Boss BR-80
Best compact recorder for musicians needing on the go inspiration.
This portable multitrack recorder offers exceptional versatility for musicians. It seamlessly combines an 8-track digital studio for song creation, a high-quality stereo field recorder for capturing ideas, and an "eBand" jam station for practice. Featuring built-in microphones, extensive effects for various instruments and vocals, and direct recording to SD cards, it provides a complete solution for songwriting, practice, and spontaneous recording. Its compact and lightweight design ensures it's always ready to go, making it an indispensable tool for creative flexibility.
$199.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.1
/ 5
Category Rank
293
/ 373
#293 in Multitrack Recorders
Price vs Category Average
-57%
Below average
Modes
8
/ -Track Digital Studio, Stereo Field Recorder, eBand Jam Station
Who it's for
- Musicians on the go needing a complete creative toolkit
- Aspiring musicians and guitarists honing their skills
- Songwriters and performers wanting to capture spontaneous musical moments
Who should skip it
- Users accustomed to larger displays or simpler dedicated devices
- Bands or producers needing to record multiple instruments simultaneously
- Audio engineers and producers prioritizing pristine sound quality
Performance breakdown
Portability
Pocket-sized design makes it the ultimate companion for spontaneous songwriting sessions.
Versatility
Seamlessly bridges the gap between practice tool and professional studio recorder.
Onboard Effects
Extensive Boss modeling library delivers pro-grade tones without external gear.
Ease of Capture
Built-in microphones allow for instant, high-quality field recording on the fly.
Interface Complexity
Deep feature set requires a learning curve for full menu navigation.
Connectivity
USB functionality adds modern convenience for direct computer integration and file management.
Key Specs
Modes
8-Track Digital Studio, Stereo Field Recorder, eBand Jam Station
Records directly onto SD/SDHC cards (up to 32GB)
Built-in quality condenser microphones for stereo recording
Total Tracks
64
Simultaneous Playback Tracks
8
Simultaneous Recording Tracks
2
eBand function with Tempo Shift, Pitch Shift, Center Canceller
Guitar/Bass Sounds
Over 40 amp modelings & Boss effects
Know before you buy
The BR-80 features a MTR mode for 8-track digital studio recording, an eBand mode for jamming along to backing tracks, and a Field Recorder mode that utilizes the built-in stereo microphones for high-quality ambient capture.
Yes, the device functions as a USB audio interface, allowing you to record directly into your DAW or use the onboard effects for computer-based recording.
No, the BR-80 does not provide phantom power. It is designed to work with its built-in stereo microphones or line-level instruments plugged into the 1/4-inch or stereo mini-jack inputs.
You can record up to two tracks simultaneously and play back up to eight tracks at once. While the unit manages up to 64 virtual tracks for complex arrangements, the simultaneous playback limit is eight.
The recorder uses SD or SDHC cards for storage, supporting capacities up to 32GB. This allows for easy file transfers to your computer via the USB connection.
Yes, you can power the BR-80 via USB bus power when connected to a computer or by using a dedicated 9V AC adapter, which is sold separately.
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