Analog vs. Digital?

[timbtaylor]

I'm new to recording and bought a TASCAM 414MkII about a month ago. Since then I have recorded a fair number of songs -- and then mixed the results down to a Pioneer CD-R machine. The results are pretty good considering it was for a total investment of only about $600 ($300 for TASCAM and $300 for the CD-R). I'm still left wondering, however, if I might create a much better sound by going 100% digital. I've been eyeing the TASCAM 788 but wonder if the improvements in sound would warrant doubling the amount I need to spend ($900 for the 788 plus around $300 for the CD-R). I need to decide in the next week before the 30 day window closes on my ability to return the 414.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[regebro]

It's not so much a question of analog vs digital, but on the quality of the equipment, and quality costs...

If it will improve your sound simple depends on how good you are. The more expensive digital stuff will have a possibility of better sound, but if you don't know how to use it, it will still sound like shite.

So, to give a completely useless piece of advice: Figure out what limits you in getting a better sound, and remove that limitation.

 

[robert jaybird]

lots of big time artists will record to digital, edtit in digital, then transfer to tape to get that warm sound.oif course you wont get that same effect on a cheapo porta studio.im gonna assume you have the talent to make a setup work and just tell things straight up.

you will get a better sound going with much more flexability going digital digital.youd have to approach it correctly, but if done right you could start in a direction to be doing professional quality productions.

if youve already got some good mics and pre's you could just buy a program and an interface and start recording.btw i dont reccomend a standalone roland or fostex recorder.if you have a computer just use that and youll have much more flexability.

right now im running the digi 001 and am amazed that a $800 software/hardware package can give me so much.it absolutely blows away anythimg a porta sxtudio ever was or will be.its 24 bit sound is incredible,go digital-it sounds better, for the price of a crappy tape portastudio you can get very professional recording software.