Boss Micro BR

Reviews | Boss Micro BR BR-80
90
T
here have been other
pocket-sized hardware
multi-track studios, not least
the original Boss Micro BR
launched 5 years ago, but with a sleek
design and minimalist set of controls,
their new BR-80 model is the most
graceful yet… and it doesn’t half pack
a punch too. What you’re getting is a
versatile, hand-held and completely
portable little widget that is an 8-track
digital multi-tracker, a stereo fi eld
recorder, a musician’s practice tool and
USB audio interface all rolled into one.
Flexible friend
The BR-80 is based around three
working modes. The fi rst of these is
Live Rec, where the unit makes use
of a pair of built-in microphones to
instantly make stereo recordings – great
for recording gigs, rehearsals or random
musical ideas whenever inspiration
strikes. Any audio you record in this
mode can also be used as the initial
tracks of a song if you switch to MTR
mode and import the fi le into the
8-track multi-tracker.
The multi-tracker enables you to
record up to two tracks at a time, using
the inbuilt mics, a 1/4” jack input that
will take a guitar or microphone, or a
stereo line input. There are a bunch of
insert effects that can be recorded with
your signal. Most are fully produced
COSM amp/effects sounds for guitarists,
but there are also several for vocalists,
including some useful doubling and
harmony effects as well as pitch
correction. Besides the eight tracks,
there’s a dedicated stereo rhythm track
with a library of onboard patterns that
can be sequenced together to make
a complete song – you can also create
your own by importing MIDI fi les. Each
recording track has eight virtual tracks,
allowing different takes of each
performance and, with 3-band EQ,
reverb, panning and volume for each
track, there’s scope for creative mixing
– with onboard mastering effects to
apply a fi nal polish.
Multi benefi ts
The third mode of operation is eBand,
based on the dedicated Boss JS-8
practice tool, enabling you to jam along
with rhythm tracks and pre-recorded
music, perhaps while making use of
phrase training facilities – variable
speed and pitch, centre-cancelling
and looped repeat. A range of onboard
tracks plugged through the COSM
effects are suited to guitarists, but you
could play along with any instrument.
You can also import CD, MP3, and WAV
audio fi les from a computer via USB (or
use something of your own that you’ve
recorded on the BR-80).
Operation is straightforward, with
a clear display and intuitive navigation
around it via a 4-way cursor and dial,
and linking with a computer is seamless
– the BR-80 comes with Sonar X1 LE
but the bundled Wave Converter
software enables easy exchange of data
between the BR-80 and any computer-
based DAW. You can also record straight
to a DAW using the BR-80 as an audio
interface, possibly while using the insert
effects. Multi-tracker? Sure. Multi-
purpose? Absolutely.
Pocket power
If you want to make music on the move,
you could slip a mobile phone loaded
with a bunch of musical apps into your
pocket but, if quality audio recordings
made with a minimum of fuss are the
order of the day, whether that be
impromptu idea archiving, formal stereo
recording or painstaking demo creation,
a dedicated unit like this takes some
beating. Some have been predicting the
death of the hardware multi-tracker for
a while now, but the mix of facilities
that Boss has packed into the BR-80
should ensure that the genre will go on
and on and on…
WHAT IS IT?
Personal portable
multi-track/stereo
recorder with audio
interface capability
and practice facilities
CONTACT
Who: Roland UK
Tel: [phone]
Web: roland.co.uk
HIGHLIGHTS
1 Quick stereo recording
via inbuilt mics
2 Comprehensive
multi-tracking facilities
3 Onboard tracks for
music practice
SPECS
Recording Media: SDHC
Memory Card (4 GB to 32
GB), SD Memory Card (1 GB
to 2 GB)
File Type: WAV, MP3
Playback Tracks: 8
Simultaneous Recording
Tracks: 2
Connections: 1/4” guitar/
mic jack input, stereo
minijack line input, stereo
minijack phones/line
output, USB
Power supply: DC 9 V: AC
Adaptor (PSA series: sold
separately), Alkaline battery
(AA, LR6) x 2, Rechargeable
Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 2,
USB bus power
Dimensions:
138mm x 86mm x
22mm
Weight:
140g
Boss Micro BR
BR-80 | £235
What’s the most useful musical tool that you could
easily slip into your pocket? John Andrews reckons
it might just be the Boss BR-80
VERDICT
BUILD
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VALUE
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EASE OF USE
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VERSATILITY
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RESULTS
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The musician’s go-anywhere
companion – record, compose
or practice wherever you may be.
FMU246.rev_boss.indd 90 10/11/11 4:57:17 PM