I need an 8-track (or better) cassette multitracker. Any ideas?

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alloutdrummer

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Hey--
I need a cassette mulitracker that is capable of recording 8-tracks (or more) simultaneously. I have no particular budget range. Any ideas?
--Ned
 
dude, its the only thing that fits my budget (500 or under) and my needs (at least 8 tracks recorded simultaneously)
 
Dude, you cross posted this all over the forum you wanker.
 
yeah, cause i wanted to get as many results as possible
 
Try a TASCAM 238 sync-cassette or 688 midistudio

Look for either of these on e-bay. Both will record on 8 tracks simulataneously. The 238 sync-cassette is a rackmount thing. It's not a portastudio, per se, and it doesn't include its own mixer, just the multitrack. What's cool about it is that it will sync with another 238, so if you buy 2 and the appropriate cables, you'll get lots more tracks to play with.

The 688 is a fairly massive, full-blown portastudio deal w/mixer, XLR inputs, midi sync capability, etc. It's pretty old now, though - I think they came out in 1989 or so. Originally listed for somewhere around $3,500.00, but I've seen them under $600.00 on e-bay. The 238 will usually be cheaper than that, but then you'll need to get a separate mixer.

Hope this helps.

Bruce in Korea
 
Under $500? I'd go with a used 8-track DIGITAL recorder on eBay instead of a cassette. It would be used, but It would sound better (It depends what model you get, but cassette recorders are usually low low end). I wouldn't worry about knicks and scratches as much as quality. I'd go with a Roland VS-880 EXpanded HD (Hard Drive). Don't get one unless it's got the Expanded on it. The Expanded has all the effects, so it's totally self contained. This is VERY VERY good quality. Better than any pansy cassette recorder. But, even though the quality is very good, it only records 4 tracks at a time. If you could get around that, you couldn't go with a better deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=890982222

Here's one right now going for $360. With the money you save, buy a Roland CD Burner on eBay as well. You can just plug your headphones in there, and record. Just check them out. There are a lot of good Digital Workstations out there. I just know personally that This model is quality, especially for a $500 budget. But, going with a cassette recorder when you can go for a better quality digital recorder would be dumb.

I'm not kidding. This is the way to go. Don't go with cassette. You won't get quality. Go with this setup. A Roland VS-880 Expanded HD on eBay. Wait for a great deal. Get a CD burner. Roland makes one that works along with the VS-880 for sale on eBay too. Make sure you get a manual. Not very hard to use. Search the internet about them. You won't hear any bad things. If you buy them at eBay, you'll be under $500 with both the recorder and CD burner.

If you really need to record 8 at a time, look for one that does that. But, you'll still be under $500 if you go with a digital one at ebay!!!

And, you don't need a seperate mixer. All you need is the recorder, headphones, and a CD burner! You can get it all in your budget. And, it's got this nice ping pong effect, so you can record 8 tracks, and bounce them to one track. That means you can put 8 tracks on one of eight tracks. So, you really can record up to 64 tracks with no down side, other than the fact that after you bounce them, you can't take it back, so they better be mixed right.
 
What he said....

Yeah, that's true about digital vs. analog cassette, but then again, it all depends on what you want from the recording experience. Some people, believe it or not, are quite content with the lowly cassette portastudio. I still use mine all the time. But yeah, I agree with you, it's hard to argue with that price for that unit, although I had the 880VX a few years back, and I found it to be WA-A-A-A-AY TO-O-O-O-OO MENU DRIVEN!! (Roland stuff is famous for that.) Too much fiddling around with stuff, and I lost work on mine a couple of times. No thank you. But that's just me.
If I were to go for a digital unit, I'd probably get the Korg D1600 before I'd EVER go back to a Roland.

Psssst...... 100th post!!! Ta-Da!!!!

Bruce in Korea
 
I needed 8 track simltaneous recording on a limited budget, I bought a Fostex D80 (£300.00) Hard disk recorder . I works well. I presume as you want all 8 tracks at once that you have some kind of mixing desk already and you want it for live work so if your going digital you had better factor in a compressor into your budget. THe other option is an 8 track reel to reel say an R8. They are quite cheap and you might be able to get a second hand deal with some other gear thrown in. If your doing mainly live work the analogue format is more tolerant to level peaks. The dowside is that its bigger with more moving parts and more expensive to fix and maintain
 
Id dig finding out if any of these cassette multitrackers had outputs for all 4 tracks. Some times someone comes in with a tape they want put on cd, and Id like to be able to put them on my digital rig first and get rid of the noise then run through an exciter.
 
If you are looking for a cheap solution, I would suggest this. There was a PC card called the Wave 824 made by a company called Gadget Labs. I have one and am very happy with it. It's 8 in / 8 out, records 8 tracks at once, 24 or 16 bit, 41 or 48 sampleing rate. They were about $500 new, then the company went out of business. They only work under Win 98 / Win ME / Win NT. Because they don't work under Windows 2000 or XP many owners are upgrading and selling them cheap - I've seen them for $200. Pop them into a old PC running Win98, get some recording software, and you have a MUCH better solution than cassette.
 
I had the 880VX a few years back, and I found it to be WA-A-A-A-AY TO-O-O-O-OO MENU DRIVEN!! (Roland stuff is famous for that.) Too much fiddling around with stuff, and I lost work on mine a couple of times. No thank you. But that's just me.
Click to expand...

That is exactly why I am still recording in analog. I don't have the patients to have go hunt for what I want in some damn menu.

If I want a change in the sound, I'm going to reach for the knob and turn it, NOW.

Before anyone thinks I'm computer illiterate, I have an extensive computer background. I just don't have any patients. I'm too old and set in my ways to change. I grew up on analog and I'll quite likely die with it in the studio too.
 
I'd like to give you a big e-handshake!

You said it! I thought I'd take all this digital technology much better, but I've come to accept that I just don't like "fiddly" stuff. I still get mystified in midi as well! I lose inspiration if I can't just sit down and pump something out.

THE FOLLOWING IS OFF TOPIC:

Air Force vet, eh? I'm am army vet. I took flying lessons as a civilian years ago, though, but never got my license. Too expensive.

Bruce in Korea
 
You could always do this............

Instead of purchasing an analogue 4-track. You could buy a used :(16 channel Tascam board (TM D-1000). That will enable you to use your computer, record 8 tracks simultaneously, and send them bi-directionally to/from the board/computer.

TASCAM TMD-1000 (used)= $150 USD - $200 USD

TASCAM PCI-822 soundcard (used)= $100 USD - $200 USD

TDIF Cable = $35 USD

p.s. You need to be VERY leary or the TMD-1000. :( The are known for being troublesome.
 
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