searching for a hard disk recording system to replace entire studio

[OneWorld]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.

How is it that a seller on ebay selling a DPS24 sets the pace for stupid pricing? as an example... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRISTINE-AKA ... :rk:4:pf:1 which is asking £1895, had increased his price a while back. no interest, people watching no doubt but no sale.

then there's this, but it gets worse...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AKAI-Profess ... :rk:2:pf:1

This seller is a third party, like Cash Converters but has no clue how to market the product. No evidence of it running, seller can't tell me much about it, client who wants the money won't get involved in answering basic questions. Seller has placed "or nearest offer" function, yet wants as near highest price possible. as there's no evidence of power on, etc no description of any faults or issues, etc. it's an untrusted sale.

these two sellers are using the pricing scale to inflate the value of an outdated machine with outdated parts availability. I know I'm taking a risk with an older machine but at least I can service / upgrade to a degree and get the results I want.

Fingers crossed. If only someone had one of the early 02r96 machines, that'd do, alright it needs a recorder linked and it's not portable, but for studio use, fine.

lew

You mention the 02r96, to get 24io ADAT, you could also consider the 01v96, it already has 8io ADAT and the addition of the MY16-AT card (£150-200 on eBay) would give you a further 16io ADAT

Back in the day I used to lust after the DPS24, but seeing as they are quite rare, and as such possibly difficult to find spares for, I went for the AW2400, these too have expansion slots and the Yamaha AT cards fit. However it took an eternity to transfer files to and from the DAW, which I used for finer edits - a 24 track project could only be transferred one track at a time. I sold it and got the DP24, this was much better but - no flying faders, short throw faders, no MIDI (but I did get it to sync to the DAW by way of USB, but it was hit and miss) and again the transfer of tracks to and from the DAW was patchy, sometimes it worked fine, next time I got 'file error'

I think had the HDR24 not been based on an ancient 386 PC motherboard (I was quoted £500 for a new motherboard!) I would have stayed with the HDR24

I think the thing that comes nearest to my preferences is the D32XD, but they are quite rare, and I had passed up the chance of one at £250!!!

[LewisAlexander2018]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.

How is it that a seller on ebay selling a DPS24 sets the pace for stupid pricing? as an example... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRISTINE-AKA ... :rk:4:pf:1 which is asking £1895, had increased his price a while back. no interest, people watching no doubt but no sale.

then there's this, but it gets worse...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AKAI-Profess ... :rk:2:pf:1

This seller is a third party, like Cash Converters but has no clue how to market the product. No evidence of it running, seller can't tell me much about it, client who wants the money won't get involved in answering basic questions. Seller has placed "or nearest offer" function, yet wants as near highest price possible. as there's no evidence of power on, etc no description of any faults or issues, etc. it's an untrusted sale.

these two sellers are using the pricing scale to inflate the value of an outdated machine with outdated parts availability. I know I'm taking a risk with an older machine but at least I can service / upgrade to a degree and get the results I want.

Fingers crossed. If only someone had one of the early 02r96 machines, that'd do, alright it needs a recorder linked and it's not portable, but for studio use, fine.

lew

You mention the 02r96, to get 24io ADAT, you could also consider the 01v96, it already has 8io ADAT and the addition of the MY16-AT card (£150-200 on eBay) would give you a further 16io ADAT

Back in the day I used to lust after the DPS24, but seeing as they are quite rare, and as such possibly difficult to find spares for, I went for the AW2400, these too have expansion slots and the Yamaha AT cards fit. However it took an eternity to transfer files to and from the DAW, which I used for finer edits - a 24 track project could only be transferred one track at a time. I sold it and got the DP24, this was much better but - no flying faders, short throw faders, no MIDI (but I did get it to sync to the DAW by way of USB, but it was hit and miss) and again the transfer of tracks to and from the DAW was patchy, sometimes it worked fine, next time I got 'file error'

I think had the HDR24 not been based on an ancient 386 PC motherboard (I was quoted £500 for a new motherboard!) I would have stayed with the HDR24

I think the thing that comes nearest to my preferences is the D32XD, but they are quite rare, and I had passed up the chance of one at £250!!!

I've been offered an aw2400 which would do the job, but knowing the amount of mics I use on certain locations this is where the DPS comes in, but considering the AW2400 is a bit on the lighter side, I may go for it. ok, drive will most likely need replacing and a good clean, but other than that, worth it. I'll let this chap know it's a yes.

The HDR2496 I used to run in two production environments, 1 being a college, the other, a client's studio. one was hooked to a 24-8 console as analogue, the other with a D8B. So had to do a bit of training privately on the HDR2496 and D8B so I could run the studios and teach students at the college.

[LewisAlexander2018]

I abandoned the AW2400 offered due to a fault indicated that isn't fixable without an entire new board, so still hunting. I don't know why, but today just feels like one of those days I wish I didn't wake up to. Getting tired, worn out, this body isn't exactly behaving itself so to speak, guess the treatments aren't working anymore. ah well, there's tomorrow.

[OneWorld]

Couple of points...

First, I would be extremely wary of anything on Gumtree. I have heard numerous tales of dodgy dealings and downright fraud. For that reason I've never considered it.

I'm just wondering whether what you want has to be one of these vintage machines. There are still all-in-one units available new in what seems to be your price-range and I'm wondering if you've considered any of those?

Beware all that enter the Gumtree (Mugtree) Portals!

So, I saw a bargain, not too cheap such that the item was alarmingly cheap, but cheaper than one might expect. So off I went, and arrived at the nether regions of some wind-blown overspill estate, with burnt out cars, shopping trolleys cast hither and thither, pit bulls straining at the leash and cue the Psycho type soundtrack. So I waded my way through grass that was waist high, and squeezed between 2 cars, one with a smashed windscreen, there was other detrius cast about the front 'garden' I knocked on the door and heard the dulcet tones of someone bellowing "Answer the effin door will yoh" An upstairs window opened and a young lady hallooed me, I explained I had come to buy the microphone for sale. The lady said put the money through the letter box and she'll lower the microphone down on a piece of string, she explained she could not come to the door as she was breast feeding her newly born baby.

I said OK, forget it, after a bit of argy-bargy the door opened, it was a young man who explained he was selling the mic for a friend so didn't know if it worked or not "but give us the money and if it doesn't work, bring it back" and he let me into the house as I wasn't going to spend £100 on the doorstep. Immediately I got inside I could see this looked like a fence's house, there was clutter everywhere, several LCDs stacked against the wall, watches scattered about the table etc etc etc

Then a few minutes later the cops bust in, they were raiding the place!!!!! they held us all, including the nursing mother. I was soon able to account for myself, when buying something from Gumtree I always take full details and put pics of the ad on my iPad, so the cops sent me on my way.

When I got home I looked at the seller's other items and there were literally scores of them, including antique watches, jewelery, designer clothes and handbags etc it was like that Posh Porn shop on telly, except everything was scattered all over the place.

Gumtree, use extreme caution and when you see adverts like "50inch LCD TV, no stand, no box, no remote, not manual, slight damage - £100ono" that's a metaphor for it's been ripped off someone's living room wall.

[OneWorld]

ah well, there's tomorrow.

That's what my old grandpappy used to say "At the end of the day, no matter what the conundrum, it'll either be fixed or f*cked, but the sun will still rise in the East tomorrow morning, if it didn't now that really would be a big deal"

[LewisAlexander2018]

Couple of points...

First, I would be extremely wary of anything on Gumtree. I have heard numerous tales of dodgy dealings and downright fraud. For that reason I've never considered it.

I'm just wondering whether what you want has to be one of these vintage machines. There are still all-in-one units available new in what seems to be your price-range and I'm wondering if you've considered any of those?

Beware all that enter the Gumtree (Mugtree) Portals!

So, I saw a bargain, not too cheap such that the item was alarmingly cheap, but cheaper than one might expect. So off I went, and arrived at the nether regions of some wind-blown overspill estate, with burnt out cars, shopping trolleys cast hither and thither, pit bulls straining at the leash and cue the Psycho type soundtrack. So I waded my way through grass that was waist high, and squeezed between 2 cars, one with a smashed windscreen, there was other detrius cast about the front 'garden' I knocked on the door and heard the dulcet tones of someone bellowing "Answer the effin door will yoh" An upstairs window opened and a young lady hallooed me, I explained I had come to buy the microphone for sale. The lady said put the money through the letter box and she'll lower the microphone down on a piece of string, she explained she could not come to the door as she was breast feeding her newly born baby.

I said OK, forget it, after a bit of argy-bargy the door opened, it was a young man who explained he was selling the mic for a friend so didn't know if it worked or not "but give us the money and if it doesn't work, bring it back" and he let me into the house as I wasn't going to spend £100 on the doorstep. Immediately I got inside I could see this looked like a fence's house, there was clutter everywhere, several LCDs stacked against the wall, watches scattered about the table etc etc etc

Then a few minutes later the cops bust in, they were raiding the place!!!!! they held us all, including the nursing mother. I was soon able to account for myself, when buying something from Gumtree I always take full details and put pics of the ad on my iPad, so the cops sent me on my way.

When I got home I looked at the seller's other items and there were literally scores of them, including antique watches, jewelery, designer clothes and handbags etc it was like that Posh Porn shop on telly, except everything was scattered all over the place.

Gumtree, use extreme caution and when you see adverts like "50inch LCD TV, no stand, no box, no remote, not manual, slight damage - £100ono" that's a metaphor for it's been ripped off someone's living room wall.

HOLY FECK!!!! yep reminded me of something similar years back.

have watched ebay, came across 2 AKAI DPS units. both damaged. one, the seller was honest, the other however, a 3rd party business with no knowledge claims fully working when in fact there's a damaged controller on display and no evidence of it running. reported this to Ebay, yet they said the seller was fine. yeah of course, breach advertising standards and seller guidelines of honest advertising, please do. lol

it's busy here with a few things going on.

lew

[LewisAlexander2018]

ah well, there's tomorrow.

That's what my old grandpappy used to say "At the end of the day, no matter what the conundrum, it'll either be fixed or f*cked, but the sun will still rise in the East tomorrow morning, if it didn't now that really would be a big deal"

Thank you, you just made me laugh! genius.

Well, let's see what NAMM come up with.... never know eh?

[FrankF]

Lewis,
a couple more long shots, but with potential.
There are 2 AW2400s for sale here in France: if you're still looking I can make enquiries on your behalf, ask for loads of photos etc.
They're too far away from me, otherwise I'd offer to go and test them myself. From the photos, they look to be in good nick. One has a an adat card (700€), and one doesn't (500€).

Regarding the risk factor: the French website I sent you links to (where I'm flogging one of my DPS24s) has a 3rd party secure payment system whereby your payment is held in escrow until you a) receive the item, and b) have tested it. I've used this system, and it works well.

Let me know if you're interested!
Frank

/Constructive Rant Mode On/
Why on Earth don't SOS use a secure payment system like this? Actually, while I'm at it, SOS could borrow a lot of good ideas from this website: when I sell an item, I can post as many hi-res photos as I wish, and I'm not limited to 500 piggin' characters to describe it, by 'eck. In fact, I can blather on to my heart's content, which I often do. Eh oui...
Also, when I'm searching for a specific item in the small ads, targeted ads appear telling me a) where I can buy a new version of said item, and b) exactly how much more it will cost me than the 2nd hand version I'm browsing.
Now I know SOS are not averse to targeted ads and ad revenue, 'cos they keep moaning about my ad blocker, so why aren't they using more advanced click-through software (or whatever it's called)? The French website couldn't care less, of course, as it still manages to show me a fine array of relevant, static (i.e. not annoying) ads, blocker or no blocker.
If anyone wants to look at the site (and test their French), here's a link to the small ads section for gear: if you're going on holiday to France, you might pick up a real bargain!
https://fr.audiofanzine.com/petites-annonces/
/GILET JAUNE MODE OFF/

[Hugh Robjohns]

/Constructive Rant Mode On/
Why on Earth don't SOS use a secure payment system like this?

Probably because we publish magazines, rather than provide financial services to manage a second-hand marketplace.

Seriously, SOS is a very small company that just doesnt have the resources to provide the kind of service you describe while still creating the world's best and most comprehemsive music technology magazine on two continents and with tablet and online versions as well. Added to which, there are other specialist companies that already exist in the market to do the managed second-hand sales thing (in the pro market if not the MI). It's hard enough dealing with all that we need to keeping the forum safe!

That said... maybe it could be an area to investigate in the future, but that's well above my pay grade!

[LewisAlexander2018]

Lewis,
a couple more long shots, but with potential.
There are 2 AW2400s for sale here in France: if you're still looking I can make enquiries on your behalf, ask for loads of photos etc.
They're too far away from me, otherwise I'd offer to go and test them myself. From the photos, they look to be in good nick. One has a an adat card (700€), and one doesn't (500€).

Regarding the risk factor: the French website I sent you links to (where I'm flogging one of my DPS24s) has a 3rd party secure payment system whereby your payment is held in escrow until you a) receive the item, and b) have tested it. I've used this system, and it works well.

Let me know if you're interested!
Frank

/Constructive Rant Mode On/
Why on Earth don't SOS use a secure payment system like this? Actually, while I'm at it, SOS could borrow a lot of good ideas from this website: when I sell an item, I can post as many hi-res photos as I wish, and I'm not limited to 500 piggin' characters to describe it, by 'eck. In fact, I can blather on to my heart's content, which I often do. Eh oui...
Also, when I'm searching for a specific item in the small ads, targeted ads appear telling me a) where I can buy a new version of said item, and b) exactly how much more it will cost me than the 2nd hand version I'm browsing.
Now I know SOS are not averse to targeted ads and ad revenue, 'cos they keep moaning about my ad blocker, so why aren't they using more advanced click-through software (or whatever it's called)? The French website couldn't care less, of course, as it still manages to show me a fine array of relevant, static (i.e. not annoying) ads, blocker or no blocker.
If anyone wants to look at the site (and test their French), here's a link to the small ads section for gear: if you're going on holiday to France, you might pick up a real bargain!
https://fr.audiofanzine.com/petites-annonces/
/GILET JAUNE MODE OFF/

Hi and thanks for your reply. The Yamaha AW2400 is not viable today. If the HDD fails, more than any other hard disk recorder, this model contains the OS as well, it's not flashed, therefore if the HDD fails, the AW2400 is stone dead. I spoke to a friend who is a Yamaha Rep, he told me about the amount of issues these had from a repair side of things and if I took one on, even today, you couldn't add a more modern HDD as the board rejects any kind of SATA converter and larger drives, therefore it has to be as near same spec drive as the original, also Yamaha would need to supply the OS CD to re-install the OS. don't know if they have any left. So he's advised against. said if anything, find an 02r96 used, upgrade to VCM software and ADAT it out to a recorder or go back to PT HD.

sorry about that.

lew

[LewisAlexander2018]

Just as reference. Today I removed the ad from Preloved as it was getting no support what so ever. My PAID gumtree ad was DELETED by gumtree after paying for it as it "was in the wrong place" so I want my money back from them. STAY AWAY from Gumtree. Crap support and just full of people who like to steal phone numbers, waste time. etc.

The search has ended sadly. I can't find anything viable. the Mackie D8b and HDR2496 is not viable any further as I've found out that these machines have their own deaths, also the fact that it's not portable in any way, so that's out either way. Have come across a few AKAI's but all damaged. Registered with DPS World akai forum, yet no registration confirmed or communication from the owners, etc so looks like that site is dead. Oh well. may as well just focus on just playing, rather than trying to do what I need to do. I've even been hunting for a MacPro with Protools within the £1000 budget. nothing.

[ConcertinaChap]

the world's best and most comprehensive music technology magazine on two continents

Not on the other four continents?

CC

[FrankF]

DPSWorld died at least a year ago - there's a Yahoo group for dps12/16/24, though.

DPS24 in Germany: the ad's in English, which is nice. (Jazz!)
https://www.zikinf.com/annonces/dispann ... ce=1643483

That's interesting info about the AW2400's OS: what a foolish decision by Yamaha!
Or perhaps I should say "what excellently cunning built-in obsolescence".

[Hugh Robjohns]

Not on the other four continents?

It is read on them all -- all seven -- but it's only physically created on two: here in the UK, and in the USA.



H

[LewisAlexander2018]

DPSWorld died at least a year ago - there's a Yahoo group for dps12/16/24, though.

DPS24 in Germany: the ad's in English, which is nice. (Jazz!)
https://www.zikinf.com/annonces/dispann ... ce=1643483

That's interesting info about the AW2400's OS: what a foolish decision by Yamaha!
Or perhaps I should say "what excellently cunning built-in obsolescence".

I cannot thank you enough. Though I have had to rely on google translate to register for the website, and then contact the seller, fingers crossed. says it has a few little issues, but I'm sure compared to the rest, these are fixable with some care. at least this has original packaging so looks like seller has had from new.

Thank you, I really appreciate it. Fingers crossed the seller is willing to ship to the UK or be flexible price wise. I don't want to be cheaky with the seller in any way.

[LewisAlexander2018]

Not on the other four continents?

It is read on them all -- all seven -- but it's only physically created on two: here in the UK, and in the USA.



H

SOS has to be THE BEST publication for Music and Instrument tech worldwide. I say it because I mean it. Editors are experienced people with a wealth of knowledge. Reviews are not biassed, they are structural and give you a scope of things to be aware of, articles are well thought out and assure the reader of experience and care. That's what I like about SOS. OK I'm not a paid subscriber, I should be really, but at the moment budget wise, certain things take more priority for the moment.

Keep up the good work guys.

lew

[FrankF]

SOS has to be THE BEST publication for Music and Instrument tech worldwide. I say it because I mean it.
lew

Well yeah, but Audiofanzine.fr has a better website, even though they do drive on the wrong side of t'road.

[LewisAlexander2018]

Well yeah, but Audiofanzine.fr has a better website, even though they do drive on the wrong side of t'road.

That website drives me mad at times lol, yes they do drive on the wrong side, they call cheese "fromige" (Richard Digance joke) but yep comes in useful lol

[FrankF]

In case you missed this info from the French website: the unit's been up for sale for about a month, so I'd deffo try an offer - dps24s shift slowly, I should know!
The seller has been registered there for 3 years, which is somewhat reassuring, although that website doesn't seem to have the same buyer protection as Audiofanzine.

I sold a DPS24 to a chap in Germany about a year ago (not this chap, I think!), and the shipping was about 100€, if I recall. Shame you couldn't get it on a Ryanair flight - you'd probably save money AND get to test it!

[LewisAlexander2018]

In case you missed this info from the French website: the unit's been up for sale for about a month, so I'd deffo try an offer - dps24s shift slowly, I should know!
The seller has been registered there for 3 years, which is somewhat reassuring, although that website doesn't seem to have the same buyer protection as Audiofanzine.

I sold a DPS24 to a chap in Germany about a year ago (not this chap, I think!), and the shipping was about 100€, if I recall. Shame you couldn't get it on a Ryanair flight - you'd probably save money AND get to test it!

well, flying isn't an option, no passport, yep, never left the UK. medical matters mean I'm not supposed to fly either, so, let's see. fingers crossed eh.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Well yeah, but Audiofanzine.fr has a better website...

Well, yeah, I don't doubt it... Valid feedback, certainly, but you're not really comparing apples with apples are you? Different businesses; different priorities.

H

[FrankF]

Actually, Hugh, I am, I'm comparing 2 websites. Obviously, Audiofanzine.fr don't produce a paper magazine, I get that, (but in a sense that's irrelevant, because I imagine your website doesn't subsidise a loss-making mag) but their website is just slicker than yours, and they use targeted ads, sorry to repeat myself, but it works, and brilliantly. Gearlust is satisfied, one way or another, but faster!
If SOS moans at me cos I use an ad-blocker, then obviously, ads are a part of your business, so why not use them more intelligently?
I mean no disrespect, but if you haven't looked at their site, then what I described earlier today will make no sense. Their website has a lively forum, it has product reviews, and it has a very sophisticated small-ads section. If your French is not up to it, just try clicking on stuff to get a feel for it: search for something in the small ads (oh, AND they have a forum for musicians to get in contact, form groups, etc.).
There's a lot more I could say, but Bacchus is calling, and anyway, I'm hijacking this thread...(however, PM me if you want to continue the discussion!).

[Hugh Robjohns]

Actually, Hugh, I am, I'm comparing 2 websites. Obviously, Audiofanzine.fr don't produce a paper magazine, I get that, (but in a sense that's irrelevant, because I imagine your website doesn't subsidise a loss-making mag) but their website is just slicker than yours, and they use targeted ads, sorry to repeat myself, but it works, and brilliantly. Gearlust is satisfied, one way or another, but faster!

I hear you! And I have rooted around the site once or twice, naturally.

But as I say, its run with completely different priorities (and resources too, I suspect) to those of SOS at the moment. Who knows what the future holds, but this is really not my area of knowledge or influence, I'm afraid.

H

[FrankF]

Lewis, I feel a little foolish posting this, as I pointed out the DPS24 ad to you in the first place, so I'll get the apology in first, but are you sure that's what you want?
Let me explain: I've owned 3 dps24s, and all 3 of them have had dodgy analogue inputs. Moreover, I've had to replace PSU and power distrib. cards in 2 of them, at a cost of several hundred dollars (VST in California still have parts, allegedly!), and finally, the OS is buggy, in several ways.
Now, that said, I still have and use 2 machines, so I must like sth about them , but really, if you can't get over to test that machine in Germany, I think you're taking a substantial risk.
Sorry to sound like an arse, but I just had to get that off my chest! Feel free to chuck comments back at me, either in public or in PM.

[LewisAlexander2018]

Lewis, I feel a little foolish posting this, as I pointed out the DPS24 ad to you in the first place, so I'll get the apology in first, but are you sure that's what you want?
Let me explain: I've owned 3 dps24s, and all 3 of them have had dodgy analogue inputs. Moreover, I've had to replace PSU and power distrib. cards in 2 of them, at a cost of several hundred dollars (VST in California still have parts, allegedly!), and finally, the OS is buggy, in several ways.
Now, that said, I still have and use 2 machines, so I must like sth about them , but really, if you can't get over to test that machine in Germany, I think you're taking a substantial risk.
Sorry to sound like an arse, but I just had to get that off my chest! Feel free to chuck comments back at me, either in public or in PM.

I'm aware of the bugs with the DPS24, that's not as bad as a mackie D8B crashing and locking up, Mackie TT24 with fader errors / CPU host error, Tascam SX1 with a crappy OS and parts which didn't add up right, etc. Yep, seller hasn't yet responded. If parts are going to he available to a degree, ok, but if you've had 2 with faults, others have had issues, fair enough. I'll pull the plug on this and somehow, christ knows how, have to sort something else out. Anyone got a yamaha 02r96 or DM2000? if not, time to bail out now, forget the plans and just play a feckin piano lol