TASCAM MAN
New member
Just wishing that Tascam would put out some brand new reel to reel decks,anybody else!?!
Blue Jinn
Rider of the ARPocalypse
The weird thing is I could not have afforded what I have now, based on what they cost when new, especially accounting for inflation. The 38 I bought second hand in 1989(?) still remains the most cash (as in actual bills handed over) I've ever spent for anything. Even if, e.g. the MSR-16 went for the same price as when it was introduced, I couldn't justify buying it.
Now I do think that manufacturing cost would likely be less now, with the access to the vast industrial resources of you know where, and the R&D has pretty much been done, but still. I do think and have said this many times, that there will continue to be an after market for repairing/maintaining the existing machines.
Now I do think that manufacturing cost would likely be less now, with the access to the vast industrial resources of you know where, and the R&D has pretty much been done, but still. I do think and have said this many times, that there will continue to be an after market for repairing/maintaining the existing machines.
TASCAM MAN
New member
To answer this(which is maybe true), you should look at the latest Sweetwater catalog I just got in this week. If you would just take a look at all the digital shit that cost tons of money and IF people are buying all this shit(stuff)then they are spending way more than I was when everything was hardware(which I love and always will) evry piece of hardware now has to have digital "stuff' made into so.....you are paying a lot more now in all actuallity!! Go look at there latest catalog at all the STUFF please....very very expensivive STUFF LoL !!!
TASCAM MAN
New member
Oh and by the way paw paw....I love my NEO 
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
I agree.
High end / newer computers are expensive.
High end preamps and outboard hardware is expensive.
High end software is expensive.
I think if you add up all these costs they would be comparable to what the average new "analog" system used to cost, back in the day. Of course we're not talking about 2" MCI's, huge boards or pro level stuff, but of Home recording oriented gear.
I've regarded this as true for a long time.look at the latest Sweetwater catalog....very very expensivive STUFF LoL !!!
High end / newer computers are expensive.
High end preamps and outboard hardware is expensive.
High end software is expensive.
I think if you add up all these costs they would be comparable to what the average new "analog" system used to cost, back in the day. Of course we're not talking about 2" MCI's, huge boards or pro level stuff, but of Home recording oriented gear.
Blue Jinn
Rider of the ARPocalypse
I've regarded this as true for a long time.
High end / newer computers are expensive.
High end preamps and outboard hardware is expensive.
High end software is expensive.
I think if you add up all these costs they would be comparable to what the average new "analog" system used to cost, back in the day. Of course we're not talking about 2" MCI's, huge boards or pro level stuff, but of Home recording oriented gear.
You make a good point. Beck has also pointed this out. There was a similar thread about this in one of the other forums. I haven't priced out a new computer (well I haven't bought a "new" computer since 1990 -- either roll my own, or buy a FreekBox....) and it is not easy to compare apples to apples. But if you figure a new Tascam 38 at about $2,000, add to that the cost of a board (which may not necessarily be required if you do everything "in the box" with digital) compared to something like the M-Audio 1010 and a new computetr, and use the bundled software, or go with Reaper (cheap) or a complete Linux system, (amortize cost of broadband internet and media) and go with e.g. ART or Behringer "lower end," preamps *(here I'm assuming you'd use the pres on the board for the analog system) I think digital would have a **slight** edge cost wise. Slight. (But not nearly the edge generally assumed) You also have to factor in tape and occasional maintenance for analog, which you don't have with digital, as long as you don't get hooked on the endless "upgrade" (HAH!) cycle.
However, the analog system has the edge of using outboard effects, more I/O and routing options. If you add that to your basic digital system you're much closer cost wise if you go w/ comparable stuff (the 38 1010 comparison -- where the computer essentially becomes a substitute for a tape deck)
I'm just taking a swag at the 38's street price. Feel free to contradict me with better info.
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josso61
New member
Just wishing that Tascam would put out some brand new reel to reel decks,anybody else!?!
Agreed!!!