Buying 1st 4-track

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superunknown

New member
Hey everyone,

I'm new here; so I just had a couple of questions. I'm basically a guitar player looking for a band, and I'm looking for a 4-track. Mainly to lay down some ideas I have… plus, maybe recording a few demos to send to friends. Initially, I was looking for a secondhand one (since I'm not exactly breathing money… plus, I'm a bit of a cheap bastard :-) but they're not as easy to find as I first thought (btw, anyone in the Brisbane, Australia area that has one to sell… drop me an email).

Basically, I just had a few questions about a few that I'm considering. Does anyone know what a used Yamaha MT50 would be like? Is it good quality?? The other one is a new Tascam 414… any good? Basically, the difference for them is AU$150 (about U$100), so should I go for the cheapo one or just drink less beer for a month and go for the Tascam? Later…
superunknown
 
Yo Unknown One:

Hey man, keep drinking beer; however, save your money and buy a digital 8 track recorder. That way you won't have to bounce stuff. You can record keys on a track, drums on another track, and still have plenty of tracks for bass, organ, vocal, and some drum pops you can add in manually. Four tracks is a nice learning box but it's kind of like have only half of a good cold beer on a hot day. Don't let those salties catch walking along one of their ponds.

Green Hornet
 
Thanks for the reply Hornet,

Here's the thing. Since I'm not in band right now, I would only use tracks on the recorder for guitar and bass (which are the instruments that I have readily available). Therefore I wouldn't need that many tracks anyway (except on my 7-minute 10-guitar-part prog-metal song :-). Ohh, and another question... how good would the quality be for a demo made on a four track USING ONLY 4 TRACKS?

But what I plan to do is when I get a band, just sell the damn thing, and ask the other guys to pitch in for something better. So I was wondering exactly have many beers would I have to not-drink to afford a digital 8-track (ie. how much would it cost?). And what would be a good starting one? Thanks...

superunknown
 
First of all if you are young and in a band just buy the cheap beer. I drink Bud now but years ago my buddies and I drank more Old Milwaukee than our share. Buy it buy the bottle and take the returns back.

Next consider the fostex FD-8. Its seems that Green Hornet and I are always recomending the equipment we use and I think each unit has its good and bad points. Research them all. Mine cost $899 w/250 Zip drive and is really easy to use.
 
I understand that they no longer make the 488MKll. But if you look on E-bay you can find some good used ones.

I also dont think a cassette would hold up to the mutiple takes,erasing and track bouncing that you can do with a digital
 
what ever happened to the 488mkII... im telling you that thing is a beast. especially for someones first multitrack... casette is easier to use, more forgiving, and has natural compression. and anyway, i've never been happy with digital, even in pro studios.
 
you dont need to bounce tracks with 8 tracks. They dont make the 488mkII, but they still have them in stock. i see them brand new $700 when i was at MARS in houston in early december. its a deal. 3 for drums, 2 guitars, 1 bass. lead vocal. then one left over for backup or blazing guitar solos... other sound effects. Again, its a beast.
 
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