Favorite 4-track!!!!!!!!

[Beltrom]

If you guys keep talking like this I'll have to get my old 244 in from storage...

 

[johneeeveee]

hey beltrom...

... go get the 244, and get away from the computer for a while. the limitations of a 4 track can sometimes make you think more creatively and also whittle it all down to the bare essentials. 32 tracks on the computer with unlimited editing and use of plugins is a different mindset... powerful, but different.
call me crazy, but i dig the sound of lo fi caasette recordings with heart. i can't wait to have the room to get a 1 inch machine and learn all i can about real analog recording. i've been fortunate enough to record on 1 and 2 inch reels, but i look forward to owning one myself. in the meantime, the 244 is my friend.
peace- jv

 

[cjacek]

Re: hey beltrom...

... go get the 244, and get away from the computer for a while. the limitations of a 4 track can sometimes make you think more creatively and also whittle it all down to the bare essentials. 32 tracks on the computer with unlimited editing and use of plugins is a different mindset... powerful, but different.
call me crazy, but i dig the sound of lo fi caasette recordings with heart. i can't wait to have the room to get a 1 inch machine and learn all i can about real analog recording. i've been fortunate enough to record on 1 and 2 inch reels, but i look forward to owning one myself. in the meantime, the 244 is my friend.
peace- jv

Yeah, me too! I love the sound of lo-fi recordings .. Damn, some of my best recordings were done on a cheap 2 track Kenwood double cassette recorder! Talk about limitations and lo-fi! Yeah, it's all I had and had to get really creative and you know what ? With all of its simplicity I could put my heart and soul into the music and not worry about any of that "other" stuff ... I too have a 244 btw. Am always trying to simplify my recording process and really strip it to its bare minimum and concentrate on the music 'cause that's what we're here for, isn't it ? I now also own a 4 track reel to reel recorder, the TASCAM 34B, and waiting for my 308B mixer to arrive. Imho, Analog = simplicity and I love it. Would NEVER go "digital". Been there, done that ..

Daniel

 

[johneeeveee]

right on daniel...

... it's inspiring to hear from others that are on the same page. if it sounds good to someone then it is good, and i think there are a lot of people out there who dig the charm of humble little recordings that are imperfect, but personal.
peace- jv

 

[Beltrom]

I don't think I'm doing better music now then I did with the fourtrack (sad really). But I like toys! Next time I feel like I'm not getting anywhere I'll fetch it though. I've experienced the inspiration by limitation-effect on occassion.
Somehow I do feel closer to the recordings I've done with the 4-track, don't know if that's because they were my firsts or because of the media.

 

[A Reel Person]

I started on the 244, back in 1982! My first Tascam!

God, I love that 244!

Did I tell you I love the 244?

Want me to run down my equipment list, again?

Heh.

 

[cjacek]

Re: I started on the 244, back in 1982! My first Tascam!

Want me to run down my equipment list, again?

No, please no Dave! Unless, that is, you wanna cause a severe "traffic jam" on the boards!!

Good to have you postin' again, btw!

Daniel

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo, Reel Person, just a couple of corrections on the PXR4, which I use quite a lot- 128mb Smart media cards can be had now for about $36. In standard resolution, that's 180 track minutes. In high resolution, it's 90 track minutes, or 22.5 minutes in 4 track. By bouncing down overdubbed tracks, 45 minutes is fairly easy. There's now an adaptor you can plug into a smart media slot that will allow you to use a bigger card, bumping it to 512mb, so double all of the above. The adaptor's about $40, but the cards are still pricy, about $100 for 512mb. Aside from that, it's a tuner, a metronome, a reverb unit, does distortions, compressor/limiting, gate, all with adjustable parameters. No, I am not down on cassette 4-trackers, nor do I believe that digital is some magic godsend. I do, however, believe that you underestimate the Pandora.-Richie

 

[A Reel Person]

Richie,...

Thanks for the up to date info on the PXR4. It's a little too small and underpowered for my liking, but it is an interesting unit, nonetheless, that has a fine array of capabilities. I have no doubt its a strong performer in certain situations and categories. I've seen you recommend the PXR4 with an outboard mixer, which raises it's utility considerably. I've picked up on these other details you've laid out (above), through following your other posts.

Thanx again. /DA

 

[tahmus]

There's now an adaptor you can plug into a smart media slot that will allow you to use a bigger card, bumping it to 512mb, so double all of the above. The adaptor's about $40, but the cards are still pricy, about $100 for 512mb

I haven't been able to find such an adaptor ... does anyone know about this?
thanks

 

[Richard Monroe]

It'll take a few days, but I'll get you the link.-Richie

 

[KEVIN1600]

they all are good to start on

 

[cat-eggs]

a reel person, wow man you know a lot about these. i have an old 424 mkII..... is the mkIII just more compact? i don't intend to upgrade, just curious

 

[A Reel Person]

Not more compact!

The 424mkIII's upgrades over the mkII's are mostly the 6-full channel strips, vs. 4 on the mkII.

Most other things are the same or comparable, from the mkII to the mkIII.

The mkIII has a power "module" while the mkII has the "internal" power supply. In this case, I'd say the mkII's better. The external power module of the mkIII makes it no longer a one-piece Portastudio.

The color's different between the two, the mkIII has a lift-up cassette door, and the mkII has a spring loaded door. The mkIII has no Pause button, and the mkII does. The monitor section's layed out a bit differently between the two, but still functions the same.

The biggest thing you get with the 424mkIII over the mkII in "upgrade", is those 2 extra full channel strips. (Unless I missed something).

For the record, they're both cool units. I'd recommend them both!

 

[drummerdude666]

Tascam 414 MKII.......By FAR!

What do you mean?...of course I have other 4 tracks.....*cough*....no it's not the only one i've tried..*cough*.....*scratch neak*....

HAHAHA

 

[diogo]

im eyeing the 414 and the 424MKII...

tascam 4 trackers just seem happier ppl...
ive just read through this whole thread...and i guess its true: tape's better for the heart lol

Dave, i emailed u with some questions..hope u dont mind..

 

[MichaelM]

I like my 414mkII, it's a great little recorder. So much easier than firing up the computer to do demos and things. I need to go take it to the repair place tomorrow though because on playback, with the input selector set to tape there is no signal coming from track 2... None whatsoever. Hopefully it is something simple because I don't really want to pay a HEAP of money..

 

[MichaelM]

The mkIII has a power "module" while the mkII has the "internal" power supply. In this case, I'd say the mkII's better. The external power module of the mkIII makes it no longer a one-piece Portastudio.

I found this frustrating because back when I was looking for 4 trackers Aussie ebay had absolutely nothing, so I was considering buying from the US. Then the problem that nobody could seem to answer - is there a 110V/240V switch on the 424mkII so I could use the thing in Australia or would I need a voltage adapter. Doesn't matter now because I bought the 414mkII, but I would have liked the sweepable mids on the 424.

 

[A Reel Person]

There is no external 110/220V switch on the 424mkII.

If there is any conversion setting at all, it would have to be internal. I've not run into this question, & have not scoped the insides of the 424mkII, but I have the 424mkII service manual, so I'll give it a look, ASAP, TBD.

 

[MichaelM]

Ah you don't have to Dave, just could never find out back when I was looking for a four track.