multitrack choices

  • Thread starter Thread starter 69'vette
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69'vette

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I hate to start any fights, but here goes...

I've finally decided to quit fighting my impulses and dive into building that home studio I've wanted for ages. I plan on doing an analog/digital setup, and for the analog side, I've already procured an Otari MTR 10 1/4" half track for mastering. I'm trying to decide on an 8 track next. (Can't afford more...) I have a Fostex R-8, but I want to move up to 1/2". There are so many choices though that my head is about to explode. The divergent prices and opinions I've found are enough to drive a man to drink!

What are the ups and downs of the affordable 8 track 1/2" models out there? Is the Tascam 48-58 series really much better in quality or sound than the 38 or the TSR8? What about the 80-8, or an Otari 5050 MK III, or other models and brands? I realize this can be pretty subjective, but I figure I've got to start somewhere! I'm still not 100% sure on that Otari MTR 10 yet either. Has anyone had experience with it, or the MX 5050, or some other 1/2 track that would be better?

I plan on using a Delta 1010 for the computer side of things. Probably with Cubase VST 32. I've heard a lot of Mackie bashing, and have thought instead about the Allen & Heath WZ16, or a Spirit FX16, or...? Any thoughts there?

I realize I'm only at the beginning, but any direction or advice, here or privately, would be greatly appreciated. Also, is there a good way to find reliable pricing and sales sources?

Thanks all!
 
Recording on wider format analog tape is cool and can sound great but any particular reason you don't want to consider a digital rig of some kind? Hell, I wouldn't mind a 2" 24 track MCI sitting in the basement but maintainence and tape costs (even for a 1/2' machine) are too much for me. I've been around long enough to know that the old arguments about analog warmth and digtal coldness are just a myth anymore, but, to each their own.
Check ebay for a Scully. Their pretty cool.
 
Yeah.. The good old "Tape is Warm" argument.. He He

That is getting old now... I think the general concensus is that tape adds some slight midrange artifacts (if thats the word to use), but with digital, you get exactly what you put in..

No good or bad, it's just what you prefer..I prefer Digital but, Tape does have a nice sound and it has it's own sort of compression....
 
Seems you are just starting out, or anyway planning for a big investement. I think you'd better invest in a good digital setup, which might give you more for the same amount of money. Maybe invest in a better mixer instead, get some more outboard gear...

It seems strange, You're talking about a seperate recorder for mastering, and in the same post you mention quite small mixers, and all 8 track recorders... 8 tracks really isn't all that much you know. I'd get a bigger mixer, a digital setup and some outboard gear...

What gear do you have already?
 
Food for thought is appreciated

As I said, I plan on using digital and analog. All I need in the mixing dept. for the time being is 16 channels. As of now, I have a Fostex R8 and an Otari MTR 10 1/4" half track with tc. The R8 is gonna go, and I considered upgrading to 1/2". I could give a rats ass about the analog/digital or any other "us vs. them" argument. It's all about preference. The maintenance issue is a good point and is taken. My only definite is mixing to tape for final mastering, because I prefer that. Unless I end up doing some very heavy projects, the 1/4" format will suit me. If I need to move up to 1/2" later, I'll do that.

Of course, a good arsenal of mics and other assorted outboard gear and the computer side of things are all in consideration as well. I'm leaning toward Cubase VST 32 and a Delta 1010, which is expandable. Im in pc world and most likely not going anywhere. I'm no millionaire, so every decision will have to be weighed with that in mind, but I won't buy crap either, so if this takes a while that's fine. The computer stuff will be last for obvious reasons.

Most of what I'll be recording will be melodic rock, loud rude & aggressive tracks from my metal days, and some experimental acoustic based stuff. The midi will be minimal, but will always be a consideration where appropriate...

So that's where I stand now. Thanks for the advice and keep it comin'.
 
Hi 69´vette, I´m also a fan of analogue and I love digital as a complement medium. I think this is a matter of taste to choose one or another because that´s not to say that digital recording is better than analogue but the point is: they are different! It´s an obvious thing that digital provides a more accurate representation of sound than the tape compression of analogue but who cares? Both are electronic processes so neither is a natural medium, only a representation of original sound. We all still love the recordings made on analogue and all that "stone age " stuff so if youre interested in using both technologies its okay you´ll be using the best of both worlds!
I plan on using an hybrid home studio setup as you and Im thinking about buying an Mbox (cause I have an Imac) to use with a multitrack reel to reel recorder (maybe an 8 track 1/2"), a mixer and a midi interface.Well, a good multitrack can be very expensive so you can check out the Tascam 38 model (used) as an alternative. You can record drums, bass and guitars on tape and after go to hard disk to edit on digital.
I think we can keep in contact to help on suggestions right?
Thanks!
 
digital is a lot cheaper to replace/maintain.

id go with a good digital multitrack (such as the Mackie HDR2496) and keep the Otari as an analogue mastering option.

if youwanted the tape feel on one of the tracks on the mackie (say the bass..), you could always run the bass into the otari, and back in. this would cause a bit of signal degration, but if you do things cleverly, you may be able to get away with it!

digital is way easier to edit too! oh, and it's getting cheaper and cheaper!
 
Track Rat said:
Check ebay for a Scully. Their pretty cool.
Click to expand...

Scully machines are cool... but finding parts for them is not. My old mastering studio had a 1/4" 2 track Scully... the thing had this big fatty heavy stabilizing roller. Pretty weird, but it worked. Not as nice as our Ampeg, but not as fussy either.

I've worked with Tascam, Otari, and Studer 1/2" multi track machines. The Otari was probably my favorite because it was the easiest to do alignment and set-ups on. The Studer was nice, but expensive to fix. The Tascam TSR8 is a nice unit for the money and comes with onboard dbx noise reduction. Not in the same class as Otari or Studer of course.
 
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