Synch Fostex x-26 multitracker to midi ??

[infinitium]

Hi im planning on buying a Fostex x-26 multitracker but i don´t know if you can syncronize it with midi, anyone who knows ?
If i can´t which analog taperecorder should i buy.

Best regards conny

 

[Nils K]

Conny, the X-26 does not support midi sync, nor does any other analog multitracker currently on the market today. If you insist on analog, the Fostex 480 multitracker had an optional midi sync unit, sold separately, and You might be lucky and get your hands on a working unit.

However, I suggest you forget about analog recording, especially if you plan to do any midi stuff. This is the age of digital, really, and a lot of effort has gone into designing the operation of the units to be as 'analog-like' as possible. A lot of the digital HD recorders out there support midi sync, examples include the Fostex VF-16 and the Fostex MR-8, but the feature should be available in almost any HD recorder brand you could mention, like Yamaha, Zoom, Korg, or Tascam.

regards, Nils

 

[infinitium]

THanx for your great reply

Hi Nils
I usally only make electronic music with my computer with softsynths and etc.
I also previous have tried to record with guitar and bass to my computer with no great luck, so my main purpouse with an analog casset recorder is to see how "creative" i can be with only a bass and guitar and maybe using drums from my computer that´s why i wanted it to have this "midi synch" function.
Also because i get clicks im my audiorecording and want to spend some time elsewhere instead of infront of my computer.I agre in what you said that digital is the way to go, but my main idea is to record ideas and see how much i can produce.I will check out the names of the harddiskrecorders you
mentioned, i´ve seen that many people are selling the fostex dmt 8 a digital recorder is it good ?

Best regards Conny

 

[Nils K]

The Fostex DMT-8 is an obsolete recorder with very limited capabilities as far as production is concerned - today you may pick up something far more advanced in a package half the size. Unless you are able to get one at a real bargain, say, $150 or thereabouts, forget that, too.

It had some good features in its day, though: 16 bit 44.1 kHz recording - CD quality to you. The capability to record 4 tracks at once. Digital optical in/out. Midi sync. Good quality analog electronics.

It lacked some features, too, seen from today: No way to transfer tracks as wave files for mixing or editing on a computer. Limited space on the hard drive (I seem to remember that a 4GB drive was the maximum capacity supported - that translates at best to 800 track-minutes or less than two hours total recording time on 8 tracks without the option to back up anything). No built-in effects. Limited editing capabilities. No mixer automation. Most of these features are available in digital multitrack units sold today.

I know that these features may be secondary to you if you just want to jot down a few ideas, but I think that you will outgrow such a machine in virtually no time at all, possibly most of all missing the ability to back up your stuff. It's your choice, but I'd save my dough if I were you...

regards, Nils