Anyone currently using Radar or the HD24 with their DA7? I need to make a decision between these two recorders. I'll be using mainly external mic pre's with the recorder and using the DA7 mainly for mixing. The HD24 will allow me to invest more in mic pre's but I want to be sure the HD24 is as solid as Radar - which I hear is very solid.


Hank

I don't have much experience with the HD24 - however, I am currently using 2 RADARs with my tandem DA7 setup. The RADAR is, in my opinion, arguably the best sounding digital recorder made today - quite a few of the engineers & mixers I work with utilize the RADAR's converters as the front end to their Nuendo & Pro Tools rigs. The build is pro and user support from the manufacturer is impeccable.

Some RADAR users do complain about it's unique editing scheme, that it takes some getting used to. Also, if you are used to Pro Tools, Performer, etc., the waveform display is a bit archaic, not as flexible.

In my opinion, sound counts - try, if you can, to compare the RADAR with the HD24 side by side. I have done a fairly non-scientific comparison between RADAR & Pro Tools, Nuendo & Performer (with their proprietary hardware). I liked the sound of RADAR best.

Hank... we have an HD24 as one of the formats here and well into its second year of use, it's been flawless. As a stand alone unit, the HD's editing capabilities leave much to be desired but with the firewire kit or other, editing is a breeze.
HD24's drive format requires no defrag or other maintenance... you just slide a caddy in and fly. Audio wise, I've never found anything to complain about except one nit pick when pasting a segment of audio into a another song.... If the new segment is longer than the actual tune you're pasting it into, the HD24 has to lengthen the entire song. For some reason, this sometimes leaves a short burp of digital hash on the track you're pasting to. It's never actually part of the audio on the track, rather it happens at the end of the audio and just a minor annoyance.
On the other hand, I've heard nothing but good things about Radar. There is however a significant diff in cost. You have to figure part of it is the conversion scheme. The others, the HD24 is what it is... a straight 24 track recorder with very few bangles and whistles.
One thing is for sure, for use with DA-7s, the HD24 requires no add on option cards which in other systems can really add significantly to cost. With 24 balanced analogue 1/4" I/O and 3 lightpipe I/O, it's perfect for a DA-7 as long as you have three lightpipe option cards installed in your DA-7s. From the time we got this out of the box and wired up ready to go, it took all of twenty minutes.
Brent p.s. #165 and still a new member hehe

hd24 and DA7 all the way here, and not one problem. plus, go to staples to buy a new drive 80 gig for 40 bucks on a sunday morning. how easy is that?

-d. gauss

I've been using an HD24 for live recordings for a bit w/o a hitch! Transfer to Cubase SX or Pro Tools for mixdowns. Commercial release stuff!

And yes, the Radar does sound a bit better, but by the time it's dithered, mastered and reaches the end user, only we know the difference eh?

happy hunting!

the HD works. it does everything it says it does and for a great price. simple out of the box. alesis got it right this time and with a da7 its been a joy to work with.

Thanks for all the feedback - I think the HD24 will make the most sense for me right now.


Hank