Yeah.
Digital has brought cheap recording to the masses, and on balance I think that's good, but certainly home recording's become less specialized, and less special in the process.
I remember the early days of 1983, after I had procured my new Tascam 244, 38 and M30 mixer. No, it wasn't cheap, but it was reasonably affordable considering the recording technology of the time. However, to invest in such equipment, you had to already be highly committed, at appx. $4250 for the entire lot of gear! The cost of admission separated the "wheat from the chaff" in the home/amatuer recording game, and you certainly don't have that differentiating point nowadays. In contrast, today I could by a used ATR-80/24 2"-24-track in reasonable condition with accessories for the same price. But having gone as far as to buy a 244, 38 & M30 in 1983, at the time I was completely certain that I was the only person for miles who had a 4-track Portastudio and 1/2"-8-track reel recorder in their apartment, and the only one doing "experimental" home recording in my neighborhood. In truth, at the time it made me a little paranoid, as my apartment was not in the best neighborhood, and I actually kept all this gear under lock, key and an alarm system!! Now, if you set a Tascam 38 in your garage in plain sight, I dare say that no one would think it's worth stealing! In further contrast, it seems that in every 3rd house there's some 16 year old doing 'puter recording. I'm not saying that's bad, but it's certainly not "specialized" like it used to be. It's just the way of today, where high technology is taken for granted.
... Do I sound "old, fat & bald" yet!! (I think I do!)
Anyway, be that as it may, there's fortunately still enough like-new vintage tape recording gear to go around, as I'm living proof of that. Since Y2k, I've scored loads of nice vintage recording gear for 10-30% of it's original value,... gear that I could never afford before, in quantities I'd never concieved of before. Does it irk me that the 244 I paid $1100 for in 1982 is a $110 Ebay item, or the 38 I paid $1999 for is maybe $299? No, not really, because I have all of 20+ years experience using this gear already under my belt, and I'm as big of a used gear shopper as any new analog-seeker.
Is there a point to my post? Well,... yes.
It's nice to wish for "new" analog equipment to be brought to market, but unfortunately the economics of scale are not there, and therefore whatever remains of analog will ultimately become a "boutique" industry, as evidenced directly by the "ATR Magnetics" specialty refurbished decks. Some hardcore "pros" will still stick to their analog "guns", but they're a dying breed. The "George Martins" of the industry are already dead or in their "golden years", and the "Steve Albini"-types are a rare breed. There's no mass market to cater to in analog.
So,... as much as feel I've "been there & done that", I tend to agree with BRDTS and Mixmkr on this subject. The upside is that used analog equipment is in a glut condition as e'one migrates to digital in huge tsunami-type waves. So, there's more used gear for those who want it.
Anyway, BRDTS is an industry pro, and he's getting his information directly from the "horses mouth", so it would be foolish to argue with him, or take issue with what he says.
Does that make me love analog recording any less? No.
Does that make me like digital recording any more? No.
Does that rule out any sort of resurgence of analog recording? Not entirely, but it will likely be a cottage or boutique industry, and prices will be comparable to when analog was mainstream, such as $3000 for a new 1/2"-8-track. That price structure will surely keep most people out of any "new" analog game, if/when it comes about, but I'm living proof that certain hardcore and committed individuals will still buy that type of gear at those prices.
Until then, rest assured that I'm stacked to the rafters with all my favorite analog gear, and large stockpiles of media to go along with it. Analog equipment could reach "0" availability, and I'll still be properly equipped to do my own "experimental" analog home recording for years, or maybe decades to come!
(End of rant; Stepping off soap box).
