Cassette deck for mixing -- Recommend??

[abc123]

I am totally new to this board and to the procedure of 4-track recording. I have a Fostex X-12 which I have learned how to use and now I want to mix. Online I have seen the following advertised - each for about $100.

Sony TC WE-305 Dual Cassette Deck

TEAC W600R Dual Well Cassette Deck

Questions - Would each of these be a good choice for mixing from a 4-track? Does anyone have direct experience with either of these? Can I take for granted that Cassette Decks such as these will have Line In for connection from the 4-track? Can I also assume that each will have a microphone jack? (The online specs do not refer to input.)

[The Green Hornet]

Yo ABC 124=BINGO:

Suggest you look for a DAT tape box to mix down if tape is what you want to do.

However, I use a Sony dual cassette deck, ES model. It is very good; but, it is not as good as a DAT would be. Depends on what product you want to get at the end of the mix.

At the moment, I use the Yamaha 2816 and I run old cassette tape stuff from long ago, recorded on a Tascam 488 and stuff from a MD8 and re-do it in 16 bit and then mix it. Nice results. Of course the Yamaha 2816 has a CDR recorder built in; so, I can easily go to CD. But, tape has a use -- it is cheap and good tape will give good results if mixed with blood, sweat, and beers.

But, again, I don't know exactly what quality you're after.

So, I'm just passing you a few ideas.

Green Hornet

[MiXit-G]

Your on the net so i assume you've got a computer(unless your sufing with the X-Box!!)

Mixing down to the PC is the option in my opinion insted of spending 100 smacks on another tape machine get yourself an average soundcard (thats all ya need at this stage) tha advantage is you can burn it to cd then, get a free recording program of the net (i think pro tools have got a demo out) even if it does'nt support multitracking all you need is to mix down to a wav.

But my brother mixes from 4-track to two track tape he has a blast, sounds a bit muddy somtimes but its way simple and he's a drummer so....

[abc123]

Thx to both for replies. At this point, I'm not aiming too high. Maybe will later. I know that sometimes that way is not most efficient use of funds. My start of this whole idea was purchase of Home Studio for about $70 to do my recording on computer. It wasn't too long before I put it aside == just don't find time for learning how it works. Then I saw Musicians Friend online ad for 4-track cassette recorder (Fostex X-12). I never knew there was such a thing -- Would have started there if I had known. So, I bought the 4-track and SP-1 mic on sale and did some recording. Now to do the mixing. I also downloaded demo of Cool Edit 2000 which supposedly could do computer mix - BUT, to move on, I think I will now get a Cassette deck & produce my first recording. lol

Thanks again.

[RWhite]

I go alone with MixIt-G. Even if you have something basic like a SoundBlaster, you can mix to that. You only need two tracks at mix down so it's not a biggie, even a SoundBlaster will be better (or as good) as a cassette deck.

If you are on a budget for software, you can download this as shareware:

http://www.goldwave.com/

[abc123]

The one issue probably haven't mentioned is that I do not have a Line In on my computer sound card. I am working with a Compaq laptop and there are only two 1/4" ports -- one for microphone and one for earphones. Am I wrong that a Line In would be needed to transfer from the 4-track? I have considered trying to transfer into the microphone jack but I figure that is not a good option.

[abc123]

Error correction - two 1/8" ports

[MiXit-G]

Try it through the mic line just remember to turn it down in your desktop volume fader, if it too high you may get distortion because the signal from you four track is line level, boosting it with a pre amp like that could result with a hot signal.

You really want a line level. what about those pcmcia sound cards for laptop?

[abc123]

I'll give it a shot -- thru the mic input. I have also wondered if there is a way of adapting such as PCMCIA. I do have a PC slot. I'll do some investigation on that. Otherwise, I think my sound-card is pretty decent so probably could do fair job. I have to do this stuff in bits and pieces cuz of other responsibilities. Will report my experience. Thanks.

[Aren]

Roland produce these cute little USB audio interfaces for laptops, which yuo can get for like 80$. They have RCA line in and line out, which is just what you need.
Cheaper, and a lot better then any cassete deck.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/56692

Oren

[abc123]

Aren -
Another thing to look into. I followed your link. Interesting. Will want to be sure it will do the job with my sound card. Funny how one can spend $50 here and $100 there and pretty soon a lot of investment. Sorry to hear about the latest bombing. Thanks for your input.

[Aren]

Originally posted by abc123
Aren -
Another thing to look into. I followed your link. Interesting. Will want to be sure it will do the job with my sound card. Funny how one can spend $50 here and $100 there and pretty soon a lot of investment. Sorry to hear about the latest bombing. Thanks for your input.

Yeah, a home studio is in fact a bottomless pit. Main thing is to concertrate on the gear you really need, and not on the gear that looks cool. Those little USB interfaces work with any USB equiped computer, regardless of the installed soundcard. I haven't heared the quality of this specific interface, but it's at least a few steps up from the generic soundcards installed in most laptops.
Thanks for the support. We don't get much of that these days...

Oren

[MiXit-G]

I just started a new project with an Israeli guy, he's going back this weekend to pick up the rest of his guitars and process his immigration papers.(i hope he comes back in one piece)

Top guy , talented too.

[Buffalo Bob]

I'm recording on a Yamaha MD4 minidisk. I've mixed to CD through N-Track, and mixed to my Tascam 302 MKII dual deck. I really prefer the cassette for rough mixes, it's a quality ($550) deck and I like the sound of tape compression. Of the two decks mentioned, I would get the Teac.


Bob
Shaken, not stirred