Boss BR Micro Recorder

Sprocket · April 29th, 2009, 11:49 AM

I found one of these on Craigslist for $150 from a recording student at the local tech school.
Boss BR Micro Recorder

Someone told me about this product JUST after I purchased my Loopstation, and Ive always had it in the back of my mind that this might help me moreso than the Loopstation, as I use my looper as a trainer mostly.
And the recording feature just sounds very useful to me...as upto this point I have no means of recording(or sharing).

Anybody got any experience with one of these?

Sprocket · April 29th, 2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprocket

Anybody got any experience with one of these?

...dang, nobody?

Sprocket · April 29th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Well since nobody here wants to talk about it....I find an online community for the BR Micro Recorder

Thatll pass the time at work

Sprocket · April 30th, 2009, 01:35 PM

I found another Micro BR forum and am really just trying to get acquainted with this.

I also found a nice external stereo mic for dirt cheap!

But havent even gotten a chance to kick the tires yet...Ive got a half dozen MP3s for songs Ive been working on, loaded up, but will know more later when I get some time with it to practice.

Sprocket · May 5th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Heres some videos I found

Recording with the Micro BR
Setting things up:

YouTube - Recording with Boss Micro BR - Part 1 -...

Recording and mixing

YouTube - Recording with Boss Micro BR - Part 2 -...

Mastering

YouTube - Recording with Boss Micro BR - Part 3 -...

Sprocket · May 18th, 2009, 05:24 PM

As noted, I bought my BR second hand off Craigslist...the guy demo'd it for me with batteries and it works great. BUT I got home and tried connecting my Boss PSA adapter and it never recognized the DC power and my batteries eventually drained.
I called Roland USA's tech department, and he just seemed to be reading a technical service bulletin to me, as he kept blaming an improper power source, which wasnt the case. I thought about it a for a bit, and decided I needed DC power for extended use...so I bit the bullet and called Roland back to send it in for repair.
The customer service lady told me they charge $75 an hour but charge in 15 min increments...so I figure a qualified tech could get it done in less than an hour, so I took my chances and sent it off to Roland.(even though she wasnt very re-assuring)
It had been a lil more than week since Id sent it off and my tracking # said it had been there for days, so I decided to call and inquire about my repair.
The customer service lady said that it wasnt finacially feesable to repair the unit...
...so they sent me a NEW one, free of charge! I checked the tracking and it should be here Wednesday.

I just wanted to let everyone know about the excellent customer service Ive received from Roland USA, and this isnt the first time Ive dealt with them.(but tech support leaves much to be desired)
After I got off the phone with them, I began to ponder all of the Boss, Roland, Vox, Korg products that I own...and suddenly got a lil more pride/satisfaction from my purchases.

Lowdown · May 22nd, 2009, 10:49 AM

Hey there Sprocket.
Sorry to see no one's really replied before,looks to me like not many of us jump over here often.
I don't have the micro but do have the BR-600 which I absolutely love.
It has everything I need at the moment after years of using an old analogue Tascam.
For anyone who has never used an analogue unit before,going to digital is akin to a bicycle - car.
Glad you worked your problem out...

Sprocket · May 22nd, 2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowdown

Hey there Sprocket.
Sorry to see no one's really replied before,looks to me like not many of us jump over here often.
I don't have the micro but do have the BR-600 which I absolutely love.
It has everything I need at the moment after years of using an old analogue Tascam.
For anyone who has never used an analogue unit before,going to digital is akin to a bicycle - car.
Glad you worked your problem out...

My replacement arrived on Wednesday...and OMG!
I was just expecting a new unit...but they sent me the whole schebang!

I didnt really get alot of time to bond with this before sending it in, but since it was gone I did alot of reading in those forums(posted above) and made myself familiar with it and its features.
Ive only had this thing back 2 days and think its the best piece of gear Ive purchased in the last 3 years...it does everything!
I like the MP3 trainer feature alot, and would have purchased it for that alone...but now Im(already) making my own drum tracks, recording rhythms to jam over, Im even using it to record my buddy's band practices(to help me get a handle on the live recording)...Ive even been using my headphones and just plugging straight in and jamming along with all the models and effects patches...and I loath modeling, but it just sounds so alive and real!
I know Im only scratching the surface...but if anything were to happen to this recorder, Id certainly buy another...and Im considering doing just that, so I can let my buddies borrow it and seeing what they come up with.

BTW, thanks for the reply...I know this section of the forum gets no (frequent)love, but I just had to post what Id got for future reference, somebody will buy one...maybe theyll find my posts helpful *shrug*
But from what I understand(from forums) is that BR600 is very similar to what Ive got as far as features, although youve probably got more.

Lowdown · May 24th, 2009, 07:13 AM

Good to see all worked out great for you.
Remember mate,it's not what you've got but how you use it!
Cheers & Beers...

Sprocket · June 19th, 2009, 05:49 PM

3 weeks into this thing and OH man am I learning new stuff!

I found a guy on the BR forums offering guitar lessons on improvising solos...so I took him up on the offer! Hes in Manchester and he sends me an MP3 backing track, tells me the lesson in a few words and diagrams...I complete the lesson and then send him back my recording over the backer...after 3 lessons Im soloing, learning chords by ear, my rhythms have improved and Im really get the hang of this recording/mastering stuff.

If I knew how to post an MP3 here I would, just to show just HOW AWESOME this thing is...and to show off my new found chops!

If you own a guitar...you really should get one of these!
(is anybody listening???)

And FWIW, I own 4 tube amps and havent fired one up since I got this damn thing. I normally loath modeling, but its so convenient and easy to use on the MBR that Ive managed to build me some really nice models with some great tone!

[edit]PS...the built in tuner works great too! Intonation is a breeze with this.

dhb2000usa · June 19th, 2009, 08:14 PM

Hey Sproket, glad to hear how much you're enjoying your BR. I don't have one, but about a year ago I bought a BR-600. I used it once then went on to something else and forgot about it. A couple of weeks ago I came across it and hooked it up and did some stuff. Great recorders and Boss knows how to make them easy to use.

Sprocket · June 20th, 2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhb2000usa

Hey Sproket, glad to hear how much you're enjoying your BR. I don't have one, but about a year ago I bought a BR-600. I used it once then went on to something else and forgot about it. A couple of weeks ago I came across it and hooked it up and did some stuff. Great recorders and Boss knows how to make them easy to use.

You should really check out Boss BR Community - Index...theyve got a section devoted to the BR-600 and there are alot of similar features inbetween the other BR models. Its very inspiring over there, as well as informative.

Wow...you went onto something else??

dhb2000usa · June 20th, 2009, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the link. I will certainly check it out. "Something Else". I was gigging a lot at the time and really didn't have a lot of time to play with it then I decided to look for a house so that took a lot of time on weekends etc....

Sprocket · June 20th, 2009, 11:04 AM

I figured it hafta be life getting in the way

I saw you joined up...thats a very unique forum in that its like the place shuts down after work, with almost no action in the forums except in the "post your MP3's" and collaborations sections. Its a like a forum, only different, in that everybody is actually busy doing instead of posting. I know its kept me busy.

jerryo · June 20th, 2009, 08:51 PM

I have a Boss Micro...

Its really awesome...I mainly just use it to play MP3 mp3 jam-tracks on ...

I plug the axe into it...set the mix levels and simply rock with the headphones.

...but other than that it can do pretty much anything.

Scott L · June 23rd, 2009, 07:39 AM

I used my Father's Day Special " Easier to Get Forgiveness " coupon and picked one of these up at GC Sunday.

This little thing does a lot - I think the owner's manual weighs more than the recorder.

Sprocket · June 23rd, 2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott L

I used my Father's Day Special " Easier to Get Forgiveness " coupon and picked one of these up at GC Sunday.

This little thing does a lot - I think the owner's manual weighs more than the recorder.

Keep the owners manual close by, but Id highly recommend that above mentioned forum for alot of tips and suggestions as well as ideas and inspiration.

Scott L · June 27th, 2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprocket

Keep the owners manual close by, but Id highly recommend that above mentioned forum for alot of tips and suggestions as well as ideas and inspiration.

Tonight I finally got a chances to sit down and noodle with this thing - Amazing is all I can say. What you get for under $200 is mind blowing. and just a little bigger than a an Ipod

I agree about the manual - there are a lot of buried features in there - but you have to recall how to access.

Having fun!

Sprocket · July 3rd, 2009, 11:57 AM

Scott L, have you got a chance to check out that forum?
Its really helped me shorten the gap in the learning curve.
BTW, "learning curve" has become my mantra, but Im still having so much fun with this silver brick!
Ive had mine almost 2 months now and Im noticing a big improvement, and so are my friends.
And Im finding new uses for it everyday!

Anybody else?

Scott L · July 8th, 2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprocket

Scott L, have you got a chance to check out that forum?
Its really helped me shorten the gap in the learning curve.
BTW, "learning curve" has become my mantra, but Im still having so much fun with this silver brick!
Ive had mine almost 2 months now and Im noticing a big improvement, and so are my friends.
And Im finding new uses for it everyday!

Anybody else?

I did check out the site - I need to spend more time with the Micro. I found a few sites for Backing Tracks to just play over - some excellent stuff out there.

Sprocket · July 8th, 2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott L

I did check out the site - I need to spend more time with the Micro. I found a few sites for Backing Tracks to just play over - some excellent stuff out there.

Scott, I dunno if you are like me in that I love to collect songbooks...and alot of them come with a "play along" CD, even alot of lesson books come with a CD. I rarely ever used these, but now with the MBR, Ive ripped almost all of these CDs and I load them up readily to the MBR and just jam along, IM even finding that they inspire me to go back and relearn alot of the stuff I thought Id learned without the CDs. Most of these CDs have 2 tracks for every song, one that you play along with and the other is usually a backer without the guitar parts.
You might look through all your old books.

Scott L · July 8th, 2009, 06:47 PM

Sproket,

I have a few more miles on me. I have a couple of guitars that are just a couple of years younger than you.

I never bought books, and am self taught by playing along with records as a teen. I also did a lot of jamming while in college and picked up a lot from playing at parties and open stage nights back in the day.

Offshore Angler · July 9th, 2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprocket

3 weeks into this thing and OH man am I learning new stuff!

I found a guy on the BR forums offering guitar lessons on improvising solos...so I took him up on the offer! Hes in Manchester and he sends me an MP3 backing track, tells me the lesson in a few words and diagrams...I complete the lesson and then send him back my recording over the backer...after 3 lessons Im soloing, learning chords by ear, my rhythms have improved and Im really get the hang of this recording/mastering stuff.

If I knew how to post an MP3 here I would, just to show just HOW AWESOME this thing is...and to show off my new found chops!

If you own a guitar...you really should get one of these!
(is anybody listening???)

And FWIW, I own 4 tube amps and havent fired one up since I got this damn thing. I normally loath modeling, but its so convenient and easy to use on the MBR that Ive managed to build me some really nice models with some great tone!

[edit]PS...the built in tuner works great too! Intonation is a breeze with this.

All you need to do is save it as an mp3, then get a free account at Soundclick.com. Upload the clip and when you play it back click on the full song info and copy the link and paste it here.

Sprocket · July 9th, 2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Offshore Angler

All you need to do is save it as an mp3, then get a free account at Soundclick.com. Upload the clip and when you play it back click on the full song info and copy the link and paste it here.

Im not quite ready for soundclick...but if you are interested, Ive been taking guitar lessons from a gentleman at the BRforums named "48"...and I have posted an improvised version of "the Thrill is Gone" over a backer that Im very proud of as this is the first time Ive ever been able to play it...Ive got 4 books with it in it...its taunted me for over a year...this guy helped me do so.
So if you wanna hear it all click the above link...I built that patch

Sadly its better than my playing

But I do think its a rather lively tone...I find without the noise suppression and compression it doesnt sound overly digital(and theres not alot of delay or reverb used), there is still life in the strings...if that makes sense?

Sprocket · July 9th, 2009, 05:21 PM

You know OFA, I keep listening to my track(after posting the link)...I think you might be a lil impressed with this recorder.
And realize, Im not trying to bash you in any way...but in my opinion, my recording sounds more "tube like" and lively than your Champ recording.
PS sorry if I was rather harsh the other day...Ive really got alot going on personally, and I didnt mean to take it out on you...I was more than likely being overly sensitive, sorry.
Regardless of your motive, thanks for the interest in my clip.

Offshore Angler · July 9th, 2009, 09:24 PM

Ain't no thang bro. We're all in this together. Don't sweat it. Just play.

Sprocket · July 10th, 2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Offshore Angler

Ain't no thang bro. We're all in this together. Don't sweat it. Just play.

If you dont mind, and since I was so full of critisism...what did you think?
BTW, this was my first recording Ive ever posted, ever...so opinions are welcomed...bout tone or playing.

Offshore Angler · July 10th, 2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprocket

If you dont mind, and since I was so full of critisism...what did you think?
BTW, this was my first recording Ive ever posted, ever...so opinions are welcomed...bout tone or playing.

It was cool. The tone is neat, but I think perhaps a bit dry. A bit of verb or delay tails would have filled it out a bit more. But that comes with time in the studio. The biggest difference between playing live and recording is that when you record you need to find a way to add the ambience of the room that you get in a live situation. Generally speaking, the closer the mike is to the cab, the less ambient the sound. With digital recorders it can be a challenge to make it sound live and not close-miked.

Technique-wise the thing you need to watch is your bends. They were off-pitch a few times. A little vibrato will go a long way to help the sustained notes too. I got the feeling a few times you were reacting to the guitar rather than making it say what you wanted to say. On a slow blues, there needs to be a fair amount of conviction in the notes. I guess the anaology I would make is the singer - you want them belting out the lyrics with conviction and not mumbling the words. That will come in time as your confidence improves and your repitiore of chops expands.

As far as phrasing, you seemed to usually come in on the first beat. Try coming in on the last beat or two of the preceding measure from time to time to give it a bit more flow, and don't be afraid to let a phrase continue past when it "should" stop. That will eliminate the mechanical aspect of technique and make your phrasing more organic and interesting to the listener.

Another trick you might try is to use more outside notes. A really easy way to do this when using pentatonics is to go to the scale of the V chord before the progression gets there. This will create a little dissonance that will resolve itself as the progression catches up. It's particularly effective on The Thrill is Gone because of the way the turn resolves from the V7# major to the V7 major after being minor for the I and the IV. (If you want to follow the turnaround, diminished runs in the V# and then the V will sound awesome too.)

But it's a good effort. The first time you go from playing live to recording it can be like learning all over again. Instead of flowing with the band and using all your senses, you are sitting on a chair with the cans on. It takes a few outings to really get comfortable with it. So I can appreciate what your doing. Recording and working with tracks is one of the keys to getting good. You can sit back and really listen to how it sounds and then take that feedback and apply it to your playing. You should be proud of what you did.

Offshore Angler · July 10th, 2009, 10:07 AM

Oh, forgot. You actually know two songs now. You could have easily have said the jam was Unchain My Heart!

Sprocket · July 10th, 2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Offshore Angler

It was cool. The tone is neat, but I think perhaps a bit dry. A bit of verb or delay tails would have filled it out a bit more. But that comes with time in the studio. The biggest difference between playing live and recording is that when you record you need to find a way to add the ambience of the room that you get in a live situation. Generally speaking, the closer the mike is to the cab, the less ambient the sound. With digital recorders it can be a challenge to make it sound live and not close-miked.

I have to send this "lesson" back to my teacher...I cant bury it in reverb and delay.
The reverb is post, but the guitar(delay) has got 120ms, 10% feedback and 15% effect...I use this delay formula for bout everything(except for U2 songs). I tend to use about 25% on the reverb...I like to add it til I get that "WOW" factor and then back it down a lil to something more reasonable....but with these lessons the effects have to fly under the radar or be subtle enough so he can hear all of my mistakes.

I do have much to learn bout recording, but Im takin it one step at a time...the lessons are actually helping learn recording and such...but Ive got much to learn and am currently short on free time to experiment alot.
Im also finding, that recording others is much easier!

Quote:

You should be proud of what you did.

Thank you sir, your comment, sincerely, was the high point of my week!

Sprocket · August 6th, 2009, 08:03 AM

Anybody else pick one of these up recently???

supersoldier71 · December 6th, 2009, 05:43 PM

Hey, Sprocket, I just picked up a Micro BR before Thanksgiving after gassing for one for a while. It's actually a very powerful tool once you get to know it a little. I still haven't produced a completed song, but that'll come shortly.

I've had some cool original song ideas that would have vanished into the ether without this thing, but now, I can lay down the riff and develop them.

One of my twin boys and his piano playing buddy have even laid down the beginnings of a song for this thing. I am glad I got the AC adapter when I ordered it though becuase as some of the other reviews I'd seen online said, these little things eat AA batteries. Also, as far as accessories go, I ordered the protective case off Sweetwater today to protect it, since this thing is gonna be my constant gig-bag companion.