488MKII Question

[David Benson]

I just read a review on the 488MKII, and it was mentioned the machine does not have one output jack for each track, which does not allow for a clean upgrade path from the 488, and this makes it difficult to back your tapes up. What is meant by upgrade? Does that mean bring the individual tracks somewhere else for mixing EQ etc. to improve the sound quality? Would you not have to have another unit that can record 4 tracks at a time? Would it not have to be digital? Would you do this to get a better final two track master? If you went to another cassette multi-track would that not be another generation? I have always mixed down on my Portastudio to a professional CD recorder to make my 2 track master. I did bring my 4 tracks over to a digital recorder to add a few more tracks once, but it seemed to add hiss to the sound. If the 488 did have the proper outputs what would be a good way to back up your tapes in case your dog one day chews up a tape? My four track does have these outputs. Best Regards DB

 

[themaddog]

1-You wouldn't gain any quality after the sound is recorded on the tape.

2-Upgrade: as in moving the tracks from your tape to digital or a reel to reel deck, although the quality won't get any better of the original sound.

3-There is a way to get all 8 tracks output, check out: http://www.homerecording.com/tas488tips.html

4-Mixing down is mixing down. No matter what, you typically end up with 2 tracks (left + right stereo).

5-There is no real way to "back up" tape because you will lose quality, it's not really like making a mix. You'd be better off making two copies of the final mix if you're worried your dog is gonna eat it.

-MD

I just read a review on the 488MKII, and it was mentioned the machine does not have one output jack for each track, which does not allow for a clean upgrade path from the 488, and this makes it difficult to back your tapes up. What is meant by upgrade? Does that mean bring the individual tracks somewhere else for mixing EQ etc. to improve the sound quality? Would you not have to have another unit that can record 4 tracks at a time? Would it not have to be digital? Would you do this to get a better final two track master? If you went to another cassette multi-track would that not be another generation? I have always mixed down on my Portastudio to a professional CD recorder to make my 2 track master. I did bring my 4 tracks over to a digital recorder to add a few more tracks once, but it seemed to add hiss to the sound. If the 488 did have the proper outputs what would be a good way to back up your tapes in case your dog one day chews up a tape? My four track does have these outputs. Best Regards DB