So, this week is the first round I’ve missed (last week I technically tried to submit something).

I usually end up throwing something together Sunday night at the last minute. This week was no different, with Life occupying the whole week until late Sunday. However, I failed this time because Propellerhead Record with my M-Audio Firewire kept crashing my macbook. I couldn’t get anything recorded. I gave up after about 2+ hours of trying.

Maddeningly, this would be enough time for me to play about a dozen three-chord progressions and solos if I didn’t have to screw with any recording or computer stuff.

So, my question:

What’s the EASIEST solid state device on which I can record and mix multiple tracks, then get it into an MP3 on my Mac with minimal steps? I don’t want anything fancy, just something I can plug my pedals + boss loop station into, throw down a beat, bass, rhythm, solo, record the master mix out to an MP3, and be done with it.

By “EASY”, I mean minimum number of buttons to push and software to run to record these 4 tracks and turn them into an MP 3. Ideally, it should still have punching, bouncing, soloing, etc so I can mix/produce in Reason/Record if I want.

What do you guys use?

Thanks,
— Chad