tape vs dig redux

[jnorman]

i am using a yamaha mt4x for multitracking small acoustic ensembles. it is a familiar and comfortable format, but i am aware of its drawbacks. i have been investigating alternatives, including minidisc, stand-alone hard-disc recorders, ADAT, and home-computer software-based systems. i have gotten so many different stories about these items, i now have no clue whether it is worth it to change from what i know or not. as usual, cost is a primary factor, but at least as important is whether the new system is intuitive and user-friendly. the software i have tried on my computer (cakewalk 8 and n-track) has proven to be glitchy, prone to hardware conflict problems, and certainly not as intuitive as i would want. dealers have tried to talk me out of minidisc because of the unavailability of the data-type discs. the roland vs-series look pretty good, but i have always been wary of any box that claims to do it all. should i just stick with what i know, or is it worth it to learn some completely new system?

 

[sonusman]

what price range are you looking at? what kind of quality do you expect for that price range? do you want to expand later? do you need editing capabilities?

[This message has been edited by sonusman (edited 09-15-1999).]

 

[jnorman]

okay - a little more information. for the first time, instead of just demos, i need to be able to produce a mix of high enough quality that it can successfully be mastered for CD production. i need to keep any new multitrack gear to well under $1000 (i can get and old adat for about $600, for example). the rest of my budget needs to be spent on a better reverb, and i have had some comments that i should really just take my entire budget and buy the best reverb i can, and keep using the little 4-track. btw, any pro quality reverb recommendations would be helpful.