4 track R2R for cd album project

[zorf]

Are there any RECENT examples of mid-fi recordings that have been
popular?
By popular I mean radio, film soundtrack, downloads, cd sales, etc.

Been thinking about recording a music project on a teac 4 track R2R.
No bouncing , just 4 tracks and maybe a fifth live during mixdown.
No editing other than effects added at mix.
All tracks recorded mono in a live continious takes. Panned in stereo at mix.

I like listening to stuff from all the different eras myself, but is that too
primitive sounding for the average listener these days?
Would the combination of semi pro sonics and sparse instrumentation
sound like poop to modern ears?
Please, no flame rants. Just want your immpresions of how this type of production format would fit in the larger sonic landscape.

 

[pehjott]

most "recent" john frusciante and elliott smith recorded commercial available albums on CASSETTE 4 tracks in the 90s...
it has much to do with what kind of sound you wanna have and what kind of music you wanna make, like, acoustic stuff,punk and simple rock can be very good with just 4 tracks but hard rock,metal,electronic...
most listeners today don't really listen, that's why commercial albums sound worse and worse to me these days...sterile,cold and overcompressed
so they won't notice to much...btw: i also will record a few 4tracksongs with drums,guitar,voice,bass but i'll have to bounce the drums and bass together...it can work

 

[themaddog]

It all depends on the type of music you're going to record. If it's just you singing with a folk guitar, a 4 track would be perfect. If you're looking for "mid-fi" I'd go with an 8 track, either a 388 since all of the equipment is contained, or a 1/2" machine like a TSR-8.

-MD