintage TEAC 4 track reel to reel that I am pairing with a 4 year old BOSS digital multitrack machine. My goal of course is to be able to again go back to recording many of the original and cover songs that my late brother and I used to play together as a duo throughout the midwest in the supper/night club circuit in the middle 80′s and early 90′s. I play the guitar with bass lines intertwined and he played the drums as noone ever played them. He was incredible. A little over 11 years ago this last week, my brother Eddie who was my best friend, my inspiration as well as the best drummer in the world,, 27 years young, was shot by his roommate in Chicago as we rested in between gigs. Sadly he didnt make it and his musical legacy lives in nothing more than some metal Maxell cassettes that I have treasured close to my heart all these years. For these last eleven years I have wanted to take the music on these tapes and remix it to a point where I can present it to my dear mom as the greatest Christmas gift I can ever think of giving her. This is the reason for my again “newly found” interest in rebuilding my studio. The incredible multi track functions on the D888 and the ability of USB’ing the sound into my Mac Book and thinking about the quality of sound this would offer me when thinking about trying to extract any type of decent sounding mix when the music originates from a cassette tape would be the truest test of the quality one can gather from a superb mixer as this. Should the KORG powers feel that I am not worthy, I will still mix my late brothers music into my TEAC 3340 and my Boss mixer and I will do everything possible to get the best sounding mix for my Moms Christmas present but I really pray that the KORGSTERS will offer me this opportunity to truly test this fantastic piece of equipment with this challenge! Please visit me and my wife who now handles the drum beats that my sweet brother once did for our duo at http://www.hugoandheidiexperience.com and just stop to say hello. Let me show the world what a KORG D888 can truly do from a cassette!
Dec 17, 2007/7:55 pmI agree with DeepMuzik: Korg is top quality, every time I need some new gear I first have a look on Korg products. Such as my glorious Korg M3R rack synth that I still use succesfully after so many years (connected with a Yamaha WX11, since I’m a sax player other than a producer) and it never becomes old (was the very first one I bought, used, and I consider one of my best buy ever!)…
Dec 17, 2007/5:26 pmThis D888 is a great value for any digital recordman/studio, with a great quality output and easily may be connected with a USB 2.0, which is a great thing I believe. This D888 is a marvelous product as expected, a dream for my Christmas since I went far out of budget for this month!
The Korg brand alone speaks quality. I’m a true fan of there clarity. so i would expect nothing less from the D 888. I love the amount of tracks the D888 has 64 plus 1. 200 tracks is plenty to to get a couple nice albums done. USB 2.0 is a must these days
Dec 17, 2007/9:10 amthats a real plus. But portability is what makes The D888 a true value. I my self would use this recording studio to expand my work flow and extend my customer base. And the fact that it is space frendly will help me to be abel to keep my work area orginized the way I like it. and The D888 would be a great addition to my all digital set up. As well as to the over all quality of my music. But the main use would be to record music as i travel to diffrent places. Artist would love If I could bring the studio to them. Saves time and money. And would help me preserve my ideas and visions. Thanks For the Opp! skinn
We have recently renewed our membership with Broadjam as we feel it has been a valuable too to help us grow & promote our music..so too the features of the Korg D888 seem to promise great opportunities to futher our progress and would a great addition to our “Tools For Success”…would love to add it to our arsenal of songwriting and promotion bag of goodies…Thanks Broadjam for keeping apprised one more “Golden Compass” (smile) on the journey muscial bliss
Peace & Continued Blessings To All For The New Year
See ya At the Grammies (Smile)
Mikey P & Maddan
Dec 14, 2007/3:04 pmThere are hundreds of bands in Seattle (and.. well.. the world for that matter). We all fight for coveted time slots in coveted venues in an effort to get our music out for the most people to enjoy.
Image helps. Expensive equipment will give you the edge as well. A cleaver name, a gimmick, and of course good looks will always play to your favour. But the one thing that matters above all boils down to a simple question: Do you have it all together?
The music is what it’s all about. Living in the city, it’s hard to rehearse every night into the wee hours of the morning without getting on someone’s nerves. Believe me, I KNOW! But you gotta get your songs down and refine them to the best they can be.
Studio time is expensive, so you can’t just book a session every time you want to rehearse a new track. If only there was a a device that gave you the liberty to mix your live shows and track new tunes for later refinement.
Introducing the Korg D888. Man, what I would give to be able to have that baby on hand! It’s portable, so we could take it wherever we needed it: shows, full band rehearsals or those late-night bedroom jam sessions.. its ready whenever/wherever creativity strikes!
Tracking shows has always been hard, but if we had the D888, we could capture entire sets with it’s 40GB internal hard drive without complicating the house mix (which will please the sound guy too!).
Why do you think football players study game film? They want to always be better the next time around! Could you imagine if musicians had the same privilege? Now they do! You can USB your set or rehearsal right into your computer’s audio editing program and import the 44.1 kHz WAV files on to a disc for your band to prepare for the next gig or recording session. Before long, you’ll be using your D888 for making pristine-sounding live albums and the countless hours you’ve spent perfecting your sound will shine through!
Not to mention, it’s KORG. When have they ever let you down! This is an invaluable tool for any music group or solo artist.
Dec 8, 2007/4:26 pmSo I’m nursing one lulu of a non-alcoholic hangover from a night of no sleep. “Babs,” I says. “How about a nice, cool washrag for this aching head?”
Dec 8, 2007/1:00 am“J.T.,” she says. “How about you get your own cool washrag, and I’ll go out for a smoke. How ’bout that?”
That Babs. I gotta hand it to the dame, though. Following in her great gramma’s footsteps. Bonnie Kingston. Quits smoking at age 92 so she can train for the Atlanta marathon. Nothin’ surprises me any more.
So Babs walks in at 7:30 sharp nursing a cardboard cup of Shoney’s coffee and an egg and cheese sandwich on whole wheat with pickles and mayo. Same breakfast every day, followed by a smoke break, which I warn her about incessantly in spite of the good genetic gamble she’s got on account o’ Gramma Kingston.
“How’d the session go?” She says. And that’s when I ask for the washrag, and that’s when she cracks open her monogrammed cigarette case. How’d the session go, indeed.
Okay, first of all, if it wasn’t for the clients, I’d be out of a job and about $250 grand in the hole what with all this recording equipment tonnage lyin’ around and most of it collectin’ dust. But this client comes in talkin’ about live field recordings to round out the project, backlit LCD panels for night recordings in the Great Smoky Mountains, switchable phantom power for all the different microphones she’s bringin’ to the gig.
Oh. Did I mention my client is a she? And what a she! A doll to write home about. But that’s a different movie. Where was I?
Oh, yeah! Phantom power. She’s talkin’ about tyin’ each output directly to a particular mixer channel and pumpin’ in up to 11 different effects on the fly. I’m thinkin’, “Yeah, lookit! I’m gonna unbolt this monster mixer from the floor and take it to the Great Smoky Mountains!”
Then she tells me she’s planning on 120 hours of recording so she’ll have “Plenty to choose from, ” as she says. Okay. I’m gonna need at least a 40 GB hard drive for this project. So what do I do? “Can you do the gig?” she wants to know.
“Sure,” I says, without so much as a pause, so she writes the check. A big, fat one to make you sit up and beg. “I’ll figure it out,” I think to myself. She closes up her purse, gives me a wink and just like that, I’m steppin’ off the edge.
So, in walks Babs from her smoke break with the mail. “Somethin’ from Korg,” she says. “Some kinda portable field recorder. Who needs it?” She’s winkin’ at me, too, and I’m thinkin’ I’m a lucky guy what with all these winkin’ dolls.
I’m climbin’ over the desk. “Let me see that!”
She hands over the flyer and I think I’m seein’ triple from the woeful lack of REMs.
“D888,” it says. I read it again. Yep. Three eights in a row. 8 inputs, 8 outputs, 8 track digital.
“Get me KORG on the line, Babs.”
“Line 2,” she says.
“Thanks, Babs,” I say. The line is ringing.
“So, who’s the sugar mama with the cash flow?” The line connects.
“Just the start of a beautiful friendship, Babs.”
“KORG, Inc. May I help you?”
I have been blessed with the ability to use sub-par equipment and get great results. I am from the old school were we use to ping pong two tape recorders back and forth until we had layers of audio, call it first generation sequencing. I did a project on cake walk pro 5 or 6 once. The project still gets radio play in a major market after 7 years. I have done complete orchestrations on my 88 key Triton Pro x which I recently had to sell,(best board I ever had). I had the first PC based program of Pro tools LE of which I did another project. The computer crashed about 6 times resulting in 100′s of dollars in repair bills and months of lost time. I want to get the Korg D888 because I trust Korg with my dreams and talents and I want to get away from the computers. I just want for once to use a hearty stand alone unit to lay down some killer tracks to follow up my first couple of projects. I will make you proud Korg. P.S. I miss my Triton.
http://www.NathanielLigons2.com
Dec 5, 2007/8:33 pmI had previously owned a Korg D16 years ago, and I liked the audio quality it produced. I am no longer doing any personal recording and so do not need the D888.
However, the church I am attending really would benefit from something like this. We are a small congregation and so funds are limited and we could never afford this product. The pastor is a chaplin to the local National Guard unit that sends soldiers to Iraq. It turns out they enjoy listening to his web broadcasts, but he only has a couple of sermons uploaded to his website, and these were produced and uploaded by his son, who is away lives out of state and cannot do this every week.
If we owned the D888 we could record each Sunday’s sermon and I would then burn them as standard wav files onto CD for those in the local area that are currently only able to get them from a cassette, which is how they currently are recorded. We only have cassette, and it is over ten years old
I would then convert all the sermons to mp3 and upload them to his website, http://www.daveluther.com, so that those who wish to listen to them, such as our troops in Iraq, would be able to.
He is well loved by both the local community, and soldiers half way around the world who have never met him. I would like to surprise him with this gift as it would be something that he would appreciate, almost as much as I would.
Tim
Dec 5, 2007/8:22 pm