Thanks jpmorris, really appreciate the advice.
I've found a Fostex R8 in good condition! Tell me what you think.
Fostex r8 reel to reel | eBay
Would I be able to do all three techniques with the Fostex because I may not always want to record straight to tape?
No, it can't do that. The R8 is a two-head machine, which may have almost halved the cost. The one you're looking at seems okay from the description but you never know until you've seen it. I've got lucky on ebay - but I've also had lemons.
And how would I plug it into the Motu?
I don't know what you're doing at the moment, so what I'm suggesting may not work. What I do myself is different (all tape, no DAW), and other folks may have better suggestions too, but I would consider this approach.
Make sure it makes sense and will work on your setup before bidding on the Fostex, if what I'm suggesting won't work or will cause problems, you'd probably be better off with the Revox and forgetting the tape multitracking business.
I'm also assuming that for the most part you are using real instruments and/or sound modules - if absolutely everything is softsynth based and taking place entirely inside the computer, you are going to have to loop them out and back in again, which will make life awkward.
The R8 has 8 inputs and 8 outputs. The MOTU supposedly has 10 inputs, though looking at it, it only really seems to have 6, and they've numbered two of the outputs as inputs.
I would probably wire it so that inputs 8-3 on the MOTU go to outputs 2-6 on the Fostex (the edge tracks are more prone to damage). If the two Hi-Z inputs on the front can also be used as line level, you could plug those in too and use all 8 tracks.
You will need an 8-way cable that goes from RCA/Phono to 1/4" Jack. I would then use inputs 2-6 on the Fostex (or all of them, as necessary) as the recording inputs instead of going straight into the MOTU.
I don't have a MOTU (and it looks like it would be a doorstop under linux if I did) and I don't know how you're using yours, or even what kind of instruments you're recording. For some stuff like guitars or mics you may need a DI box or preamp if you were relying on the MOTU to provide those features.
A small patchbay would be a good idea anyhow, since constantly plugging and unplugging inputs on the Fostex will weaken the connectors, and you probably want 1/4" inputs anyway (you can use a second 8-way cable loom to connect the patchbay to the Fostex' inputs).
To record on tape:
1. Set the MOTU to monitor the inputs so that you can hear what's going on.
2. On the Fostex, arm one or more of the tracks. Make the Fostex monitor the inputs as well to begin with so you can check the inputs are working okay.
3. Start recording on those tracks. Rewind the tape, play it back and make sure it recorded okay (you may need to disarm the tracks - I haven't used the R8 either)
4. Overdub more recordings on some more tracks as need be (I'm assuming a solo artist setup here)
5. On the DAW, arm the tracks on the MOTU that the Fostex is connected to, and record. Play the tape back. The taped tracks should now be in the DAW ready for editing and/or mixing.
And what function would the 'monitoring mode' on the Fostex perform?
Thanks.
When you're not recording to tape - remove the tape from the machine (the capstan will turn when tape is mounted, you don't want that to happen when you're not using it owing to wear and tear). Arm all the input tracks (The R8 may have an 'All Input' button like the decks I have, if so use that). This will put the Fostex into monitoring mode, and it will basically bypass the inputs straight through the deck and out the other side.