424 outweigh digitals...?!!

[TOMMYIII]

I am new to rec. and bought a 424 a couple months ago. One thing I can't get over is that this TASCAM sounds better then so many 1000$ digital recorders, etc.. I mean I'm sure no expert but I do know what sounds good. I've laid many tracks and especially the electric guitar,[ 1 track with a 57 panned L, and 2 track with a cheap radio shack mic,panned R] seems to be so much fuller and real then any of these digitals. My only problem, well not only, is bouncing right and learning to mix to get a final product. Do any of you veterans agree with this at all? HasTAscam given us something that will stand above all in time. Only thing I wish is that the 424 had 8 tracks and the same features and sound. Quite an amazing machine and I haven't yet even been near to the boundaries of it.
BTW- A friend taped me once thru his boss digital hard disk recorder and the sound just sounded artificial. Any comments? Take care all,
TOMMY.. ..

[Track Rat]

Well Tommy, I don't agree. I have a Tascam 238 8 track and it's a dandy for sure and I've done some kick ass stuff on it but my 20 bit ADATs leave it in the dirt.

[Blue Bear Sound]

I agree with Track Rat...

Bruce

[SPINSTERWUN]

I am also in congruence with Track Rat and Bruce.

[TOMMYIII]

Well this guy agrees with me ,[ at least on the warm tape sound part], SO - case Closed I win! So Sorry!!
Just kidding of course- but I do believe the 424 , for a 4-track machine, is a great piece of equipment and also considering the price. Take care,
TOMMY.. ..




When recording to analog tape, most people try to push the recording level to the highest point they can get it on tape without distortion. This is done to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio; that is, in this case, the ratio of audio signal recorded on tape to the amount of inherent noise on analog tape. Essentially, recording at high levels on analog tape increases the clarity of the recording and keeps the inherent noise very low. In fact, many people like the sound of slight analog distortion. This occurs when the tape is overloaded with audio signal causing complete tape saturation. Overloading analog tape can create a pleasingly "warm" sound and the ability to do this is one reason why some people are still partial to the sound of analog recordings to digital recordings.

-- from Producing in the Home Studio with Pro Tools, by Dave Franz © 2001 Berklee Press

[charger]

Wow. I wrote almost the exact same paragraph when I worked writing manuals at Digidesign. And that guy gave me no credit! bastard!