424 Vs. Minidisc

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little z

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Ok, just for the record, I kinda know this is like apples and oranges, and even already knowing some limitations of each, I would really like to know good and bad, the comparison of putting a 424 MK III up against ... ummm, say the 564 MD... I know you are probably falling out of your chairs right now, but seeing as how there ARE drawbacks to both mediums, (however insignificant they may be for the home recording hobbyist) I just really would like some feedback on this, where the strong points are and what makes one or the other more suited for the same type use, foregoing personal preference.... I have heard many great things of the 424 MK III, and have owned a 564 MD, so I just need some input from all you other Tascamers out there!!!! Thanks heaps you all!!!!!! Steve :cool:
 
Hi, it's me again, with my 2c.

The 424mkII and the 564 are virtually the same design, look and feel, except one's cassette, and the other's MDD. [The 424mkIII is slightly different, but just as good or better than the 424mkII].

Cassette tape has it's advantage with being still virtually universally available, and cheap. Sound quality w/dbx is decent.

MD has the edge over cassette in sound quality and editing, but are far more limited in availability, and far more expensive. Long term and even short term availability of MDD media is in question.

The 424/cassette machine is definitely simpler, overall, in the recording section, than the 564. [I have a very strong 'keep it simple' ethic, but that's just personal preference].

When an analog recorder fails or acts up, it's usually a number of mundane, predictable things, that are typically easy and cheap to fix.

When a digital device, like the MDD reader [or mech], fails, it may do any number of strange and wonderful things, that may be somewhat unpredictable in nature. Also, the more complex nature of the MD machine, makes it a little more complicated, and expensive to fix.

I like both the cassette Portastudios, and also the 564, but I draw the line there. I don't like any other Tascam digital product, besides the 564.

I'd consider buying a 564, but I'm a little wary of the disc availability issue. If MDD discs were assured of availability, and a bit cheaper, I'd be all over the 564, in a heatbeat, because I think of it as a cool, well designed machine, that's great in concept, and execution. Also, a big reason I like the 564 so much, despite the disc availability issue, is that I'm a big fan of the 424mkII, which is one of my favorite machines.

To me, the 424mkII and 564 look virtually identical, except one's cassette, and the other's MDD. I think both machines are nice.

Cheers.
 
KEWL!!!!!!!!

Much appreciation on the input, I also favor the cassette based machines over the mini-disc machines, I have also heard about the unsure future of MD technology, I just wanted to get some viewpoints from you guys that have a bit more inside experience and have a bit more tape under your belts!!!! Thanks for everything, and happy recording!!!!!!! Steve :rolleyes:
 
I own a Tascam 564 and have been "very happy" with it.
Previously, I had a Tascam 414MKII and was "happy" with it!
A couple of points why I like the 564 significantly more, that haven't
been mentioned;

1) The minidisc medium is HUGE in Japan, so availability should be
fine for a long time. (Doing OK in Europe as far as I know too)

2) A non-linear, erasable recording medium like minidisc is actually
cheaper than cassette in the long run. Plus, like cassette, it's
durable and easy to send in the mail! I should also mention the
time saved by avoiding rewinding a cassette tape.
 
Yeah, I've also heard that

the MD format is really huge in Japan. The Japs really know their audio/electronics technology, that's for sure. Long term availability of the MDD in the US is still a little sketchy, but I'm encouraged that at least Japan has embraced the MD.

I have a Sony MD recorder/player, that's just standard stereo, and I love it. I do think MD is a good format, in general.

I've also heard that most 564 owners really like the 564. It's a really great unit, no doubt. MD does have a lot of fancy editing/non-linear capability that tape doesn't have. MD also kicks the butt of cassette, soundwise.

Despite the issue of MDD media availability, being just a bit sketchy, I'm still 'this close' [gesturing with two fingers] to buying one. Hey, when the price is right, I'm there. A 564 for ~$300 is what I want. If I find that unit, with that price, I'm there.

If I ever pop for a 564, I'll find MD Data discs. There are still a few sources out there.
 
I still have my Tascam MD564 and for what it's worth it's still a good peice of equipment, sure it uses ATRAC compression to save data but it really isn't as drastic as people say. The 564 has a few advantages:

1. it has insert jacks for a compressor (great for vocals)

2. midi capabilities, this way you can sync a drum machine up
to the 564 and not worry about a sync track

3. the sound quality is WAY better than a cassette

Lastly, the price of minidata discs aren't really that expensive
(about the price of a zip disk)

hope it helps
 
Great, that's cool.

I'm glad to see some actual 564 users coming out in favor of the 564 MDD format. As I said, it's one of my favorite machines. The 564 is all that these other users say, and more, and it's literally the only Tascam digital product I'm in favor of, or will touch with a ten foot pole.

I think Tascam did a great job designing the 564, and I still may get one, someday, maybe two, haha.

Hey, 564 guys, can one 564 be made to sync with another 564? That would be a good way to get 8 tracks of digital MDD recording, wouldn't it??

Anyway, the MDD long term supply issue still has me a little sketched out, but I've always liked the 564, and always considered getting one. Like I said, if the mint 564 floats on Ebay for ~$300, I'm there. I'll get the MDD discs.

The MDD disc, is ~$10-20/ea., which is comparable with a 1/4" reel of tape. That is not bad, considering digital has great headroom, and zero tape hiss/noise floor.

In real, practical terms, I'm a cassette Portastudio and/or a R/R person, but I do see the relative benefit of MDD recording, on the 564. No doubt, the 564's a great machine. MD is a superior format to cassette, that sounds better, etc, and the only drawback may be that the MD mechanism is much more complicated than a cassette mechanism, and likely harder and more expensive to fix, if & when it breaks down.

Hey, like I said before, I'm a 564 fan, not an owner, but I do have a regular MD recorder, and I think it's great. I also agree, that ATRAC compression is not an issue, on basic record/playback. I do think there's possible problems you might run into, with ATRAC, when bouncing tracks, but I do only a minimum amount of bouncing, anyway.

I'm always scanning Ebay for Tascam gear. Deals are plenty, on analog, as well as 'orphan' products, like the 564 MDD Portastudio.

Yes, it's an 'orphan' product, obsolete, if you will, in technical terms, but hey, there's no denying it's a great unit.

564 users, what's your real, bottom line experience on getting MDD discs, and what's your prognosis? One user says he figures MDD discs will remain available, in the long term. I'm not so sure, but I'm hopeful. I've already stocked up on normal MD blank media. How about additional educated opinions from the 564 owner community, on issues of availability of MDD media. Anyone else have any more comments?

The Tascam 564. If you're into Portastudios, [like me], get one, and you won't be disappointed. Actual 564 owners seem to like their units, and can speak of first hand experience, where I can't.

I do, however, have massive Tascam Portastudio and R/R recording experience, to speak of. I've always wanted to add the 564 to my arsenal. Maybe I will, someday.
 
Reel, according to Larry Robinson at Tascam, two 564's CAN'T be synched
together. There's 2 good reviews of the 564 at www.sospubs.co.uk/search
if you enter "tascam 564" (use quotes).
IMHO, the tascam is built better and has a better disc drive system than
the Yamaha MD4S, even though the Yamaha has a more advanced
atrac system.
 
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