4 track recorders

Subject: Multi-track recorders
From: longhair
Date: 24 Dec 99 - 10:39 AM

Anybody recommend any certain multi-track recorder for home recording? Been looking at 4 tracks. Is there anything better for the money? Any particular brand better than others? Thanks

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: emily rain
Date: 24 Dec 99 - 11:37 PM

i'm curious too.

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: Owlkat
Date: 25 Dec 99 - 03:48 AM

Hi hi.
I've had some experience with Tascam porta-studios. I know that there's a lot of high tech digital stuff out there on mini-disc and dat, but for the money, you can't beat the usefullness of those little Tascam recorders. Plus, there's something about analog sound that just seems to sound warmer and better, if somewhat hissier.
There's a lot of used ones out there, and if the heads are in good shape, they can be a good deal. Just make sure that the heads aren't worn out and the sliders are fairly clean.
One thing I like about them is the easy learning curve involved with getting results out of them.
I'd suggest that you also get a vocal compressor from DBX or somebody else, to get more consistent vocal levels, and a reverb unit. That should set you up to do quite a lot, even a releasable demo recording.
Another way to go, is to see if you can dig up a four track, or better yet, and eight track reel to reel. I know Teac/Tascam made them, and if you can get a good deal on a used one, the larger tape format will give you more "headroom" and less tape "bleed". You can also fit a heck of a lot of sound on one tape reel.
People are tending to hang onto them these days because analog sound is making a comeback, and the recorders had lots of features. Still, they're out there somewhere. Good luck.
Make them tunes, dude.
Cheers.
Mart.

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: MK
Date: 25 Dec 99 - 08:46 AM

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.

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: MK
Date: 25 Dec 99 - 08:52 AM

...and no, I don't work for Yamaha, or any of the above-mentioned manufacturers...(grin)

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: longhair
Date: 25 Dec 99 - 10:44 AM

Owlkat and Michael, y'all have given me alot to chew on, (while chewing on a Christmas feast :-)). I see that I'm going to have to do more research into what I want and can afford. Both ways seem to have thier merits. Damn! I hate to have to use my brain, now it looks like I don't have a choice! lol! I really appreciate your input, and if you have anymore words of wisdom, I guarantee I'll be more than happy to listen. I appreciate all y'alls input.. Have a Happy Holiday!!!! :^) And thanks.... longhair

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 04:09 PM

Does anyone know how to bounce tracks on a Tascam 424 MK II?

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: mooman
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:18 PM

I still love and use my ageing Fostex X-15 4-track and tend to prefer the analogue sound to digital personally.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: treewind
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:34 PM

MD is the way to go if you really only want 4 tracks, but it's getting dated now because hard disk recording is so cheap. Most HD recording kit does 8 tracks or more (though you often can't record on all of them at once), and the lower end of the digital multitrack recording market is served by the machines that use solid state memory. (e.g. Fostex MR8).

You may find a second hand MD multitracker for a good cheap price on eBay, as users upgrade to hard disk.

I have a Sony MDMX2 Mk2
There are others made by Tascam and Yamaha.
I don't think any of them is available new now.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: PennyBlack
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 01:25 PM

Re. Mini discs recorders (we still have one we use for out and about recordings) - Am I wrong in thinking the discs for these machines (not the standard minidisc) are getting hard to find? I've noticed most of our suppliers here in the UK have dropped them.

Have always added a analogue stage in recording process to add warmth to the sound even though the main recordings are digital.

As said above many 4 track digital recorders (and some 8 track) use smartmedia to record to in MP3 format, which is ok for notebook jottings but too compressed for using for Audio CDs.

The Tascam, and Yamaha are both nice hard drive recorders - the Tascam being a little less involved re patching etc. The price on both of these is also very keen at the moment.

PB

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: robomatic
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 01:38 PM

I've just been looking at the new Tascam digital Pocket Studio 5. It uses compact flash memory and I've been holding off on concerns that soon flash memory will come in more modern format.

If anyone has one I'd sure like to know what they think of it, particularly compared to analog.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: PennyBlack
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 02:05 PM

robomatic - what do you intend to use it for?
Is the size important?
Price important?

Still record to MP3 format but at least compact flash have larger memory than smartmedia.

Can also play midi - which might be handy - if you use it.

I have had a Zoom PS-02 and still have a Korg PRX-4 (bought cheap at a guitar show) which I use as a song notebook jotter - I would rate this better than a cassette recorder and most can be used as effects units or even headphone practise amps.

If you are looking to burn CD/CDRs from your recordings you'd be better off keeping clear of MP3s (in my opinion)

PB

Subject: RE: Help: 4 track recorders
From: robomatic
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:36 PM

price is important, the small size is a plus, and it looks like it is pretty easy to use. I know compact media comes larger than smartmedia, but smartmedia is being phased out and compact media is from the same time period. I'd hate to end up with all sorts of devices using different memory cards, sort of like having all these blankety blank voltage adaptors all over the place.
I like mp3's at this stage. I think they sound at least as good as cassettes and they're very convenient.

Thanks for the thoughts!