Incredibly stupid newbie question involving Tascam 424 MKIIs...

[DamienC]

I thought about posting this to the Tascam forum, but I think it's too stupid of a question... but that's just paranoia talking. Anyways...

I've been saving up cash (which is hard to do when you are unemployed :P) for a Tascam 488. However, I'm really lazy and impatient and want something better than my Porta-02 NOW, and I might settle for a 424 MKII or III. My question is, how many tracks could you bounce using a 424, if any? Would I be better off just waiting to get a 488?

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Damien Vitamin C:]

I have a 488 I could sell you cheap. However, I won't!

With a few more dollars, you can get yourself a digital box, even if only the MD8 which I use, and you will get some very good results.


Bouncing you say? Nay, nay, I say. Bouncing has its place; however, if you have an 8 track or more, you don't need to bounce. Why not bounce? Well, man, if you bounce two tracks to one track, like bass and drums, you can only control the tweaks on that one track.

If you have a track with bass, and a track with drums, you can control the tweaks and EQ and reverb on each track. You certainly wouldn't want a vocal bounced to the bass track and the drum track; you'd wind up with KAKAMAIMEE.

So, check out the site and the tracks and the ins and the outs and then start recording some stuff.

Green Hornet

[micmac]

That's not a stupid question. I'd say it's a very good one that might interest a lot of people shopping for their first or second home multitracker.

Between 424 and 488, i'd go for the 488 without even thinking about it. If you decide to wait a bit and get the 488, i promise you you'll be glad you did. To bounce tracks on a 424 is just simply not an option if you want some decent sounding recordings. While saving money for your 488, a good idea is to look around for other machines in the same price range. Just make sure you decide on your budget and try to stick to it. Can't remember how much the 488 is, but i know you can get a decent digital 8-tracker for $540 which can't be that much more than what you have to dish out for a 488.

Good luck,

micmac

[faust54]

As far as bouncing, you can keep bouncing and bouncing , but the sound is going to suffer sooner than later.

[DamienC]

Thanks for all the information. I think I will end up waiting for a 488. I considered getting a digital multitrack, but they're quite pricey and cassette media just seems less expensive and easier to use. But I guess I really can't knock it until I try it, right? :P

[Dom Franco]

Cassettes are really low fidelity compared to mini-disc or hard disk recorders. You really should compare and listen!

I know you could find a used digital unit for under $400.00 US. And it will produce professional results not hissy crackles and pops like a cassette will.

Try. www.ugbm.com
or www. zzounds.com

The fostex and yamaha units are great!

Sincerely;
Dom Franco