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grh
Member
I wan't to make long quality analogue recordings using only one track. I do not believe a four track is what I am looking for or is it? If I buy a cassette deck how would I know if my Korg x50 will connect?
jpmorris
Tape Wolf
Am I right in understanding this? You want to do a mono recording from an x50 synthesizer? Or did you mean stereo (2 tracks)?
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grh
Member
Sorry, for taking awhile to respond. I wan't to record just one track. Say I was playing a keyboard and I wanted to spontaneously record in high quality using the cassette format. I am not talking about going back and layering and trying to create an entire song. The main thing is I wan't a one track quality cassette recording. I say Korg x50 because I wan't to make sure I can connect that specific keyboard.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
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grh
Member
Those are some good pics. Would this cheaper one work? Technics RS-TR210 Quartz Stereo Double Cassette Deck ,WORKS AND LOOKS NICE | eBay
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
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Do you need a dual cassette drive?
Do you need a dual cassette drive?
jpmorris
Tape Wolf
Ah, it's for scratch recordings and stuff. I actually do those digitally myself. If I didn't, then yeah, I might look at a portastudio or a nice cassette deck, or maybe a Uher Report or something which can run at a low speed on a 5" reel.
I'm not actually into cassettes much so I can't really make any personal recommendations...
Regarding connecting it to the keyboard, just make sure you get a lead with two 1/4" jacks on one end, and RCA phono on the other. That should be quite adequate to go direct from the X50 to cassette.
e.g.
2 x Monojack - 2 x Phono Lead 5M at Studiospares
Alternatively, particularly if you want to sing along, you might think of getting a small mixing desk, one of the little 6-input Behringers or something would be fine for this purpose. Then you'd want a stereo lead with two mono 1/4" jacks on both ends to go into the mixer, and the mixer will have a phono tape output which can go into the cassette deck.
I'm not actually into cassettes much so I can't really make any personal recommendations...
Regarding connecting it to the keyboard, just make sure you get a lead with two 1/4" jacks on one end, and RCA phono on the other. That should be quite adequate to go direct from the X50 to cassette.
e.g.
2 x Monojack - 2 x Phono Lead 5M at Studiospares
Alternatively, particularly if you want to sing along, you might think of getting a small mixing desk, one of the little 6-input Behringers or something would be fine for this purpose. Then you'd want a stereo lead with two mono 1/4" jacks on both ends to go into the mixer, and the mixer will have a phono tape output which can go into the cassette deck.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
Thank you.
Without reading too much above the OP's question,...
If I were to upgrade in cassette for higher capablility from my previous recommendation, I'd get a Tascam 424mkIII Portastudio.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tascam-Teac...dio_Multi_Track_Recorders&hash=item337c61c350http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tascam-Teac...dio_Multi_Track_Recorders&hash=item337c61c350
Without reading too much above the OP's question,...
If I were to upgrade in cassette for higher capablility from my previous recommendation, I'd get a Tascam 424mkIII Portastudio.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tascam-Teac...dio_Multi_Track_Recorders&hash=item337c61c350http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tascam-Teac...dio_Multi_Track_Recorders&hash=item337c61c350
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grh
Member
Thank you all. Those are good suggestions. Would something like Tascam424mk111 Portastudio reduce the ammount of time I would be able to record one track on cassette? Or something smaller like a four track?
jpmorris
Tape Wolf
The 424 is a 4-track machine. I believe it can run at both normal cassette speed and double speed for higher quality. Double speed would halve the amount of time, naturally.
What a portastudio does mean is that you won't necessarily be able to flip the cassette over, if that's important. But running at normal speed, it will give you 4 channels of cassette. You'd use a stereo pair for the keyboard, and that would also give you the option to overdub some test vocals if need be. Or alternatively, you could mute channels 1 and 2, rewind and record another song on tracks 3 and 4.
Oh, and with the Portastudio, you'd need a pair of mono jack leads, since it takes those instead of the RCA ones used by most cassette decks.
EDIT: How much time do you actually need? Are you planning on recording some kind of epic drone-rock like Bull of Heaven?
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
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On a 424mkIII Portastudio, (as well as other Portastudio models), you may record on a stereo pair at normal speed (dbx off), flip the cassette over for "side B" and it would be virtually compatible with any other standard cassette deck. You may even do that true "single" track recording, which when you added up 4 lengths of that would actually be more recording time. (dbx ON would give quieter & more dynamic recording, but isn't compatible with "std/stereo/non-dbx" recorders).
The 424mkIII really shines is when you want to to a more complex recording up to 4-tracks and/or 6 inputs, which being a Portastudio with an integrated tape drive and mixer, eliminates some of the interconnecting cables of a traditional recorder/mixer setup.
On a 424mkIII Portastudio, (as well as other Portastudio models), you may record on a stereo pair at normal speed (dbx off), flip the cassette over for "side B" and it would be virtually compatible with any other standard cassette deck. You may even do that true "single" track recording, which when you added up 4 lengths of that would actually be more recording time. (dbx ON would give quieter & more dynamic recording, but isn't compatible with "std/stereo/non-dbx" recorders).
The 424mkIII really shines is when you want to to a more complex recording up to 4-tracks and/or 6 inputs, which being a Portastudio with an integrated tape drive and mixer, eliminates some of the interconnecting cables of a traditional recorder/mixer setup.
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A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
Reviewing specifics:...
With switchable (Hi/Low) tape speeds and dbx NR (On/Off) selection, it's also compatible with other "std" cassette recording and playback purposes. You could dust off your (mom/dad's?) old stereo WARRANT and WINGER cassettes out of the garage, too. What fun!
The Tascam 424mkIII Portastudio (@ double speed & dbx) certainly fits this description and shines in this regard, with higher fidelity than "standard" stereo cassette recorders and a full complement of plug compatibility with inputs of all sorts. It's quick to set up and easy to use, literally plug and play!
With switchable (Hi/Low) tape speeds and dbx NR (On/Off) selection, it's also compatible with other "std" cassette recording and playback purposes. You could dust off your (mom/dad's?) old stereo WARRANT and WINGER cassettes out of the garage, too. What fun!
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Slowrider
STOP Voting!
Before I started dabbling in digital-Reaper; I used the combination of a 424MKII, and this JVC double decker:
JVC DOUBLE CASSETTE STEREO DECK MODEL TD-W354BK | eBay
And since I'm having trouble using Reaper/Vista combo; I'm setting my Analog system back up using these two combos.
All I gotta do now is find a manual for the 424MKII, seems to have been lost in my last move.
Anyone have a link to that 424MKII manual?
I downloaded the MKIII, but would like to get the manual for the MKII. Thanks in advance!
JVC DOUBLE CASSETTE STEREO DECK MODEL TD-W354BK | eBay
And since I'm having trouble using Reaper/Vista combo; I'm setting my Analog system back up using these two combos.
All I gotta do now is find a manual for the 424MKII, seems to have been lost in my last move.
Anyone have a link to that 424MKII manual?
I downloaded the MKIII, but would like to get the manual for the MKII. Thanks in advance!
Slowrider
STOP Voting!
Just a note about the double JVC I posted.:
JVC DOUBLE CASSETTE STEREO DECK MODEL TD-W354BK | eBay
When I left my RtoRs alone, I started making multitracks using this same JVCdeck. Play along and record a track from one deck to the other.
After buying the 424MKII, made it much easier.
JVC DOUBLE CASSETTE STEREO DECK MODEL TD-W354BK | eBay
When I left my RtoRs alone, I started making multitracks using this same JVCdeck. Play along and record a track from one deck to the other.
After buying the 424MKII, made it much easier.
G
grh
Member
424mk111 looks like a great recorder. I only need 90 minutes.
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G
grh
Member
On a 424mkIII Portastudio, (as well as other Portastudio models), you may record on a stereo pair at normal speed (dbx off), flip the cassette over for "side B" and it would be virtually compatible with any other standard cassette deck. You may even do that true "single" track recording, which when you added up 4 lengths of that would actually be more recording time. (dbx ON would give quieter & more dynamic recording, but isn't compatible with "std/stereo/non-dbx" recorders).
The 424mkIII really shines is when you want to to a more complex recording up to 4-tracks and/or 6 inputs, which being a Portastudio with an integrated tape drive and mixer, eliminates some of the interconnecting cables of a traditional recorder/mixer setup.
The 424mk111 sounds incredible. Do the more basic four track recorders have the same features?
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
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The more basic 4-track cassette Portastudios (and non-Tascam clones) will not all have the same features. The 424mkIII was the top of the line when it was produced. The lower ones on the totem pole had less features, accordingly. However, some older topline models will have all the features you're looking for, too. They all vary a little bit, so you have to look at features very carefully when comparison shopping.