A
aurorah
New member
Anyone have experience with the Fostex X-12 4track? Looking for an inexpensive beginners recorder to mix piano and a couple vocals just for fun, for now.
Krakit
Rzzzzz!
How much are you being asked to part with and how much are you willing to part with?
What aspects of recording are most important to you?
In other words, are you using this for a scratchpad or for demos?
Are you going to be recording the vocals seperately or simultaneously with the piano?
What aspects of recording are most important to you?
In other words, are you using this for a scratchpad or for demos?
Are you going to be recording the vocals seperately or simultaneously with the piano?
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aurorah
New member
fostex 4track
thanks for your response. This is actually a gift for my sister, so $150 is my limit. That's what Mars in Mpls was asking for the X-12. Sis will be putting down one track at a time, piano first most likely. It 's mostly for fun, but it would be great if the sound was decent enough to make a demo tape. We both would like to get into this more down the road, and I'm saving for a digital system for myself but thought this might be a good way to get her (our) feet wet.
Any other suggestions?
thanks for your response. This is actually a gift for my sister, so $150 is my limit. That's what Mars in Mpls was asking for the X-12. Sis will be putting down one track at a time, piano first most likely. It 's mostly for fun, but it would be great if the sound was decent enough to make a demo tape. We both would like to get into this more down the road, and I'm saving for a digital system for myself but thought this might be a good way to get her (our) feet wet.
Any other suggestions?
Krakit
Rzzzzz!
Well, I did some websurfing for the specs of your chosen unit. For the projects you're talking about it should work ok, but here's a list of pros followed by cons:
Pros
Ease of operation. You can probably start using this right away.
A fader for each track. This is very helpful if you want to mixdown your masterpiece to regular stereo cassette.
Cons
Ordinarily, you'd mic a piano with two microphones. Only one track can be recorded on the x-12 at a time. Since you're going to record an acoustic piano, you'll have to mic the sweetspot and hope for the best or get an outboard mixer (cheap yet quiet ones ARE out there) and get a good ambient mix to send to a single track. The only way to record the piano in such a way that you can pan in the mix, you'd have to mic each side of the piano for two seperate passes. Each pass would have to be exactly the same too, so the practicality is just about nil.
There appears to be no effect sends on the unit. If you plan on using any sweetening on the vocals, you'll have to shred them wet. Otherwise, you'll have to add effects to the whole mix (which shouldn't sound TOO bad) or each channel would get it's own effect (which would sound icky). There are other work arounds, but to use them means to make good arguments for shelling out another 50 or so dollars for a unit that has the above.
To Sum Up.
If it were me, I'd put more money into it. $199 would probably get me a fine portable to accomplish what you want to do. If the budget is set in stone, then go ahead and buy it (it looks like a fun little toy) and buy yourself a tiny mixer (Rolls makes some as does MidiMan) so you can record the full spectrum of the piano and maybe even get better control of the effects per instrument/vocal.
Good Luck.
Pros
Ease of operation. You can probably start using this right away.
A fader for each track. This is very helpful if you want to mixdown your masterpiece to regular stereo cassette.
Cons
Ordinarily, you'd mic a piano with two microphones. Only one track can be recorded on the x-12 at a time. Since you're going to record an acoustic piano, you'll have to mic the sweetspot and hope for the best or get an outboard mixer (cheap yet quiet ones ARE out there) and get a good ambient mix to send to a single track. The only way to record the piano in such a way that you can pan in the mix, you'd have to mic each side of the piano for two seperate passes. Each pass would have to be exactly the same too, so the practicality is just about nil.
There appears to be no effect sends on the unit. If you plan on using any sweetening on the vocals, you'll have to shred them wet. Otherwise, you'll have to add effects to the whole mix (which shouldn't sound TOO bad) or each channel would get it's own effect (which would sound icky). There are other work arounds, but to use them means to make good arguments for shelling out another 50 or so dollars for a unit that has the above.
To Sum Up.If it were me, I'd put more money into it. $199 would probably get me a fine portable to accomplish what you want to do. If the budget is set in stone, then go ahead and buy it (it looks like a fun little toy) and buy yourself a tiny mixer (Rolls makes some as does MidiMan) so you can record the full spectrum of the piano and maybe even get better control of the effects per instrument/vocal.
Good Luck.
A
aurorah
New member
thanks - very helpful. I would be willing to antie up $199 if I could get a perceivably better unit. Being able to sweeten the vocals would be great, though I guess we could settle for an all-for-one adjustment. What about the Tascam porta studios?
Krakit
Rzzzzz!
I haven't been able to find a unit with effect sends for under $200, but the deal below is "don't miss"
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/shop/rec/010509082323024185043024244323?pid=240055
Here's a little info
An ideal next step for those looking to upgrade to a more sophisticated multitracker, or for those hungry for more professional features than their entry-level MTR provides, the new Fostex X-24 cassette multitracker provides simultaneous four-track recording with two XLR mic inputs and insert points, while successfully eliminating the troublesome operational problems associated with conventional multitrackers.
The Fostex X-24s exemplary sound quality is produced with the benefit of a switchable Dolby B noise reduction system and a 3 3/4ipS tape transport speed, which is double the speed of traditional cassette (17/8 ips). The X-24's powerful and intuitive interface includes an Auto-Routing feature that allows for the automatic setting of all necessary functions by simply selecting which tracks to record, as well as an Auto-Bounce function which provides easy track bouncing with the simple touch of a button.
The Fostex X-24 also offers potent wide pitch control, with the ability to alter pitch anywhere from +15% to -50%. Unlike the majority of compact cassette multitrackers on the market today, the Fostex X-24 offers both unbalanced 1/4" phone jacks and balanced XLR inputs with trim control for subtle input level adjustments. The four line inputs work as inset jacks with a TRS plug, while the four tape outs are available for use with a drum machine or sequencer by feeding a sync signal.
At the extremely reasonable retail price, the Fostex X-24 multitracker offers other professional features that include a remote punch-in jack for an optional foot switch and a Rehearsal mode for practicing before the final take. All of these sophisticated features offered by the Fostex X-24 are contained in a portable, dependable and road-worthy package that measures but 12" wide and less than 3" high, weighing only about 3.3 lbs.
Happy music making,
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/shop/rec/010509082323024185043024244323?pid=240055
Here's a little info
An ideal next step for those looking to upgrade to a more sophisticated multitracker, or for those hungry for more professional features than their entry-level MTR provides, the new Fostex X-24 cassette multitracker provides simultaneous four-track recording with two XLR mic inputs and insert points, while successfully eliminating the troublesome operational problems associated with conventional multitrackers.
The Fostex X-24s exemplary sound quality is produced with the benefit of a switchable Dolby B noise reduction system and a 3 3/4ipS tape transport speed, which is double the speed of traditional cassette (17/8 ips). The X-24's powerful and intuitive interface includes an Auto-Routing feature that allows for the automatic setting of all necessary functions by simply selecting which tracks to record, as well as an Auto-Bounce function which provides easy track bouncing with the simple touch of a button.
The Fostex X-24 also offers potent wide pitch control, with the ability to alter pitch anywhere from +15% to -50%. Unlike the majority of compact cassette multitrackers on the market today, the Fostex X-24 offers both unbalanced 1/4" phone jacks and balanced XLR inputs with trim control for subtle input level adjustments. The four line inputs work as inset jacks with a TRS plug, while the four tape outs are available for use with a drum machine or sequencer by feeding a sync signal.
At the extremely reasonable retail price, the Fostex X-24 multitracker offers other professional features that include a remote punch-in jack for an optional foot switch and a Rehearsal mode for practicing before the final take. All of these sophisticated features offered by the Fostex X-24 are contained in a portable, dependable and road-worthy package that measures but 12" wide and less than 3" high, weighing only about 3.3 lbs.
Happy music making,
M
micmac
New member
I would have a look at the Tascam Porta02mkII. A couple of years ago i used a Tascam 414 (one step up from Porta02) and it was very easy to use.
The thing Krakit said about the Fostex only being able to record one track, you can record 2 tracks at the same time with the Tascam.
Tascam also has a good website ( www.tascam.com ) where you can get lots of info and download the manual and have a look before you buy. I have a Fostex-machine now, and i (and many others) can tell you one thing: their manuals are unbelievably badly written. It's Japanlish...
Just from looking, the Fostex looks easier to use for a beginner than the Tascam. Though i don't the difference is that much of a problem.
Good luck.
micmac
The thing Krakit said about the Fostex only being able to record one track, you can record 2 tracks at the same time with the Tascam.
Tascam also has a good website ( www.tascam.com ) where you can get lots of info and download the manual and have a look before you buy. I have a Fostex-machine now, and i (and many others) can tell you one thing: their manuals are unbelievably badly written. It's Japanlish...
Just from looking, the Fostex looks easier to use for a beginner than the Tascam. Though i don't the difference is that much of a problem.
Good luck.
micmac
H
Hot Rocks
New member
Check ot Ebay,For 200.00 you can find a Tascam 424.You can record 4 tracks at at time. if you can come up with another 40.00 that will put you into 424MKII and 464 territory,The best cassette 4 track/mixer ever made.I'm biased,I love Tascam products
Krakit
Rzzzzz!
I would have recommended eBay, but he's buying this as a birthday present for his sister.
I wouldn't want to:
but that's just me
I wouldn't want to:
- Take the chance that the item would be late
- chance that the item might be broken
- buy something "previously enjoyed"
but that's just me