Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder

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$147.00 to $272.00

4.5 (7)

2 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

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Page last updated Jun 25, 2026

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4.4 (638)

$272.00 Used

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4.0 (23)

$147.00 7 available Used

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Description

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The Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder serves as your on-the-go studio companion, perfect for musicians seeking to immortalize their creative spurts wherever they are. Lightweight yet powerful, this digital marvel simplifies the recording process, enabling you to focus on what truly matters - your music. With the capability to record four tracks simultaneously and playback eight tracks in total, the BR-800 ensures that no note goes unrecorded. Its versatility extends to serving as a direct USB interface for DAW recording, making it an indispensable tool for modern musicians. Whether you're laying down tracks in your bedroom or capturing live sessions, the BR-800 adapts seamlessly.

Key Features:

Simultaneous four-track recording capability, with a total of eight tracks for playback
Functions as a direct USB interface for easy DAW integration
Includes onboard drum tracks and effects for enhanced musical creation
Features four XLR inputs, accommodating a variety of instruments and microphones

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	BR-800 Portable Digital Recorder
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Made In	Taiwan
Categories	Portable Recorders

FAQs

How many tracks can the Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder handle simultaneously?: The Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder allows for 4-track simultaneous recording and 8-track simultaneous playback, plus a dedicated stereo rhythm track playback.
Does the Boss BR-800 function as a USB audio interface?: Yes, the Boss BR-800 can be used as a USB audio interface, making it versatile for both standalone recording and integration with a computer-based DAW setup.
What power options are available for the Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder?: The Boss BR-800 can be powered using six AA batteries, USB bus power, or the included AC adapter, providing flexibility for various recording environments.
Are there built-in effects on the Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder?: Yes, the BR-800 includes powerful guitar, bass, and vocal effects derived from BOSS's flagship processors, enhancing your recordings with professional-quality sound processing.
Can the Boss BR-800 record in stereo quickly?: The Boss BR-800 features Song Sketch recording, allowing for quick stereo capture in WAV format, ideal for capturing ideas on the fly.
Does the Boss BR-800 come with any software?: Yes, the Boss BR-800 includes Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 LE software, which provides full audio loops and backing tracks to complement your recording projects.

Videos

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Andertons Music Co

Boss BR-800 Portable Digital Recorder Overview & Demo Part 2

Andertons Music Co

Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder | PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Boss BR800 Tutorial by Ivan Katz

drivinivankatz

Something Borrowed: Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder - Better than TASCAM?

My Side of the Room

Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder | Gear4music

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile recording environment for professional-level sound manipulation
Built-in guitar, vocal effects, and drum kits enhance creative possibilities
Compact design suitable for home and remote recordings
Built-in phantom power supports high-quality condenser mics
Intuitive controls for laying down multiple tracks easily
Real-time effects playback without latency issues
Strong tutorial support available for learning the device
Pristine sound quality appreciated by experienced engineers
Allows for independent creation without disturbing others

CONS

Steep learning curve can be frustrating for new users
Menu navigation can hinder quick creative workflow
Difficulties with rhythm section editing within DAW
Track download process considered outdated and time-consuming
Onboard microphones may not meet high expectations

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder.

Use cases and applications

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Standalone recorders like the BR-800 are favored for capturing live rock band performances and songwriting over DAWs, especially for simpler tracking tasks.
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The Hi-Z input on the front is designed for passive pickups, such as guitars, basses, and Rhodes pianos.
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Stereo recording requires configuring inputs 1 and 2 as separate channels, accommodating devices with L/R outputs.
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Users seeking clean tones through pedals and amps find COSM amp models complicate distortion recording without muddy results.
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Features and functionality

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Punching in and out is easier on the BR-800 using a footswitch compared to DAWs, enhancing the recording workflow for live performances.
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The BR-800 can record up to four separate channels simultaneously, ideal for digitizing old four-track cassette recordings.
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The line input on the BR-800 is a stereo minijack, which can be selected as a discrete input or mixed to the main output.
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Only one of the four XLR inputs on the BR-800 provides phantom power, limiting stereo recording with condenser mics.
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Users report that channel 1 issues might require trying other inputs if adjustments are ineffective.
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The BR-800's COSM effects include a noise gate, useful for eliminating environmental hum.
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Comparisons

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The BR-800 is more suited for live instrument tracking, whereas DAWs excel in complex mixing or mastering scenarios like track automation or multiple take comping.
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User experience

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Transitioning from iPad GarageBand to standalone BR-800 is considered by users seeking more hands-on recording experiences after digital fatigue.
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Using breakout cables for stereo recording is common practice, and quality cables do not degrade audio quality.
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Owners using Marshall Haze 40 amps note that straight connections to the BR-800 work fine, but complex setups may introduce unwanted hum.
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Software and compatibility

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The BR-800 is noted for its limitations in rhythm track functionality, which may be a consideration for potential buyers.
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Setup and maintenance

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The input sensitivity knobs are ineffective when set to guitar/bass; switching to INPUT 1-4 activates them.
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Critic Reviews

BOSS BR-800 Digital Recorder Review - The Blogging Musician

adamharkus.com

The Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder is a mixed bag that shines as a practice tool and USB audio interface with impressive COSM vocal and amp models. It excels in convenience, offering latency-free recording and a useful "Song Sketch" mode. However, it's let down by limited drum and track editing capabilities, which may frustrate those looking to create complete songs without a DAW. The lack of comprehensive multi-track features is a notable drawback, especially given its price point. While it serves well in certain aspects, it ultimately reflects Boss's shift away from stand-alone multi-track formats.

neutral

Full Review

Boss BR-800 Digital Multitracker review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

BOSS's BR-800 Digital Multitracker refreshes the BR series with modern features and ease of use. It impresses with its intuitive interface, USB connectivity, and versatile effects, making it a suitable tool for guitarists. However, it falls short with limited phantom power support and a Windows-exclusive Sonar software. The BR-800's portability paired with its ability to act as an audio interface provides great flexibility, making it ideal for musicians looking for a compact recording solution. Despite some minor drawbacks, it remains a valuable addition to any setup.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

reaper25

238

about 8 years ago

Amazing for what it is

This audio interface / mini mixer taught me pretty much everything about mixing. Made me not afraid of clipping, realised clipping is where all the best sounds are. At first, a lot of the built in effects are not good in their digital form but just spend a little bit more time going through and experimenting, you can make your guitar directly injected into it sound like nothing before and you can really go crazy with the mastering and mastering effects because you almost don't have any inhibition on what to do while you do on a DAW. Yes it can be tedious and annoying but it still gets 5 stars.

23tmr

1062

almost 11 years ago

Great For Rough Ideas and a bit more (I'd do just under 4 box things if I could)

OK in short. Start with the phantom power issues it's a little annoying but it takes less than 10 seconds to restart and up until this point I've never lost any work its never posed a problem in any sort of way that would effect anything other than mild frustration. Loads of effects by no means as good quality or with the wide array tweaking options if you bought the FX pedals instead. But gives you a good idea of where to start with the necessary equipment when you get to the final draft and record or play live. Very clear sound and when you use the bulit in mics they do an amazing job of recording a room full of instruments, obviously it sounds rough but it's clear enough to pick out each instrument and really good for recording band practices. When recording a track at a time or recording say a rhythm guitar and vocal track simultaneously there are some times volume issues with one drowning out the other especially with the more distorted or heavier effects. This is my first and only digital recorder so have nothing to compare it to but overall really easy to use and with many other options and things to experiment with. Its really good for getting down ideas and its good for creating more ideas on top of that. Things you may not have thought of. I could go on but am not going to, i said in short, any questions feel free to ask.