Anyone used a tascam 788 or similar unit?

[Godsguitarist]

Hello everyone!! I've got a 424 I got for CHRISTmas, and I feel it's all ready hindering me. I need at least 8 tracks, and almost all of them are digital (of which is cool with me ). Does anyone have any comments on the 788? I'm thinking about upgrading within a few months (money is tight). I'm all ready sick of analog, plus I can get computer parts really, really cheap (hint..hard drives) because I am starting to build computers with my band mates soon (price lists for us are in the mail). If anyone could comment on this seemingly wonderful piece of equipment, I would be very grateful. I will probably post this twice, so look for it somewhere else, too. If you have any other suggestions on an 8 track (preferably digital) in the similar price range (around $800-$900 I think?), feel free to post it. Thanks in advance!!

[Gidge]

I can see you are anxious for information, but guys around here will flame you for posting the same question in more than one forum....I wont flame you cause you play guitar in God's band....what's he up to these days?...I hope he isnt still doing grunge....He met Kurt and his music went downhill from that...I rather in the 80's when he was doing the "hair band" thing...saw him open up for Poison...he rocked....

Btw, if you can swing a 16 track, do so...especially if you are recording live drums.......or you can go the computer DAW route and get as many tracks as the computer can handle....

[Godsguitarist]

hehe, cool. Thanks for your reply. I think the computer route would be really awesome because I will shortly be able to get computer parts for really cheap, but the portability problem comes in there. I'm not driving to Church yet, and I also play in the youth band, so that would be A LOT of equipment to get in one car (me, my bassist, and my rythm guitarist all ride together usually), but I don't think it would matter because by the time I get money to do what I want, I'll probably have a car. I'm HIGHLY considering a computer set up. I don't know, though. We'll see. Thanks for the suggestion. Anyone else?

Brandon

[Gidge]

If portability is an issue, a computer DAW would not be recommended....with a standalone unit, you will get the portability and the possibility(with some units)to fly the tracks into a computer for mixing or mastering.....

[Godsguitarist]

I had never thought about that!!!! Once I get my computer and a new unit, I can record it, and then send each of the eight tracks into my comp and mixdown there!! I don't know if it would work well or exactly how I would do it, but it's a good concept I suppose. Yeah, I don't know what I'll do. I may end up getting a comp to record with anyways and just move it once a week or maybe even talk the Church into buying one or something. We could do some cool effects with one and stuff. We're just now getting a lighting system and that would be awesome to control everything from a comp. I don't know. We'll see. Thanks for the inspiritation, Gidge!!

Brandon

[hixmix]

I used one. Then when I was finished with it, I moved on.

[Godsguitarist]

So, in otherwords, you're saying, it wasn't that great? That's ok, what I want probably won't be out for another couple of years or so, if ever, but that's because I want everything. I would LOVE to see a 24 bit, uncompressed, 24 track WITH 24 xlr and balanced 1/4" inputs that can also function unbalanced. It would also have a fully parametric eq, complete editing options, ALOT of other I/O options, and a built in CD-RW, plus other connections for connecting to a comp (probably IDE or SCSI...maybe firewire??). lol...but that's in a perfect world.....oh yeah, it could also record ALL tracks at once (my biggest hinderance with my price range right now, need 8, looks like 6 max right now). ANYWAYS....if anyone has anything else to say, feel free!!

Brandon