Well, basically yes.
As a matter of fact, the BR-8's inputs are [1] mic and [1] line input.
The inputs on the BR-532 are [1] {hi-Z} line, [1] {lo-Z} 1/4" mic, and [1] XLR mic input. BTW, it has a built in mic, but when you plug into either the XLR or 1/4" mic input, the built in mic is overridden.
The spec sheet for the BR-532 and BR-8 says both of these units will record up to 2 tracks simultaneously, which was not apparent when I first demo'd these units. I guess I believe they can both record up to 2 tracks simultaneously, 'cause it's in the spec sheet, right? But, maybe an actual BR-8 or BR-532 user can comment as to whether this is correct or not. There's probably a sub menu setting on these units where you'd link two tracks together on record, right? Hmmm.
Anyway, as I said, IMO, the input-side mixing capabilities of both the BR-8 and BR-532 are minimal.
Basically, [not that you asked], but anything I say about the BR-532, I would also say applies to the Korg PXR4, which is another mini-portable digital recorder that records to Smartmedia cards. Tascam will release the much awaited Pocketstudio 5, sometime soon, which also boasts of recording in digital to Smartmedia.
Regarding the 424mkIII, you have 8 inputs that get mixed down to stereo, BUSS L/R. Yes, it can handle 8 inputs simultaneously, or 10, if you count the SUB INs.
In my bottom line opinion, for 4-track, NEW equipment, I'd definitely recommend the Tascam 424mkIII over the BR-532 and PXR4, based on the overall cache of features that the 424mkIII delivers, and the others don't.
Regarding the difference between the sound quality of the cassette 4-track vs. the digital-only 4-trackers, I'd say that in the right hands, a 4-track cassette can be driven to levels of hifi that would challenge the digital units.
Being 'digital' and 'portable', [IMO, micro-miniaturized], is the biggest selling point of the BR-532 and PXR4, but feature-for-feature, IMO, the 424mkIII blows them away. It kind of depends on your recording needs, and what you're looking for.
One drawback of the Smartmedia units, is that after your 5-minute epic, 4-track composition, the media is full and has to be mixed down to stereo, and recorded onto your computer, before you can erase & continue. Not too convenient, huh? And, the Smartmedia cards are expensive.
Cassette, on the other hand, is a low cost, handy removable media, that gives longer recording time overall, and is easy to change on-the-fly. When the tape's full, just pop in another one, without missing a beat. Convenient, huh?
When it comes to 4-track USED Tascam equipment, the choices are many. For 4-track Tascams, I'd recommend the vintage 246 Portastudio, 234 Syncaset, and for r-r 4-track I'd recommend the 34B.
The 234 and 34B would not actally "require" an external mixer, because they both have RCA and 1/4" inputs, and a MONITOR/OUTPUT section, but IMO would be best used with an external mixer, such as
the Tascam M30.
BTW, the Portastudio is actually a Tascam innovation, a Tascam brand name, and the likes of Fostex and Yamaha were basically 'me too' companies on the Portastudio bandwagon, with their own cassette 4-trackers,... as well as a couple others, Vestax and Marantz, early on,... [mid '80's].
With the Portastudio, Tascam ushered in the "all-in-one" format that made the Portastudio famous, and the BR-532, PXR-4, and Pocketstudio 5 are a modern adaptations of the "all-in-one" design philosophy,... as well as countless other digital recording workstations, not yet mentioned on this thread. [F/I, Tascam 788, Yamaha AW2816, Yamaha AW4416, Korg D1600, Roland BR-1180, and Roland CDX-1 Disclab, Akai 1212, Roland VS-1824, etc.]
On the other hand, you have a good, modern computer, and there are hoards of people on this board that would recommend you skip over cassette-based Porta's and digital all-in-one units, and just record onto your PC,with a software based recording suite.
No doubt, software/computer based digital recording offers state-of-the-art sound quality and editing & arranging features, sims, synths, sync, and everything else.
I, personally, would not recommend the novice, Newbie or first-timer to record directly onto the PC, unless you wanted to face a steep learning curve, potential technical issues and quirky problems, and you like fiddling around on your computer a lot. Other people would recommend computer-based recording highly.
My statements & recommendations are lengthy, and hopefully clear, but it's just my opinion, and you'll get different answers, depending on who you ask. I'm sure they're queueing up now, with other comments.
If you're looking at the BR-8, IMO, you'd do yourself a favor to check out
the Tascam 388, used on Ebay. The 388, although not yet mentioned on this thread, is the Portastudio-format 1/4" reel 8-track, with a great 8x8x2 mixer melded to a 1/4" reel tape drive, all-in-one unit. It's the one-and-only 8-track analog Portastudio, it records 8 tracks simultaneously, and is not technically known as a "Portastudio", but as the "Studio 8". Go check out the 388, on Ebay. It's a backbreaker to lift, but it's the king of the hill, in Tascam ANALOG Portastudio design,... [btw, it's out of production, and only available as used].
If you're willing to buy up in the analog formats, there's the Tascam 38 and TSR-8, [used] reel-to-reel 8 tracks. I'd highly recommend both decks, but they would require an external mixer.
If you're leaning toward digital, there's the Tascam 788, 8-track digital Portastdio, an all-in-one design, currently available as new, which would definitely blow away the BR-8, but the Roland BR-1180 gives the 788 a run for it's money!.
I'll be the first to tell you, that my ideas and recommendations are not in 'sync' with the current home-recording model, that's being pushed, i.e., mic->preamp->multi i/o soundard->software-based computer recording, or digital-audio->Smartmedia->computer-based mini-recorders.
Buying a recording system's a very personal decision, and the choices are many. You'll have to assess your needs, and you'll have to scrutinize many devices and ideas, before you can make a well informed decision
Thanxs for reading this lengthy memo, and good luck on the search.
