B
bcwilliamson
New member
Hi there,
Since starting recording, I've been working in my 'home studio' for many months now, alternating between the super-simple Tascam Porta 02 for demos, and the Fostex X-28 for slightly higher quality recordings, using a couple of cheap microphones and the different instruments and processors I own. Ideally I've been looking for a cheap Portastudio 424, for its more expansive mixer, effects sends and EQ capabilities. The plan a few days ago was to look for one in my price range, and to use that.
But yesterday I came across a fully-working Tascam TSR-8 reel to reel (http://www.40watt.co.uk/images/e8.jpg) coupled with a Fostex 812 mixer (http://images.kupujemprodajem.com/photos/oglasi/2/22/133822/133822_Fostek 812 2.jpg), that I can get for £340 (about $515). I've never worked with a reel-to-reel before, but as it looks like a very simple, intuitive machine, I'd be very interested in expanding into using them, not only for being able to use a separate mixer, but to have the much higher quality of tape and 8 individual tracks. I either work with a four piece band, or playing each part and building up tracks in layers. And I like ease of use too; when I'm recording creatively in a group or on my own, I hate spending time moving cables and changing settings...would there be those kind of issues switching between recording and mixdown?
The mixer has 8 busses...having never used a separate mixer before I'd need some suggestions on signal chain from the mixer to the reel to reel back to the mixer if I was to buy it. I could master in stereo either to my computer (I don't have a good sequencer yet) or one of the tape decks I have.
So, do you think it's worth leaping from simple Portastudios to the reel to reel? I've outlined the benefits (higher quality than cassette, 8 tracks, fairly inexpensive for the product itself, use of a mixer), but I have to think also of the reel to reel breaking down/having issues. Even if it comes in perfect condition, it's still less reliable than a Portastudio, I guess. As a student careful about spending too much (apart from my guitar, I really don't have any expensive gear, and hardly any microphones), I'm not sure whether I can justify spending that amount of money on it, and I have to make a decision quite soon about this. So what do people think?
Should I be interested, or should I take a step back and keep looking for something nearer my price range?
Since starting recording, I've been working in my 'home studio' for many months now, alternating between the super-simple Tascam Porta 02 for demos, and the Fostex X-28 for slightly higher quality recordings, using a couple of cheap microphones and the different instruments and processors I own. Ideally I've been looking for a cheap Portastudio 424, for its more expansive mixer, effects sends and EQ capabilities. The plan a few days ago was to look for one in my price range, and to use that.
But yesterday I came across a fully-working Tascam TSR-8 reel to reel (http://www.40watt.co.uk/images/e8.jpg) coupled with a Fostex 812 mixer (http://images.kupujemprodajem.com/photos/oglasi/2/22/133822/133822_Fostek 812 2.jpg), that I can get for £340 (about $515). I've never worked with a reel-to-reel before, but as it looks like a very simple, intuitive machine, I'd be very interested in expanding into using them, not only for being able to use a separate mixer, but to have the much higher quality of tape and 8 individual tracks. I either work with a four piece band, or playing each part and building up tracks in layers. And I like ease of use too; when I'm recording creatively in a group or on my own, I hate spending time moving cables and changing settings...would there be those kind of issues switching between recording and mixdown?
The mixer has 8 busses...having never used a separate mixer before I'd need some suggestions on signal chain from the mixer to the reel to reel back to the mixer if I was to buy it. I could master in stereo either to my computer (I don't have a good sequencer yet) or one of the tape decks I have.
So, do you think it's worth leaping from simple Portastudios to the reel to reel? I've outlined the benefits (higher quality than cassette, 8 tracks, fairly inexpensive for the product itself, use of a mixer), but I have to think also of the reel to reel breaking down/having issues. Even if it comes in perfect condition, it's still less reliable than a Portastudio, I guess. As a student careful about spending too much (apart from my guitar, I really don't have any expensive gear, and hardly any microphones), I'm not sure whether I can justify spending that amount of money on it, and I have to make a decision quite soon about this. So what do people think?
Should I be interested, or should I take a step back and keep looking for something nearer my price range?
