Suggestions?

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glaciersofice

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I need an 8 (or more) multitrack recorder to record my drum machines (each of the 8 tracks individually). I've read a lot of good things about the Tascam 488, but I would like to record 8 tracks simultaneously. Now not only am I going to use it to record my beats, but eventually I'm going to have an artist I'm going to start working with record vocals, so I guess I'm looking for something pretty good. I didn't mention I'd prefer tape, actually that's really all I want (maybe minidiscs?). Also, I want something that I can control the eq's of what I'm recording (like the 488) Any type of help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
Until somebody pops in here with a better suggestion, I think either a 238 (cassette deck) with a mixer, or a 388 (1/4" open reel tape portastudio) by itself would probably fit the bill nicely. That's my guess at least.:cool:
 
wow, they both seem real great! there's a 388 up on ebay right now, but I don't have the proper funds for it at the moment. I think between the two, the 388 sounds best. any other suggestions? (doesn't have to be tascam)
 
If you are looking at integrated (i.e. 'Portastudio' type) 8-track analog recording/mixing devices its going to be Tascam AFAIC...

Akai made a 12-track recorder, the MG-1212...it used 1/2 inch tape in proprietary Beta-like cassettes. Upside? 12 tracks on 1/2 inch tape. Downside? Proprietary unobtanium cassettes, grossly inferior parts/user/service support.

Yamaha made the MT8X which was much like the 488 and in the second generation (MT8X II) had some superior mixing features as far as workflow and monitoring IIRC. Upside? Yamaha makes good stuff. Downside? They are FAR less common than the 488 (which is no less 'good stuff' than the Yamaha variant) which mean inferior user support and potentially parts support.

The 688 is another option from Tascam. Think 488 on steriods but not as heavy a dose as the 388. The 688 is a cassette-based system like the 488 but has internal MIDI sync features, electronic patching scene memory, a far superior mixing section, can do 8 track simultaneous, 10 XLR mic inputs with inserts (no phantom power though), built in meter bridge...the KING of cassette Portastudios. Generally go for 250~300 bucks. Good user support, relatively good parts support...so that might be a better financial alternative to the 388. I have a 388...I really like 'em. Absolutely nothing else like it was ever made, and they have a good following...good parts availability. A total step up from the cassette units (which were very well made so let's be clear I'm no knocking the 488/688...I'm a fan of those as well for sure)...As far as I can tell (from having disassembled a 388 and comparing to other Tascam gear I've disassembled like their models 58 and 48 1/2 inch 8 track decks, M-308 and M-520 mixers), the 388 was, in a basic sense, a mini M-300 mixer mated to a scaled-back 1/2 inch 8 track deck...in other words it is professional grade. Lotsa metal, very little plastic. An extremely nice 1/4 inch tape transport and if you ever DID run out of tracks you can get another 388 and a synchronizer and chase lock 'em...you can do that with the 688 too. The upside to the 688 that I can see is that it is MUCH more portable than the 388, and has built in MIDI sync features. Plus the media is cheap compared to a reel of 1/4 inch tape and there is less to go wrong with a cassette transport (though the 388 is reliable). Upside to the 388 is the obvious higher record quality potential with 1/4 inch tape at 7.5 ips, a completely different class as far as design and engineering, and the most powerful mixing section of any integrated analog unit.
 
The 688 and the 238 use the some head and transport design, if I'm not mistaken, and operate under the same specifications.

The advantage (and at the same time disadvantage) of the 238 is that it requires a mixer, which is great in order to achieve exactly what you want to achieve, because you can pair up any mixer you'd like, but of course this makes your studio less portable and means you need to purchase additional components.

Either the 688 and 238 will allow you to record on all 8 tracks simultaneously.

-MD
 
The damn irony of the 238 and 688 is that (I think, anyway) that Type II cassettes are getting harder to obtain than open reel tape. Granted, the price difference between the two mediums is substantial, but it blows my mind on how hard it is to find XL-II or SA series cassettes!:eek::mad:
 
thanks for the responses! a quick search for "tascam" on my local craigslist gave me a 688 for $100, a 388 for $350 (obo), an M-208 for $300, and a 424 for $25 (which I am getting!). Honestly though, the 388 is going to probably be my main choice. The only problem is, I don't really know what to check when I go buy it, and the town the seller is in is something like two hours away. I would hate to go down there to find out there's something I wouldn't want to be wrong be wrong with the unit, but he says all works well. Good choice?
 
and to Jim Lad, thanks, but I don't want to go digital at the moment. also, I want to have hands on control of what I'm doing, no going through menus or anything like that...

but, I am planning on buying protools with the 8 channel digi mixer in a year or so (let's see how far this music thing goes)

here's a link to a project I was working on a couple months ago, so you guys can get an idea of what I do: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ytofjkmfyzm
 
jjones1700 said:
The damn irony of the 238 and 688 is that (I think, anyway) that Type II cassettes are getting harder to obtain than open reel tape. Granted, the price difference between the two mediums is substantial, but it blows my mind on how hard it is to find XL-II or SA series cassettes!:eek::mad:
Click to expand...

I think I seen a thread on this in the last week or so about the cassette thing. try http://www.tapes.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=XL-II+&x=24&y=22 for the tapes your looking for. From what I remember their is a 25.00 minimum order.
 
Any others?

Does anyone have experience with a Fostex x-88?
 
Out of curiosity....


Since they are drum machines...why do you stress tape (not to mention, you seem to be looking at Lo-Q tape solutions)...when the machines are probably digital samples anyway...???

Don't get me wrong, I track to tape, and then dump to a DAW for editing...but if I was going to include drum machines in my recordings, I would maybe track my other instruments to tape and just dump the drum machine sounds direct into the DAW.
Going to a super-small tape multi-track format won't really improve the drum machine sounds.

What's your reason/purpose...?
 
To Jim, I wish I had that much money to spend! To miroslav, let me break it down for you. I'm 19, I make sample based production (MPC-60, SP-12, EPS-16), I use vinyl for my samples, I'm more of a hands on type of guy (most of the digital audio workstations don't have control knobs, I'd have to go through menus), I own a mac mini so I'd have to either get an audio interface for a clean connection or an external sound card (I'm pretty sure they make those...), my computer is in a separate room that has limited space, I have very limited space in my room (attic is getting fixed in the near future), I have a part-time job (get about 200 a week), and I have school (still have to pay that). My point, I don't have much money to spend, and I have limited space. Plus, I like the sound of analog vs digital, personally. If you have any suggestions on what I should do, any help would be appreciated. I know all that stuff wasn't necessary to write, but I felt you had to know! (By the way, checked out your site, real nice setup! Heard the last song you had up, enjoyed that too! A lot actually, much respect.)
 
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