AKAI MG614 or TASCAM Porta Two

[Voyo]

Hello, fellow homerecording.com users.

I'm a total newbie to the recording business and I have been looking for a reliable multitrack casette recorder (digital stuff I do not dig) suitable for recording raw garage rock/punk blues, kinda The White Stripes (first two albums and some singles) or The Stooges style. I found these two offers here in Poland (both items are in a nearly flawless condition):

1. AKAI Professional MG 614 for about 270$
2. TASCAM Ministudio Porta Two (the big one) on an auction starting from about 100$

So, the question is: do you have any experience with these machines? Are they reliable? Which one would you rather recommend (mind you, I'd rather buy that Porta two cause I don't have that much cash)?

 

[themaddog]

I don't know if that's in US dollars, but both sound pretty expensive.

Try and wait for a machine like the Tacam 388 - if one ever pops up and if it's within your budget. The 388 is an 8 track recorder/mixer that records to 1/4" tape. My feeling is that recording a band you'll quickly outgrow 4 tracks, and the quality on the 388 is much better.

Best of luck,
-MD

 

[Voyo]

Try and wait for a machine like the Tacam 388 - if one ever pops up and if it's within your budget. The 388 is an 8 track recorder/mixer that records to 1/4" tape. My feeling is that recording a band you'll quickly outgrow 4 tracks, and the quality on the 388 is much better.

That's tough, because Tascam stuff from the 80's are really difficult to find here. The only 1/4" device I ever came across was this high-end Swiss thing that cost... a lot. Anyway, that Porta Two auction is coming to an end on Monday and there's nobody willing to buy it, guess I'll take a try.

 

[Voyo]

Try and wait for a machine like the Tacam 388 - if one ever pops up and if it's within your budget. The 388 is an 8 track recorder/mixer that records to 1/4" tape. My feeling is that recording a band you'll quickly outgrow 4 tracks, and the quality on the 388 is much better.

That's tough, because Tascam stuff from the 80's are really difficult to find here. The only 1/4" device I ever came across was this high-end Swiss thing that cost... a lot. Anyway, that Porta Two auction is coming to an end on Monday and there's nobody willing to buy it, guess I'll give it a try.

 

[cjacek]

That's tough, because Tascam stuff from the 80's are really difficult to find here. The only 1/4" device I ever came across was this high-end Swiss thing that cost... a lot. Anyway, that Porta Two auction is coming to an end on Monday and there's nobody willing to buy it, guess I'll give it a try.

Yeah, I was just going to say that. It's indeed next to impossible to find gear such as this locally in Poland.

I don't have direct experience with either machine but I'd personally get the MG614. It's a much better built machine. The porta two is a bit of a nightmare as far as servicing is concerned. Its use of extensive mechanical / moving parts (push button), spring / multiple belt system is a concern. Not that the MG614 doesn't have rubber parts but it's mostly idler tires, pinch roller but I'm not sure if it uses belts or it's direct drive. Still, I think it's a lot more service friendly than the porta two, probably relies on a lot less rubber components and is less mechanical and has higher end parts.

See, I buy on basis of built quality and if it's easy (easier) to service and, based on that, I'd get the MG614. The porta two seems like a nightmare down the road.

Be prepared to service the rubber components, in either machine, that are now getting old, which will give you problems. That goes for any machine of its kind.

If you're still adamant about going cheap, be aware that you may sink a lot more money into a low end recorder (porta two) down the line with the possibility of never fixing it. Go with the Rolls Royce, the MG614.

Also, do yourself a favor and pick it up, rather than having it mailed, whichever machine you buy.

 

[Beck]

I usually say get the one in the best condition. If they are both in great condition I would go with the Akai MG614.

I was always impressed with the Akai. It's my second choice of all time. The Tascam 246 is my top fav of all time as far as the 4-track casette all-in-one concept goes.