4 Track VS Digital

[swaldrop]

My recording knowledge is limited. I want to record myself for self-accompaniment and songwriting. I have a Fostex 4 Track, a laptop with Mixcraft, an older version of ACidPro and Soundforge. I have a limited budget and don't want to (can't) dump a pile of money into recording gear.

Should I stay with the tape, or go with digital?

 

[XLR]

Are you dissatisfied with the sound quality of cassette tape?

If so, perhaps a digital 4 track like the Tascam DP-004 would be a good solution for you. Simplicity of a cassette 4 track but without the sonic problems of cassette. It has no built-in preamps for external mic's though , so you'd have to use the built-in mic's it has, or use an external preamp cabled up to one or both of the DP-004's line-in jacks. I have one on order at the moment, to use when traveling. Maybe I'll post a review.

 

[grimtraveller]

If all you want to do is accompany yourself in writing songs, I'd say stay as you are with the Fostex (is it an X-15 ?) unless you have issues with cassettes. XLR's advice however, may be the best thus far so I'd pay more attention to that.