portastudio's

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BrettB

BrettB

Well-known member
hi all,

I've been whining to everybody for months now that I'm going to buy some recording equipment, but I just going nuts when I have to make the choice. I doubted very long between ea second hand VS880, or a Fostex FD-4, but now I'm wondering what TASCAM has to offer me. I know the portastudio's but they mostly kinda hold me back because they are analog and I know many of you still love that, it kinda frightens me a bit. Is there also a digital offer from TASCAM. (I've heared about the 788 but when is it available)

thx for any help..

btw, I'v about 1000$to spend
 
Brett,
You're right it's a tough decision. Mostly because there are so many choices.
If you insist on digital, Tascam only has the 788. They do make a minidisk unit, the 564 (4 track), which I believe is a hybrid. Analog mixer, digital recrder. They also make a digital workstation that records to your computers' hard drive. The US 428.

Yamaha also makes a hybrid minidisk, the md-8 (8 track), and they just came out with an all digital 16 track hard disk unit AW 4416. It looks to be the premier portastudio on the market. Supposed to be available this month.

The Fostex FD-4 and FD-8 are Hybrids which allow several options for data storage, but are discontinued models. Replaced by VF-16, a 16 track all digital hard disk recorder.

Akai has two all digital units, one with 12 tracks, one with 16. The specs are not as good on the 12 track.

Korg makes digital 8 and 16 track machines.

And of course there's Roland with digital 8 and 16 track machines.

Oh, I almost forgot. The Boss BR-8 is a recent newcomer.
8 tracks. Records to ZIP disk, built in effects, and inexpensive.

Define your goal, define your budget, and weigh your options. Type in the manufacturer, and you'll be able to find web sites for all these units that will give you more info. Good luck.

Twist
 
BrettB said:
hi all,

I've been whining to everybody for months now that I'm going to buy some recording equipment, but I just going nuts when I have to make the choice. I doubted very long between ea second hand VS880, or a Fostex FD-4, but now I'm wondering what TASCAM has to offer me. I know the portastudio's but they mostly kinda hold me back because they are analog and I know many of you still love that, it kinda frightens me a bit. Is there also a digital offer from TASCAM. (I've heared about the 788 but when is it available)

thx for any help..

btw, I'v about 1000$to spend
Click to expand...

Brett,

I'll tell you what I personally would do if in your shoes:

Save some more money until you've got about $2,000.
Get a standalone 8-track recorder (such as the the Rackmount HD recorders)and a Mackie 1604 vlz Pro mixer.

That way you can skip the 4-track stage.

I personally don't like the "all in one" types of units, otherwise-I would just look at a Tascam 4 track.

Tim
 
hi guys

thanx for the replies. Tim has indeed a point when he says that he doesn't like all in one stuff. It gives you indeed not much opportunities to expand later on... But on the other hand, I just don't have the money for something else (just think about stuff like mics, effects,...).

I'll continue my search....

greetings

Brett
 
Yes--either keep saving your money or go with a Tascam 488 or 424 (but you'll want those extra tracks).

The VS880 is a good machine, but I don't know. I haven't really heard anything that sounded BETTER than my 4-track cassette 464--cleaner, less noise, but less life, as well. Don't mess with minidisc.

And that's my big prob with these digital stand-alones. Yes, they are quiet, the editing features are awesome. But you'll wind up spending at least the cost of that digital machine on preamps (definitely!), compressors, effects and mics just to make the thing sound like it has some life. The ones that do sound good will only point out how poor your eqpt. is!

With the 4 track cassette, there's no steep learning curve, no need to go beyond getting a decent mic and maybe a cheap pre. What you hear is what you get. And the "instant gratification" factor is MUCH better.

The new "20-bit" ADATs, 24 bit soundcards and hard drive machines sound damn nice, however. But $$$$$. And you're talking mixers, preamps, and good mics, too.
 
I got my Tascam 688 for $350. How's that for a bargain?
I also got a 6 channel phantom power supply for $67, and an AT3525 for $174.

Isaiah
 
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