It has great bang for the buck. Unfortunately, it's not a real 16-track, it's a 12-track, because tracks 9-16 are permanently paired.

I had one for a couple of weeks, then sent it back and upgraded to the AW2816, because it doesn't have the paired outputs. (It also doesn't have the sample triggering pads, but that wasn't important to me.)

Both machines have a bit of a learning curve, but there are a couple of dedicated websites where you can find help. AW2816@yahoogroups.com AW16G@yahoogroups.com Also, the Yamaha website has a help section, and people there get back to you within 24 hours.

I love my AW2816. No more messing with mouses, hum from computer displays, poking at keyboards. The self-contained aspect really appeals to me. It's a pleasure to work with. Once you're up and running, you can operate the thing with one hand. Auto-punch works great.

The manual has a few sections with language so arcane you'd think it was written by a drunk lawyer.

--Alan Kirk

[This message was edited by Alan Kirk on 28 May 2003 at 04:41 PM.]

Do these tracks just not share a fader like a sub mix board ?

The paired tracks share a fader. You cannot independently adjust the volume of one side of the paired channels. You can sort of work around that, though, by using the two methods of panning Yamaha provides. However, it's a pain in the butt. If I recall correctly, it wasn't possible to compress just one side of the pair and there were other limitations on signal processing just one side of the pair.

Yamaha's philosophy about the paired channels appears to be that "most" people use a number of paired channels for, for example, stereo drum machine, stereo keyboards, stereo guitar, etc.

Since I don't use a drum machine, and since I don't automatically make stereo keyboard and guitar tracks, I found the permanently paired channel feature a severe, unacceptable limitation.

It may have 16 channels of playback, but due to the paired channel limitations, the AW16G, in my opinion, is only a 12-track machine.

I love the motorized faders of the AW2816. Since the faders on these types of devices often perform multiple functions, it is nice (with the 2816) to be able to switch from function-to-function and have the machine remember all the separate fader positions for each function setting. The 16G can't do that.

[This message was edited by Alan Kirk on 28 May 2003 at 04:40 PM.]

NOT...

I am not a fan of shared faders to begin with and now hearing from an experienced user what the drawbacks of the paired channels is points me towards a different machine.

I really prefer 16 real channels with 16 real faders...motorized or not...

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Playing PSG keeps you on your toes.

Uhmmmm..never heard of him....