Add multi-tracker to Juno?

Having USB doesn't necessarely means you have MIDI. Zoom states that

The R16 is the first recorder that incorporates the ability to generate a synchronization signal based on USB data transfer timing*.By connecting two R16 units via USB, you can designate one to function as a USB host and the other as a USB slave, allowing synchronized transport operation

But they say nothing about MIDI. The R16 also has no MIDI connectors so it makes me wonder. I would not bet on it.

I looked at the R16 a minute as a set of affordable faders.

It's not really going to do anything specifically for the Juno at all. It's more of an interface/control surface for your DAW or standalone recorder.

Tx guys, yes I agree, I read thru the specs and the lack of MIDI mention in all that blurb did make me suspicious. I would have checked further if the idea was correct.

As far as the idea goes, is it possible to do this if the tracker was midi sync capable?

You mean like a DAT?

I'm curious what you are after. If your goal is simply more tracks, why not use a computer?

Yes Db I just want more audio tracks, at least 8 more. I do not want to use a computer for various reasons.

I'm pretty sure the theory would work, I'm just checking because I've never seen anyone else do it so far, and thought I may be missing something silly or obvious.

It's purely a a hardware expansion.

I wouldn't call it an expansion persay, as it won't be that tightly integrated.

There are definitely options tho. I think you just need to look for something a little more powerful. ie Boss BR1600 or Tascam2488N or seriously a DAT at least has some backward compatibility for those really stubborn projects.

Those all have MIDI ports, which were I to venture a guess are for MMC/MTC sync.

Yeah wow they are both fairly monster for the job I was intending. I would end up just plugging the Juno into them, which isn't what I want.

BTW the cd drive on both looks completely crass - who uses that anymore?

I like the idea of the simple version that just becomes a dumb online audio bank. The more I think about it the better it gets. No waiting for Juno to load audio, less file transfer, multiple inputs to the tracker then going to the audio-in on Juno means no more switching cables round the back. Outputs from Juno to recorder as per normal. Hands on sliders for final mix downs, hardware eq per channel on the tracker etc.

If I want to sequence, sample or loop in the Juno I simply record a track from the tracker to a juno audio track and then chop it about. I could send finished tracks from the Juno back to the tracker, thus freeing up the juno's 4 tracks again. Sounds like flexability on a stick :)

Making the tracker the dumb slave keeps the Juno's mastering capabilities, which suits me fine, I am more than happy with it's output :)

The cheapest 8 track digital hard drive I can find with seperate EQ and of course midi sync, and I could be in heaven.

Sorry if I didn't look so close at those, I was mostly looking for MIDI ports (since noone seems to include MIDI sync in the specs). I do think it's not something you'll find in any of bargain 8 track digital recorders or portastudios.

You realize, you sort of just described the Juno-Gi, right?

Thanks for your help db - i appreciate your research for me :)

Yeah those machines look old maybe, cd drives and 5 pin din midi, at least we knew for sure in those days lol. I guess i thought anything with USB these days was automaticaly MIDI sync as well - but maybe not?

The juno-gi is 8 track, but you can't record 2+ channels at once, which is what I want for drum kit, and live band recording :) The tracker mentioned in first post can record all 8 at once - pretty cool and yet so cheap!

Maybe I will find out for sure if the USB carries sync - I really don't see why it shouldn't, specs say it hooks up to PC, that's possibly the same thing?