While looking for a digital recorder , I was wondering whats the difference between a 788t and Cl-8 set up instead of my sd 442 and a new 744t
Is there something Im missing in thinking the 788t/cl8 would act as a field mixer to camera and independent recorder
Ive read the specs and it seems I can route the inputs to L.R for the camera whilst indepently recording on the internal drive and using the cl-8 to mix

Given Sound devices have just launched a reasonably new 5 ch mixer which if combined with the 744t would work out as the same price as the 788t/cl8, but the latter gives you 3 extra digital channels........... am I missing something...... is it too difficult or awkward to replace a "traditional" mixer

Dont know anyone with one so was hoping someone here with experience could tell me the pro's and cons as its a substantial cost to chance

Thanks in advance

The CL8 is a control surface.. Hire one to evaluate The 302/442/552 mixers and the 700 series recorders are sonically alike in many respects... The 'recorder' in the 552's internal recorder was designed to be rudimentary backup. Does it sound good? As good or better than a 'line-in' fed H2 or 620 IMO.

Unfortunately Im unaware of anywhere here that I can hire one , even to buy one i'll probably have to import from the UK or US
Just wondering if the CL-8 control surface gets rid of the need for a mixer .... ive a feeling it doesn't ..... why would anyone buy the new 552 mixer and seperate recorder 744t if it did...............

Thanks for the information on the 'internal' recorder though

The CL-8 does not have any hardware pre-amps / inputs.
CL-8 Controller for 788T | Sound Devices, LLC (http://www.sounddevices.com/products/cl8.htm)
If you do not understand the concept and the CL-8's features, you may be better off using a 788 as a stand-alone recorder for a while.
A 552/744 set-up would still only yield four individual tracks. Using the 552's aux. recorder's two tracks would be in a separate file which post would have to deal with.