If you're struggling with the 424mkIII, then I'd recommend the Tascam Portastudio recording videos, Vol. 1 (beginning) and Vol. 2 (advanced). They'll give you the basics and advanced techniques.
The $279.95 (including shipping) is for a brand new 424mkIII, @ Zzounds dot com. These are likely blowout prices on the last stocks of 424mkIII's, & really is an unprecedented value! The 424mkIII's are very hard to find, and almost non-existent at most other retailers. If you were ever on the fence about scoring a brand new 424mkIII, then now's the time! At this low price, you may want to get one for the kids!! Tell'em Dave sent'ya!
I may want to score another one, but that's another post!!
You can never have too many Tascam Portastudios!!!
That's what I always say, anyway!!
Hey, you could buy the MK3 to use in conjunction with your MK2, to bounce from one deck to the other, therefore increasing your number of tracks with less generational loss as the "full reduction" bounce.
I should buy another one... mine is heavily used. I traded a DAT deck for it 3 years ago and loved it, its in pieces right now as it is broken yet again. And a repair tech said he cant get the speed to be correct on it.