Backup Recorder: Tascam DTRS or Fostex D Series?

[gareth.h.rees]

Hey guys.

Putting together a Laptop/RME Multiface based mobile rig and looking at standalone recorders for backup. I don't yet have the need or budget for a HD24 so was looking at some recorders on ebay.

DA88's seem to be a similar price to Fostex D80's etc so was wondering which format would be a better option. The Fostex would be good since its hard drive based, but the Tascams are more of an "industry standard".

It would be nice to be able to sync to video, but I'm not too worried about this since the multiface only has wordclock out (which I believe is not the same as SMPTE clock?)

Cheers
Gareth

[Don S]

Originally Posted by gareth.h.rees

Hey guys.

Putting together a Laptop/RME Multiface based mobile rig and looking at standalone recorders for backup. I don't yet have the need or budget for a HD24 so was looking at some recorders on ebay.

DA88's seem to be a similar price to Fostex D80's etc so was wondering which format would be a better option. The Fostex would be good since its hard drive based, but the Tascams are more of an "industry standard".

It would be nice to be able to sync to video, but I'm not too worried about this since the multiface only has wordclock out (which I believe is not the same as SMPTE clock?)

Cheers
Gareth

This really depends on your needs for track count and bit/sample rate. How are you going to feed your backup?
I have a DA78 and love it for this purpose. It sounds pretty darn good as a master if you feed it analog. But lately I use it with the TDIF-ADAT converter and send the tracks out of my FF800 via the ADAT ports.
If you need more tracks and higher resolution, I would go hard disc based such as the Alesis HD24XR. Even the lower HD24 can be found on ebay cheaply.
I'm not familiar with the fostex D series.

[gareth.h.rees]

Hey thanks for the reply

At the moment, 8 tracks at 16/44.1 would be fine - if/when I need more, I'd invest in an Alesis HD recorder. I could feed the unit either analog or ADAT (perhaps convert to TDIF like you have) directly from my pre-amps.

Here's a Fostex D90. Similar sort of thing to the tascam, 8 tracks at 16bit, but hard drive based. FOSTEX D90 Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder GWO (1) on eBay, also, Recorders Rewriters, Pro Audio Equipment, Musical Instruments (end time 02-Aug-08 18:00:00 BST)

I've read that digital tape (mainly the old ADATs) can be very unreliable, but imagine the tascams are better - but that may just be me!

Thanks
Gareth

[d_fu]

I used a second-hand DA-88 for while until it produced an unusable backup tape one hot summer day... Haven't used it since.

I bought a Fostex D-160 on ebay. For 8 channels @ 16/44, you could even look for a Fostex VR800 (got one in Germany for just over € 100):

With a 40 gig drive (easily exchangeable), you've got lots of recording time. And it's very compact. But it won't even do 48k, 44.1 is all you get.

Daniel

[gareth.h.rees]

Thanks d_fu!

That little fostex looks ideal! Suppose it wouldnt be any use if I needed to submix some channels but if it was cheap I'd manage! What are the practical uses of 48khz? I know video tend to use 48, but in a "recording" situation would it make that much difference - would it not be just as effective to convert from 44.1 to 48 once the tracks have been transfered to the computer?

I noticed you used a tascam in the rig pictures thread which was why I started to have a look at them. Seems like digital tape is not ideal and hard disks are the way to go!

I did mention this in the other thread but you probably haven't had chance to check it so I'll mention again here... what sort of track counts are you able to get from your Toshiba 900mhz laptop, recording to internal drive? Probably going to use an old laptop myself if it can handle 16 - 24 tracks of 24/44.1

Thanks for the advice
Gareth

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by gareth.h.rees

I noticed you used a tascam in the rig pictures thread which was why I started to have a look at them. Seems like digital tape is not ideal and hard disks are the way to go!

The only problem is that sooner or later disks that work with this recorder may be hard to get (and only second-hand)... It works best with certain types of Samsung disks, I believe 80 (or maybe 120) gigs maximum. It's probably a good idea to buy two or three spare disks on ebay, and keep them in case the inbuilt drive fails. Changing the drive is easy.
When buying a VR800, one also has to make sure it's got the latest firmware in order to work with larger drives. I had to buy a used old SCSI Zip drive just to be able to update.

I did mention this in the other thread but you probably haven't had chance to check it so I'll mention again here... what sort of track counts are you able to get from your Toshiba 900mhz laptop, recording to internal drive? Probably going to use an old laptop myself if it can handle 16 - 24 tracks of 24/44.1

That shouldn't be a problem.


Daniel

[dlmorley]

Fostex D2424 is a good machine. Can't say much more! Worked for me.