Really- Should I? Sony 24-track OPEN REEL/DIGITAL Machines

[stevieb]

I just don't know ANYTHING about these- never even thought such a thing existed. Does anybody know about them? Predecessors to ADAT's? Cheap way to record 48 tracks digitally, with the visual "POW!" of open reels spinning 'round, or fiasco looking for a victim?

2 Sony Digital Multi Track Machines

Screen shot, for posterity:

 

[stevieb]

Bump, people. What say you?

 

[Track Rat]

Looks like a DASH machine. I'd stay clear of it unless you just want a museum piece. Just my humble opinion.

 

[stevieb]

Wikipedia does, indeed, ID it as a DASH machine. They also say it's still (as of 2006, at least) used in some higher pro studios. It would be going to our rehearsal/recording studio in New Orleans- studio101nola.com. DJ has been recording some bands there, using a HD24, I was thinking it might be a good thing to have, but I do have some doubts.

Why stay away if it's DASH?

 

[diggy_dude]

Make sure you can find tape for them. It looks like an outrageously expensive, albeit beautiful, way to record digitally.

 

[RRuskin]

As far as I know, no tape is being made for this format anymore and used digital tape, even if you can find it, is ill-advised. I have a 2-channel Sony DASH machine and can tell you that error correction increases with every play.

 

[stevieb]

By gosh, Ruskin, you are right! Went to the wikipedia post on DASH, and then google'd the three tapes that WERE made for it- only thing I found was DAT tapes, which are certainly NOT gonna work. Too bad- gorgeous machines, and being able to track 48 at once and have open-reels spinning had it's appeal.

Thanks, everyone. Gonna have to pass.