Korg D-1200 MKII

For a singer guitarist & occasional keyboardist, this machine beats my computer software hands down. I can lay down 30+ minutes of tracks with the D1200 MKII in the same time it takes me to get 30 seconds on the computer. However, doing editing functions, not dubbing, but selecting bits of the sound clip for processing, are easier on the computer. For this reason, it gets a 8 not a 10 and I still have to use a computer for occasional extensive rework.

For all other functions, the D1200 MK2 creams my high end daw for no fuss recording. Getting rid of the computer soundcards, bluescreens, complex HW/SW/HW/SW/SW/HW/HW/SW/ad nausea computer routing, etc... the D1200 takes about 30 minutes to actually reliably record. My computer daw with Motu 828MK3 & Ableton, Record, or Cakewalk took over 4 days to just get sound through which I've still yet to master in a few years. The D1200 takes about a week to master everything. It's as simple as the old Tascam 4 track but 100x better.

First a tip, for any professional level recording - USE top quality HEADPHONES to get the tracks down, trust me. Then move unto monitors for ambient tweaking.

Now, about the D1200...

At 24/44.1 uncompressed recording I get knockout sound that is
|| Pristine | Beautiful | Gorgeous | Perfect | Nuanced | WOW! ||

At 16bit, CD quality good enough for practice and 60/70's rock

The drum tracks are 5 star***** Excellent to get some tracks down fast and they more than once actually replaced the drummer.

The built in Chromatic tuner is 40% faster to tune than all my others.
The effects such as reverb are pristine and allow direct guitar plug in without that direct plug sound.

I'd like to add, the Tiltable LCD display is a great feature that lets you monitor all this pristine sound.

3+ years and never failed. The only problem is the headphone volume ctrl gives some static when turned. No noise ever gets to the recording which is always pristine. Other than that EVERYTHING on the D1200MK2 works perfect (and I'm tough on equip).

Good Reliability seems to be a pattern with Korg. I also have a Triton ProX88 & a Korg Tuner that work good as new. (Yes, I know its old and will be replacing the ProX soon)...

Never called

Unlike trying to be creative with the daw beast (see below), the D1200 MK2 makes being creative while recording almost a pleasure. It doesn't get in the way like computers do. There are actual knobs, sliders, and buttons you can reach over and instantly tweak.

The beast: Quad core/8G ram/2.5T sata/(and new 64bit ver of win 7). I use this beast only to process sound captured on the D1200. Been doing this for 3 years. Except for Reason 4, I still find computer recording kills the creative spirit. I did try Reason's new Record SW recently but group it with Cakewalk: a spirit killer. Ableton live is prob my fav daw SW however, I never use it for recording because the D1200 is 10x easier.

So, if you're frustrated with daws and if you can get a Korg recorder (even used if you must), this is a great device. I also use it for practice. Nothing like listening to your playing to make you a better player.

This is the latest version of Korgs D-1200.
Cool Dark Blue Finish(Matches My Triton Extreme).
Not dificult at all to use, I was able to track a few aprts in just a few minutes.
The manual is very clear and get you to were you want to be.
Not sure of the firmware/software version, its the latest version so I asume they have worked things out.
I havent updated it at all.
It was smartly designed with software dedicated knobs that make editing the guitar, bass and vocal patches quick and easy.

Korgs built in effects always sound good to me without much tweeking.

I am using this with a Yamaha ES-335 knock off, A Yamaha Active bass, A Korg Triton Extreme 61 key, Dual core athlon machine running Reason, Ableton and FL Studio, M-Audio BX-5a's and a Yamaha DTXpress Elctronic drum kit as well as a Shure SM-57 and a MXL condensor mic.

Everything seems to be very quiet and noise free.

Nice uncompressed sounding CD quality.
The only Gripe I have is that if you wish to record at 24bit you loose use of 6 tracks. But, since I mostly record at 16bit thats not a huge concern to me.

I havent had it long or taken it anyware but it seems tough enough to handle some road work.

Having had worked for a "Bigger" music chain, I had alot of people buy korg recorders and have very little complaints or breakage.
Cant say the same about Boss/Rolands(The rep was constantly in reloading the software on those VS Rolands).

Since I dont have ton of cash for two D-1200MKII's I do run without a backup.

I only give it an 8 cause I couldnt tell you much about relianility until I have had it for a year or two.

I have delt with the company direct and with reps and have to say I dont have a single complaint about their techs or people.

Very helpfull. E-mails are responded to fast.

I play every type of music from rock to nasty industrial. This works very well plus the USB conection alows me to edit and work on things post in a PC or Mac so thats very usefull.

I have been playing and recording for 15 year.

If someone stole it I would hurt em' and if I lost it I would shoot myself in the foot with a .45 .....

Its a far better made machine than the Tascams, Boss, Roland.
Its very comparable to Yamaha's quality(No Suprise as they were once the same company and are very friendly to one another, Heck they stager there releases of products as to not hurt one-another. Thats cool).

I do wish it a little bigger screen and a more graphical display for edits. I wouldnt need a PC at all.

I bought this machine so I wouldnt get all mucked up in the mire of trying to maintain my pc for recording.
So yes it helps me make music now. Rather than be a tech guy I get to be a song writter.

I think Korg is one of the better companys out there.

Unfortunatly it looks like this machine is being fazed out but for the $500 price tag it is worth it. Plus B&H Photo Video gives you a $50 gift card when you buy it.