Trying to figure out if I should get a 4 or 8 track or one at all.

[Mongoo]

Hi, I've been going through a bunch of Ideas as what would be the best way to get into music recording. I'm mainly in it for my own efforts but once I have the equipment it would be nice to make some of my money back by recording other people.

So...

I've got this guitar center cataloge and it has various different tascams in it. All of which I get confussed with just how many tracks it can record at once, how many total (with over dubing), what and how many inputes they have, 1/4" & XLR, and if you can send tracks to the computer without loseing their sync.

These are my main concerns. And I don't know what I need but what I think I need would be. . .

Is a 8 track with 8 1/4" & pre amped XLR inputes. Each track has at least a 3 ban Eq, It records digitally, and you can send the tracks over firewire or better yet USB 2 to a laptop/desktop for editing and NOT have any problems with the audio sync.

Am I just dreaming or does such a device exist with out costing a fortune?

Also DO I need this? I don't know, from your experiance do you need those things? How much would something like this cost? How much do others cost with less options? Any info would help alot.

Thanks

[Atwork]

With the latest version of the Tascam 788 digital 8-track you transfer Wav files between the 788 and a PC, though you have to get the optional extra CD burner to be able to do this. I read one post on the Tascam 788 forum saying you can only transfer mono files this way, but I don't see how this can be true.

The 788 has six simultaneous inputs, including aux. inputs. It doesn't have XLR inputs but does come with a couple of XLR adaptors. The EQ on this machine is pretty good. The 788 goes for around $500 to $600. The CD burner is an extra $200 to $300.

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Mongoo bongo bongo who will never leave the congo:

You might as well examine the SIAB boxes out there. The Yamaha 4416, 2816, and 16 AW all can record 8 tracks at once.

The 4416 has 16 faders which many folks like; the others have only 8 faders that run 16 tracks. I have never had need to record more than a couple tracks at a time while overdubbing. Depends on what you need and what your objectives are.

But, the units I mentioned, as well as Korg and Roland SIAB's come with a built in CD burner which lets you do the whole schtick in digital.

There are of course many PC programs out there that are good, as well as the ADAT units which have been around a while and are also very good.

I would guess you need to do more research and looking and get your digits on some gear at a Vendor's place and see what you're getting into.

But, it's fun whichever way you go.

Green Hornet