Interestingly enough, I just made the transition from analog 4 track (using a standard audio cassette) to a digital 8 track system (using MiniDiscs.)

I had been using my trusty Tascam 246 Porta-studio which had served me well for many years but I'd outgrown it....and I must confess the difference between this unit and the Yamaha MD-8 is like night and day.

A 4 track analog recorder is fine, as long is it's being used as a composition tool, and you're not expecting CD quality sound from the finished product.

The drawbacks of using a cassette based 4 track, are a severe lack of ''headroom'' (term loosely defined as a ''separation'' of the various recorded sounds on different tracks - so that the ear can distinctly pick out and hear clearly each individual track, as more instruments get added - a lack of headroom means getting a muddy sound where the instruments mesh into each other..), and secondly significant sound degradation and tape noise when doing bounces (bounces also known as ping-ponging, are when you fill up three of the four tracks, and re-record / combine a mix of the 3 tracks onto the open 4th track, and erasing the 3 previously recorded tracks freeing up 3 fresh tracks for additional overdubs.

By the time you add up the cost of an analog 4 track, PLUS a decent entry level digital Reverb/Effects unit (ie: Lexicon MPX 100)and an entry level Compressor/Limiter, you've spent close to a $1000.00 .

For a few dollars more, consider a 4 track mini disk system. You will have better sound, more flexibility, and unlike tape, you have digital editing capabilities, and no rewinding, as the access to any part of the song is almost instant, and damn near CD quality sound.

If you're serious about home recording, I would suggest spending a few extra bucks and buying something you will grow into, rather than for the sake of saving a few bucks, buying something you will outgrow rather quickly as your creative endeavors become more elaborate and intricate.

There is not a huge learning curve operating either a digital or analog 4 track system. You can be recording music within an hour out of the box, provided you read the manuals. (grin)

Something to think about anyway.