DAT Machine query...

[jimmy_LD]

Does anyone still use a DAT recorder?

I have been thinking about getting one, but I can't make a definite decision as to what kind or which brand to choose.

I like the Panasonic ones because of the XLR-inputs, but do you guys have a favorite? What do you use them for the most?

 

[Track Rat]

I have one. A Sony A-7. I bought mine a long time ago though when it was one of the ways to go as far as mixdown mediums. I don't use it much any more for mixing as even though I'm mixing through an analog console, it's still being recorded into a computer at 24/44.1. If I didn't have one today I doubt if I'd go out and buy one. A good soundcard with decent converters and system clock will not only outperform most DATs sonicly but the editing capabilities in the computer just make the DAT obsolete. Now once everything is mixed and tweaked and dithered down to 16/44.1, DAT can be used to archieve stuff but if you have a CD burner in your computer, CD-R is cheaper medium and more robust over time than tape.

 

[jimmy_LD]

track rat, thanks for replying so quickly.

I basically want to have one for doing on-spot live recordings...
For example, I don't have a studio space to call my own, but I'm a lighting designer with access to a huge theatre, and sometimes we record rehearsals in there... It's a lot easier to drag the DAT machine along than it is the computer.

You know?

The one I'm looking at is the Tascam DA-30. A buddy is willing to part with it for 200 smackers, and it's 4 years old with moderate mastering use. What do you think?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

The DA-30 is a decent machine... for myself I have a DA-40... it doesn't see much use though, anymore.....

 

[Track Rat]

That's WAY different. For ease of use, portabilty and DEPENDABILITY the DAT (especially at $200!!!) would definately be my weapon of choice. I've used the Tascam many, many times and it's a great unit.

 

[Cyrokk]

I have a Tascam DA-20 which I use as a mixdown deck from ADAT through my analog board. I plan on sending the DAT mixes through the pc for burning to cd.

Cy

 

[Henri Devill]

I have a Sony..It just sits there mocking me sayin'...'You paid a grand for me and I'm worthless now" Oh well..LOL..Next I'm gonna get a Masterlink..so that can become usless as technology marches on ..I wouldn't get a DAT now. You would be better off with a stand alone CD burner..At least you can play the things in your car



Don

 

[jimmy_LD]

stand alone CD burner...?

Is this piece of gear capable of taking inputs and recording just like other types of tape medium?

Please don't take this statement as flaming, because we don't want a war like the one that's going on in the Mic Watch post... I am SO SORRY Track Rat... You don't deserve that stuff...
But I find it hard to believe that a DAT is completely useless!
It's gotta be good for something, right? It's gonna serve me well for recording live rehearsals!

What else do you guys use it for?
Back in the day (AKA just a few years ago... *deep exhale*) we used to run all of the sound cues for a theatre I was resident lighting designer for form a DAT machine. The DA-30, I believe!

 

[Lt. Bob]

A stand-alone Cd burner will basically do the same thing a DAT recorder will do. I have a DAT-Walkman and I use it for live recordings but if I were buying today I'd get a portable CD burner. HOWEVER....$200 is pretty cheap.

 

[Henri Devill]

Re: stand alone CD burner...?

Is this piece of gear capable of taking inputs and recording just like other types of tape medium?

Please don't take this statement as flaming, because we don't want a war like the one that's going on in the Mic Watch post... I am SO SORRY Track Rat... You don't deserve that stuff...
But I find it hard to believe that a DAT is completely useless!
It's gotta be good for something, right? It's gonna serve me well for recording live rehearsals!

What else do you guys use it for?
Back in the day (AKA just a few years ago... *deep exhale*) we used to run all of the sound cues for a theatre I was resident lighting designer for form a DAT machine. The DA-30, I believe!

Just a option.....If you already had a DAT well so be it...But if you are geting the recorder now..Well a CD burner makes more sense to me because you can play the medium anywhere..And you dont have to convert to a CD to play it in your car ect..You can even get them at places like Best Buy and Circut City for about 300.00.The blankes are pretty cheap too..They maybe even cheaper than DAT tape...Good luck

Don

 

[Lt. Bob]

They're not maybe cheaper than DAT tapes......they're a hell of a lot cheaper than DAT tapes.

 

[jimmy_LD]

any suggestions?

do you guys have brands and models you like of the CD burners?

 

[zekthedeadcow]

"They're not maybe cheaper than DAT tapes......they're a hell of a lot cheaper than DAT tapes."

heh just because you can get 100 blank CD's for $20....

 

[Havoc]

CD recorders may be handy, but how long are the recordings you plan to make? A DAT can record 2h without intervention (even longer if you use computer backup tapes, up to 4h, but those tapes are a bit more fragile), a cd recorder gives up after 80 minutes.

I use a dap1 for the use you plan, or a pcm-m1 if portability or small size is even more important.

 

[crosstudio]

I've got a Sony DTC-A7.

i use to record my bands shows into it.

now i use it as the monitor for my previously recorded tracks. that way i've got 8 ins/outs from the Wavecenter/Tango24 via ADAT lightpipe and the DAT outputs via SPDIF.

 

[Havoc]

Forgot to mention the HD recorders. They are becoming a nice alternative to the DAT. Something like a Fostex VF80 or a D824. You then have the option to go to higher bitdepths. Certainly if you have line power when recording.

 

[jimmy_LD]

YAAY!

I bought the DA-30!
This is AWESOME!

thanks for the advice, whether for or against DAT recorders!

Jimmy