Alesis HD24 Recorder

The Alesis HD24 is a great affordable solution for portable rigs and in the studio.  The HD24 enables engineers to record up to 24 tracks of high-resolution 24-bit recording at 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates.  This machine also has two swappable media bays that take standard hard drives, making saving and archiving sessions simple.

My favorite part of the HD24 is the ease of use.  You simply arm the tracks and hit record.  No clicks, no menus, just start recording.  But, because this machine records .wav files, you can import the recordings via the ethernet connection to your computer.  Often I have used this machine to capture live recordings and edit in a computer program later. 

HD24 also features ADAT Optical and ADAT Sync and can connect with a system that you may already have in place.  The HD24 can also be upgraded to HR24XR with the EC2 module. This user-installable option replaces the A/D and D/A converters with AKM converters used in the  Alesis MasterLink. EC2 improves performance at all sample rates and also expands analog and digital-input compatibility to include 88.2 and 96 kHz sample resolutions.

If you have a band or group and need to record multiple audio tracks instantly and easily, this is the perfect recorder for you.  This recorder could also be used in video production situations.  When recording in lower track count modes (ie: 8 tracks) the hard drives will record more time. 

You may be asking, why would I buy this unit over a comptuer?  Every situation is different, and just because computer programs and hardware have advanced, there is still something very simplistic about a hands on arming of a track and hitting record.  Also, how many times have you had a computer crash on you?

Recently I was performing on stage running a simple .wav file on an Apple Macbook.  I was using a backing track and out of no where, the file started skipping as the point the computer locked up.  Good thing I wasn't using a vocal track to disguise my voice or I would have had a Milli Vinilli moment!

In my opinion, the HD24 is more stable than a computer interface recorder, even with their advancements.  I don't care if you are running a Mac or PC, they all lock up occasionally.  If you are recording a crucial live event, look no further than the HD24!

I currently use Pro-Tools and have experience on several DAW's.  I would still choose this unit if recording a live session.  Of course, I would end up recording overdubs in studio with my DAW, but for the live event, I'd have my HD24 racked and ready.