analog 4-track

[rickspringfield]

I'm looking for a good analog 4-track, but there don't seem to be many on the market. I have a Porta 02 Ministudio, but I could use some more mixing options and better quality. What about the Tascam 424 Mark III? I don't think they make it new anymore, I can't seem to find one, but I can get it on ebay. How are these? Also, with an analog 4-track, should I buy a decent mic preamp? Recordings I've produced without one seem lacking and I'm wondering if this would help. If anyone has any advice to help me make some pretty decent 4-track recordings, please help. Thanks.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Nowadays you're much better off going with a digital format. You get a lot more bang for the buck.

I realize that didn't answer your question but it will save you a lot of hassle in the wrong run.

 

[Dani Pace]

If you are seriously looking for a 4 track (cassette I asume) check out a Yamaha MT120, I've got one and had it for years. I like it better than Tascam or Fostex 4 tracks. Used ones generally go for $90-$100 if they are in good working order.

 

[andyhix]

I love my tascam 424mkii and would love a mkiii, because of the more versitile mixer options, but I haven't used anything else, so I'm not too objective. However, I've recorded several LP length projects on the 424 and have found it a great way to "learn" recording. And I think you can produce some great results - just like with digital, it's all about the details - mic choice, placement, NR, EQ, etc.

 

[ido1957]

I have a Tascam 424MKIII that I have used for about three years now. I recently switched to ADAT Tape (still a bit dated) and found the audio quality was much much better. That being said I still use the Tascam for putting down rough ideas and I've made some decent recordings with it. It's got lots of features that make it a bargain for a couple hundred bucks. I'll be keeping it indefintely. Oh BTW I also have an ancient Porta 02 (six channel)that I've had for 20 years that I still use.

 

[bigtoe]

If you are seriously looking for a 4 track (cassette I asume) check out a Yamaha MT120, I've got one and had it for years. I like it better than Tascam or Fostex 4 tracks. Used ones generally go for $90-$100 if they are in good working order.

amen - cool box. no NR. highspeed. 1992-1998. i miss mine.

while i agree with whoever mentioned that you have more options on digital - even an MD thing sounds pretty rad next to a 4 track cassette - there is something awesome about cassette 4 track stuff that can't be duplicated easily...

Mike

 

[Robert D]

If you're specifying analog because you want the "warmth" of tape, you really should be looking at reel to reel, not cassette. There's just no way to get much quality out of such a narrow track width and tape speed. I did some recording on a Tascam 688 once that was kind of ok, but the limitations of the media were apparent.

-RD

 

[rickspringfield]

What about getting an OK mic preamp, would that help?

 

[up-fiddler]

while i agree with whoever mentioned that you have more options on digital - even an MD thing sounds pretty rad next to a 4 track cassette - there is something awesome about cassette 4 track stuff that can't be duplicated easily...

Mike

MD uses lossy compression. Your vocals will especially sound grainy. I'd rather work with the cassette tape, keep my levels HOT, and accept a little hiss. jmho, Dave.

 

[jake-owa]

check out a Yamaha MT120, I've got one and had it for years. I like it better than Tascam or Fostex 4 tracks.

I have one of these and I will happily let it go if anyone seriously wants it.

 

[bigtoe]

MD uses lossy compression. Your vocals will especially sound grainy. I'd rather work with the cassette tape, keep my levels HOT, and accept a little hiss. jmho, Dave.

i know what yer saying...i just mixed something from an Sony MD thing. it can sound a little weird up top but it's really hard for me to say if it was just tracked that way. i thought the little md thing was rad as all getout overall. the sound quality was pretty amazing...

i agree though- long live the cassette four track nation.

Mike

 

[rickspringfield]

All right, but, so let's say I get one of the digital 8-tracks, like your average Fostex. Does that have decent mic preamps built into it, or do you need to buy an Ok one to make a decent recording on it. Also, for mixing options, can you do enough on the Fostex or would I need to obtain a mixer as well to make good use of it? If anyone can help I'd absolutely appreciate it.

 

[jake-owa]

The average cheapie digital 8 track will have preamps at least as good as a cassette 4 track. The conversion wil probably be the weak link depending on how cheap you go. Even still in digital you won't be limited by cassette's 70dB of headroom (if you're lucky) or the glitchy quality of the format.

If you are smart you will skip the whole standalone thing and spend time getting a computer workstation going. You can buy 4 channel USB interfaces for around $200 and use some free multitracking software and it's dirt cheap and WAY better than cassette.
Or if you like the sound of tape go with a nice reel to reel 1/2" 8 track.

 

[A Reel Person]

I'm looking for a good analog 4-track, but there don't seem to be many on the market. I have a Porta 02 Ministudio, but I could use some more mixing options and better quality. What about the Tascam 424 Mark III? I don't think they make it new anymore, I can't seem to find one, but I can get it on ebay. How are these? Also, with an analog 4-track, should I buy a decent mic preamp? Recordings I've produced without one seem lacking and I'm wondering if this would help. If anyone has any advice to help me make some pretty decent 4-track recordings, please help. Thanks.

The Tascam 424mkIII is a fine unit that's a good step up from the Porta 02. They are not sold new any more,... you missed that boat by about a year,... but they may be found on Ebay in good to like-new condition, and for reasonable prices. The 424mkIII has many higher end features and improvements over the stripped Porta 02, that will enable you to boost your sound quality considerably. The 424mkIII has 6 built-in preamps, so you won't need an external preamp. The 424mkIII has a highly capable 12-input mixer with 6-full channel strips, 3-band EQ, 2-Aux sends, and records up to 4-tracks simultaneously. That's way beyond the features you'd typically find in all-digital 4- or 8-track all-in-one'rs, many of which have no input-side mixing capability and the majority of which only record 2-tracks simultaneously. The 424mkIII a nice machine that's capable of making excellent recordings. I'd certainly get one. Oh wait,... I already have one!