FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Track Recorder

Question:
I hope this is an acceptable question to ask here; it's actually about machines that are more than four-track. (8 should be sufficient.) Anyone suggest a particular machine? I'm a songwriter-guitarist who needs a means to make good quality recordings using a variety of instruments plus vocals, in my recording studio - which is basically a coffee table in the corner of my living room. ;-) I've been using a Tascam Porta02 4-track casette recorder, and am keen to upgrade to something better with 8-tracks that uses a superior media than cassettes. (I'm assuming that digital recording better than recording onto magnetic media). However, I am still on a very tight budget, so I'm looking to pay no more than about $400 max. I do want a dedicated stand-alone machine rather than using a PC, due to shortage of space and a desire for fast power-up and ease of use. The choice of 'other media' seems to be hard-discs, mini-discs or memory cards. Whis is the best choice? Memory cards seem expensive, hard discs can break down, and I have no experience of mini-discs?

Answer:
You could try something like the Boss BR8. These can be had for well below $400 and will record up to 8 tracks, two at a time. It has a direct guitar input and a usefull range of effects. Songs are stored on convenient zip disks which you can transfer to a computer later if you wish. You can mix to stereo just like on a cassette 4 track and you get stereo analog outs and an optical digital stereo out as well. It does use data compression bet even so the quality is much better than cassette. Alternatively you could try something like the AKAI DPS12. These come up regularly on eBay and are solidly built. They can record up to 8 tracks at once and play up to 12 tracks. Full CD quality can be achieved and recording is on to a built in hard disk. For back nup you would probably need to add a CD writer but this can also be used to master Cds. I have a Boss BR8. I used to have a DPS12 which I sold for about $400 so I could buy its bigger brother the dps16.