Digital/Analog Pain

[reclusesf]

Hi, I'm a moron. Here's an email I've sent out to one of the members here:

I hope you'll forgive me for directly mailing you but I'm in pain and I enjoy your comments on the web. I recently bought a tascam 38 and a mackie, but I find myself worrying about replacing heads and basically wearing the machine out, as well as hating to wait while the machine rewinds. So, I'm thinking about going digital, but I'm really frightened I'll hate it. I like vinyl, and good, organic sounding low end. In your opinion, do you think it's possible to get good, smooth sound (low end) with a stand alone digital recorder, and if so do you have a preference? I've though about a PC or Mac based thing but I think the portability of the stand alones is going to sell me. Is it worth it to shell out the chunk that makes the differece between 16-bit and 24-bit? I just write songs on guitar with tube amps and a few effects, maybe add some drums and keys, samples, etc. I don't do electronic music -- is the compatibility with digital recording 'causing all the hype? Do the machines have phantom power?

Thanks.

[The Green Hornet]

Yo RECLUSEsf:

Yea and verily, most digital recording boxes have phantom power. Most mic preamps have phantoms in them too.

I use a Yamaha digital MD-8 which is an 8 track [you really need at least 8 tracks], recorder and the sound is much much better than my former TASCAM 488. The MD-8 has phantom power but I run my vocal mic through an ART pre and it has excellent phantoms and a nice smoooooth and melllllow sound.

This box is at a reasonable price if you shop the 800 numbers. So, I overdub with my drum machine, synth, and use a couple of effect boxes. The MD-8 has two loops for FX.

There are many other good boxes out there: you need to shop or visit someone's home studio and let your ears open up your wallet.

Have pffat sounds phun shopping.

Green Hornet

[Buck62]

Get yourself a digital 8~track machine and a POD and you'll be in "recording heaven."
Nuf said....
As far as brands and models go.... Yamaha MD8... Fostex FD-8... Korg D8... or Roland VS-840EX or VS-880EX.
All these machines are great, but they all have different features and prices. Do your homework and find out which one best suits your needs and pocketbook.

[This message has been edited by Buck62 (edited 01-21-2000).]