(A)DAT vs Reel to Reel

  • Thread starter Thread starter El Barto
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El Barto

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Here's a good one for you...I'm looking to setup a studio (semi-pro, we'll be recording other bands as well as our own) with a few friends of mine. We are originally planning to get a 8+ (more like 16 probably...24 MAYBE) track reel to reel. We dig the analog warm sound and such, we're rock musicians man! Anyway, when we think about it, we're kinda taking risks. One, they are only bought used...they're not made anymore. So we could get a junker. Two, they are costly to maintain. So I was thinking...what about a DAT or an ADAT? Digital Audio TAPE. Do they have the warm analog sound to them, or are they more digital? I was thinking that an ADAT would probably be cheaper in the long run, and less risky. What do you guys think? It's all to a tape still, so it should give me that analog sound, right? Or is it all digitally done? Help! I'm confused!
 
So basicly I'm not going to get that nice analog sound then? What should I read specifically? And I hear of DATs used mostly for mixdowns...are they not commonly used for recording directly to?
 
ADATS would be much more expensive to buy, and no, they are digital and sound digital. If you have the money to buy pro equipment like ADATS, by all means do. And check out other digital recording options, like computer recording (Tha Paris system looks nice is is in the same rough cost as ADATs I think) or dedicated HD recording, like the Fostex stuff.

Buying a second hand 16 track would probably be much cheaper.
 
While it may be cheaper to buy it upfront, doesn't the maintainance, repair, and media bring up the cost of things?
 
Recording to DAt cam only be 2 tracks Left - right.

As for Adat I find it to be a reliable format and Tape isn't very expensive.

You should look into Tascam's new 24 track recorder.
 
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