Analog Recording Help Needed..

[Italian Horror]

I'm 16 years old, I have a couple of synths, a drum machine, mixer, audio interface etc. And at the moment I record solely into logic pro.

I would like start recording using analog kit, but I don't know anything. What's the difference between 4 track and 8 track? Is Reel to reel best, or can you do it onto a cassette?

I guess I'd quite like a kind of 'lo fi' sound, and it needs to be around $300 if that is possible.

Any help is greatly appreciated...

 

[TheChikenMaster]

You have been recording into to logic so you do know what a track is, you may have dealt with many of them at a time. The difference between 4 and 8 is the available amount of tracks you can record, no you cant have 16 24 or 32 either 4 or 8, or as many as the machine allows. there are decks that can have 16 and 24 but that is it no more. Reel to reel is better than cassette mainly because its bigger and runs at faster speeds. Check out the analog only forum.

 

[A Reel Person]

You open a can of worms with those questions.

The quickest and most succinct answer I'd give you, given your basic description, is get a TASCAM 488mkII.

That's 8-tracks onto cassette tape with integrated mixer.

Given that lofi is okay and $300 is your price point, that's the absolutely best analog kit going.

PS: lofi, it's not, but like I said,... discussions like this are like a can of worms.

488mkII Demo 1
488mkII Demo 2
488mkII Demo 3

 

[A Reel Person]

Given more thought,...

You might luck out on a sleeper deal on a TASCAM 388, which is 8-tracks onto 1/4" reel tape on 7" spools and integrated mixer.

That's a BIG upgrade in the mixer section and overall sound quality, as compared to the 488mkII.

As I said,... a SLEEPER DEAL on a 388 for appx $300 may be found occasionally, but they often go for more like $450~$500.

388 Demo 1
388 Demo 2
388 Demo 3
388 Demo 4 *no dbx
388 Demo 5
388 Demo 6
388 Demo 7

 

[A Reel Person]

Any other larger or more hifi analog kit...

is out of your price range!

 

[Italian Horror]

cool, thanks a lot. I'll check them both out..

 

[dodgeaspen]

Good honest info Dave. You might be able to get a Tascam 34 or 38 for that price as long as you have a mixer to utilize the number of tracks.