Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Need recommendation on 8 or 16-track analog recorder

horndog · 22nd January 2008

I’ve been out of the music loop for a number of years now, so hoping someone can recommend a good 8- or 16-track analog recorder for a small project studio. Initially, I thought I’d get an iMac running Logic 8 with a MOTU firewire unit. Lately, I’ve decided I would like to track to analog and to the extent that I come up with something musically-worthwhile, I could transfer the tracks into the digital domain for editing later.

Going back about 15 years ago, I had a Tascam 486 Syncassette 4-track rack mount recorder. I like the immediacy of this unit in contrast with computer DAWs, i.e., turn the unit on and record instead of waiting for the computer to boot.

Sound quality is also a concern since headroom on tape is allegedly superior to digital. I plan on recording simple guitar-based rock arrangements, e.g., guitar (5-6 tracks max with double tracking), bass and a drum machine (via Reason NI Battery or external unit). I envision needing between 8 and 16 tracks total. I will not be recording with more than 1-2 other people at a time so I’d say a maximum of 4 inputs capable of being recorded at the same time.

My budget is between $500 and $1,500, but probably closer to $500 and $1,000. If I had $5,000, I’d probably go out and buy one of those Iz Radar 24 units, but unfortunately I do not. Plus, the wife wouldn’t approve of me spending that kind of money on “that stupid cr*p.” Anyway, hoping someone will be kind enough to offer some suggestions that will get me back to making music in as hassle-free a manner as possible without spending an arm and a leg yet retaining high sound quality. I plan to use good mics and preamps. Thanks in advance!

22nd January 2008	#1
horndog Gear interested Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 5 Thread Starter	Need recommendation on 8 or 16-track analog recorder I’ve been out of the music loop for a number of years now, so hoping someone can recommend a good 8- or 16-track analog recorder for a small project studio. Initially, I thought I’d get an iMac running Logic 8 with a MOTU firewire unit. Lately, I’ve decided I would like to track to analog and to the extent that I come up with something musically-worthwhile, I could transfer the tracks into the digital domain for editing later. Going back about 15 years ago, I had a Tascam 486 Syncassette 4-track rack mount recorder. I like the immediacy of this unit in contrast with computer DAWs, i.e., turn the unit on and record instead of waiting for the computer to boot. Sound quality is also a concern since headroom on tape is allegedly superior to digital. I plan on recording simple guitar-based rock arrangements, e.g., guitar (5-6 tracks max with double tracking), bass and a drum machine (via Reason NI Battery or external unit). I envision needing between 8 and 16 tracks total. I will not be recording with more than 1-2 other people at a time so I’d say a maximum of 4 inputs capable of being recorded at the same time. My budget is between $500 and $1,500, but probably closer to $500 and $1,000. If I had $5,000, I’d probably go out and buy one of those Iz Radar 24 units, but unfortunately I do not. Plus, the wife wouldn’t approve of me spending that kind of money on “that stupid cr*p.” Anyway, hoping someone will be kind enough to offer some suggestions that will get me back to making music in as hassle-free a manner as possible without spending an arm and a leg yet retaining high sound quality. I plan to use good mics and preamps. Thanks in advance!