Herm
Well-known member
My latest live analog recording. 16 track fostex
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
I don't think the end of the cassette 4-track Portastudio is coming soon.
The cassette is the last analog holdout, and at least for Tascam, I think the market viability is there. It's hard to compare analog and digital based 4-tracks, but of the units I've compared, I still think the 424mkIII beats the digital based 4-trackers, both on price and full functionality.
The cassette based Portastudio offers a simple, economical, straight forward, no frills, full functioned recording/mixing setup, which if used to it's optimum capability, sounds pretty darn good, if not better.
[IMO], The advantages of the digital-based 4-trackers lies more in the 'virtual track' capability, powerful editing, quick shuttling/random access, and pocket-sized convenience of some of the units.
Even though digital eliminates tape hiss, and the sound quality of the digital 4-tracker is excellent, the load/dump methodology of some of these units is cumbersome and problematic for some people. Also, the digitals I tried out, the BR-532 and PXR4, had very limited onboard [input] mixing, somewhat limited output mixing, and all those dreadful little menus.
Something about the notion of being "digital" has everyone abuzz. Digital ain't all that. Being digital is just the latest gimmick. Some people hate the idea of recording within an LCD-menu-driven environment. Some people don't want or need fancy editing. The backup/restore schemes on the BR-532 and PXR4 were less than optimum, and the 788 looks like a decent unit for the starter, but as a 38/M30 user, I'm not very impressed with the 788.
There are still people who prefer straight forward, classic analog designs, and if 'the industry' discontinues analog recording completely, I think 'the industry' would be making a mistake.
The cassette is the last analog holdout, and at least for Tascam, I think the market viability is there. It's hard to compare analog and digital based 4-tracks, but of the units I've compared, I still think the 424mkIII beats the digital based 4-trackers, both on price and full functionality.
The cassette based Portastudio offers a simple, economical, straight forward, no frills, full functioned recording/mixing setup, which if used to it's optimum capability, sounds pretty darn good, if not better.
[IMO], The advantages of the digital-based 4-trackers lies more in the 'virtual track' capability, powerful editing, quick shuttling/random access, and pocket-sized convenience of some of the units.
Even though digital eliminates tape hiss, and the sound quality of the digital 4-tracker is excellent, the load/dump methodology of some of these units is cumbersome and problematic for some people. Also, the digitals I tried out, the BR-532 and PXR4, had very limited onboard [input] mixing, somewhat limited output mixing, and all those dreadful little menus.
Something about the notion of being "digital" has everyone abuzz. Digital ain't all that. Being digital is just the latest gimmick. Some people hate the idea of recording within an LCD-menu-driven environment. Some people don't want or need fancy editing. The backup/restore schemes on the BR-532 and PXR4 were less than optimum, and the 788 looks like a decent unit for the starter, but as a 38/M30 user, I'm not very impressed with the 788.
There are still people who prefer straight forward, classic analog designs, and if 'the industry' discontinues analog recording completely, I think 'the industry' would be making a mistake.
S
Sammander
New member
Here it is in a nutshell:
Analog will never die. I still use my cassette 4 tracker. It will never see a dusty shelf.
Analog will never die. I still use my cassette 4 tracker. It will never see a dusty shelf.
VOXVENDOR
New member
Sammander said:
Yeah, because it will catch all the dust before it hits the shelf....
(sorry had to)..
Krakit
Rzzzzz!
From what I have seen, the "LCD menus" are in ADDITION to what you find on the typical Cassette four track.
Digital four tracks have faders, pan pots and all the nessessary buttons that stop, play, and record.
The menu functions are for things you NEVER find on an analogue four track cassette recorder.
Editing, virtual tracks, onboard effects built in drum/bass machines etc.
Trashing digital four tracks for the "LCD menus" is like trashing a Cabin cruiser over a rowboat because you have toilets to clean.
Carl
Digital four tracks have faders, pan pots and all the nessessary buttons that stop, play, and record.
The menu functions are for things you NEVER find on an analogue four track cassette recorder.
Editing, virtual tracks, onboard effects built in drum/bass machines etc.
Trashing digital four tracks for the "LCD menus" is like trashing a Cabin cruiser over a rowboat because you have toilets to clean.
Carl
C
chessrock
Banned
Hiss, wow, flutter versus snap, crackel, pop.
Pick your poison.
Pick your poison.
zip
New member
Snap Crackle and Pop make for better morning eats...