Choosing a 4 Track

[Rickson Gracie]

I had an old Tascam Porta05 many years ago and I found an old box of tapes that were used with it.

Apparently it has standard cassette speed 1 7/8 ips and DBX. I was thinking about getting a 4 track to mess with anyway but I might as well get one with the option of standard cassette speed (and higher speed too) and DBX.

Whats the best 4 track on the used market with these features?

Also having individual outs would be cool too.

Thanks!

 

[sweetbeats]

Can't say enough about the 424 series...I think you'd have to get at least a mk II to get the individual tracks outs. Has both 1 7/8 and 3 3/4 speeds, dbx, flexible little mixer, servo control transport, etc., etc.

Readily available on the used market for a, uh, song.

 

[Rickson Gracie]

thanks!

ive been wanting a 246 but i dont believe it has the standard tape speed so i guess the 424 it is ill probably try to get the mk2 with the inputs up top for convenience.

 

[A Reel Person]

...

The 246 has high and low speeds.

 

[ksounds]

Hey Rickson,

As a user of the 246 and 424 portos, I can honestly say that the 246 is a little better in terms of quality, but, the 424 series are frickin' great! As far as fidelity goes, I'm using a 424 mkII and I can't hear any of a difference with it from the 246. Plus, you have a better chance of getting a 424 in mint condition than you do a 246. If you can find a 246 in great condition, snap it up for sure...but a 424 mkII is a beautiful thing

I did all of these on a 424 mkII...minus the 246 synth jam (which was done on a Tascam 246):
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=805880&content=music

 

[Rickson Gracie]

thanks guys.

one question - does the 246 have 4 individual outs?

 

[A Reel Person]

Yes,...

4 individual PGM OUTs.