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dtb

dtb

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I hope this is not considered cross posting since I did this in the Fostex forum, but anyway, here's what I do and would like views on which digital multi-tracks (standalone, no puter) units would work best for my use.

What I do and would like to continue with digital MT:

record my own stuff using acoustics, electrics, synths, some vocals

record with 2, 3, or 4 pals simultaneously ( need maybe up to 8 inputs, can be 4 inputs with good bouncing features )

mix down to a cd recorder

I have: plenty of good mics ( 57s and 603s )
a 16 channel mixer with 8 direct outs
a standalone cd recorder
424mkIII ( what I use now )

Budget: maybe as high as 800.00 but perferred to be lower, this is just a hobby for me. I know that the inputs and simultaneous recording features will effect the cost greatly, so I could see staying in the 4 track domain.

Anyway, your thoughts and views have always led me in the right direction so far with this hobby. Go to it fellow HRs.

dtb
Dan
 
Look for a used ADAT (an LX20 or an XT20). They can be had for that price or even a bit less if you look around. Eight simultanious high quality tracks and it'll drop right into your existing mixer set up seamlessly.
 
thanks Mike,
more research. Haven't even thought of that.

dtb
 
$800 would get you a brand new 788,...

but to the best of my knowledge, the 788 won't record 8-simul, and is limited to 6-tracks recording simultaneously. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me. The 788 is a 24/96 recording device, isn't it? I don't remember, & don't have the spec sheet in front of me.

I've seen the Fostex FD-8, that seems like a pretty good, functional unit. It has a bay for an internal drive, and a port for an external drive, and records 16 bit/44.1Khz. I'm pretty sure that the FD-8 will record 8-simultaneously, and can be gotten for about $450/used, more or less.

I think Village Idiot has a Fostex FD-8, so maybe you could ask him about it, for more details.

;)
 
I think $600 gets you a Tascam 38 and M30 mixer,...

but that's another post, for the Analog or Tascam forum.;)
 
hey Dave,
What's up dude? I'm starting my once a year research into something new in the recording line. Man, I get so confused. Where's the "dell dude" when you need him? The 788 looks good and 6 simuls would be fine if in fact that's correct, which I think it is. Shit man, this stuff is for mostly myself, and even with all my talent, I don't think I can play but one instrument at a time. he he he he he. And you should know, Tascam has been very good to me. I have always thought you should stay with what got you there. The thing is, I'm a little tired of tape. I know, analog is the greatest, and I would never get rid of my 424mkIII, but this shit they keep saying,"no more rewinding, etc." has got me. But as these things go, I'll more than likely get over it when the $$$ have to be put on the old barrel top. Man, I have to work a long time to get 6, 7, 8, hundred dollars. And that's if I can not spend it as fast as I get it on life ( dope, drink, etc. ). I did quit smoking though. May 25 will be 3 months and I have not even cheated. I may be gay though, every time my pals light up, I want to sit in their laps. he he he he

later

dtb
 
The Tascam 788 should be within your budget.
Click to expand...

......800 bucks will get it too. I bought mine for 790.00 at Guit C. in December. Im very pleased w/ it..... I dont think i will be recording live drums so the amount of tracks available to simultaneous record really wasnt an issue for me. I cant say enough about how impressive the "digital" aspect of it is. Editing becomes something that you look forward to rather than dreading. The built in effects that the 788 has are pretty damn cool too. They are arranged in a way that might seem strange at first... but the reason that they are arranged that way becomes clearer after farting with them. ....and pretty decent compression for a unit this size. Have fun.....mike:D
sorry....im trying to figure this quote thing out
Click to expand...
:confused:
 
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Dan,

It sounds like the 788 should fit your needs pretty well, and it's otherwise a fine unit.

If you haven't seen the 788 in person, you may be surprised to see how small it is. Being 6-simul & 24/96 in such a small Portastudio format is a really good thing, and it's more powerful with embedded built-in effects. The sound quality that's built into the 788 is really astounding, when you hear it in person. For someone who's working alone or in small ensembles, the 788's a great choice.

True, Tascam is my brand of choice, although I've strayed and gotten a few Fostexes too. In general, from my first hand experience, Tascam has the breadth of products and quality that's quite above Fostex, but to be fair, Fostex does have its' certain products that are real gems. IMO, Fostex has been a 'me-too' company in recording gear, but I do have a short list of Fostex products that I think are premiere grade products.

Funny, but the "no rewind" argument never added up to much for me. Rewind time is not an issue to me, I guess I'm not that tightly wound, or neurotic, haha. Also "built in effects" and "mega-powerful-editing" has never been something I cared much about.

As you may have figured, I've gone basically "roots" with my productions, lately. On my last major piece of work, I used no effects, and did not use any editing techniques, not even the punch-in pedal. Further, on mixdown I mixed to mono. That's 'roots', alright.

Oh well, enough about me. I guess that's another post. I know I'm definitely out of the mainstream.

On topic, the 788's a fine little unit, that sounds great, has all the whizbang features you'd expect from a state-of-the-art digital recorder, and I've heard examples of people having very good results with it. The added S/N you get on the 788, over the 424mkIII, is a very noticeable difference, that cannot be overlooked or denied. It'll practically blow you away.

;)
 
shut up,
just had a most resounding evening. the bluegrass boys showed up with 2, count'em 2, extras. Yes, we had 5 members of the original late 70's blugrass band, the "Spencer Hill Band" on hand tonite at Knollwood Studio, in South Boston, Va. On a normal WNJ ( Wednesday Night Jam ) the bluegrass boys come over and I might get a whole 90 min. cassette ( 22 min. on my 424MKIII ). Tonight I got 3, yes, count'em again, 3 each 90 min. tapes. Got fucked up. Got drunk. Got religion. Shit man, it was like 20 years ( wait, maybe 25 years ) came upon us tonight. It was magic. That's all I can say. Got to go. Grass cutting at 6:30 am. and it's 11:25 pm. and I know the bowl I do on the way to the golf course will set me straight and remember all the little things that were said tonight.

later,

dtb
 
Fag. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)
I was going to see about jamming the next time I'm in VA, but not if you're gonna crawl into my lap.
 
well, I got a 788 on the way. Thanks again for all the input. Think I got a good deal. Used for 625.00.

dtb
 
That leaves a few bucks left over for beer & weed.

;)
 
"pop a top again", ugggg, huuh, cough, cough mmmmmnnmnmnm
cough, what's that you say, Dave, give me a sec here, hold on, cough,cough, ok, I think I'm better now. My eyes are watering.
he he he he he he he he

dtb
 
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