Conference napalm::commusic_v1

>>    I am comparing the merits of two 4-speed recorders:  
>>    
>>        o  FOSTEX X30
>>    
>>        o  TASCAM Porta
>>    
>>    Any thoughts on the positive/negative attributes of
>>    these two machines?  The Fostex I understand costs
>>    a couple of hundred less, so if there are no big
>>    differences between the two, I guess I could go for
>>    the cheaper one to start out, and then maybe graduate
>>    to a better one later.
>>    
>>    Thanks for all your help.
>>    
>>    -Jeanne

Hi Jeanne -

I trust that you meant 4 track instead of "4-speed" recorders. Here are
my thoughts on the subject:

1. What features does each unit have:

Noise Reduction: Built-in DBX? Built-in Dolby-C? External DBX or Dolby-C? none?
Mixer:           Included? Extra? not available? stereo mixed outputs?
Record/Playback Speed: 1 1/2 ips only?  3 3/4 ips only? both?
                       servo controlled? (required for exact pitch control)
VU Meters:       electro-mechanical? LEDs? (I prefer LEDs for drum recording)
Monitoring:      tape/source select? headphone jack?
Inputs:          RCA and/or 1/4" phone? DIN? dubbing microphone?

2. What is intended use for the unit? If it is for your daughter to make a
   Berkley demo tape you will probably need at least the following additional
   equipment:

   o Microphone(s), such as Shure, stand, chord
     1 for single vocals only, several for recording acoustic drums. There are
     different kinds of mics for recording voice, guitar, drums, etc.

   o Headphones, for monitoring the tape as you record the next track

   o Mix-down deck, you will need a good 2 track deck, since the 4 track
     recordings will not play on a normal 2 track deck

   o Optional but nice:

        6x2 or 8x2 mixer
        power amp and monitor speakers for mix-down
        digital reverb unit
        digital delay unit

   The 4 track deck without the above accessories is just about useless.
   It sounds like you are going to set up a home studio. If that is the
   case, I suggest that you read about the complexities and cost of setting
   up a home studio in other notes within COMMUSIC before buying anything.
   Also remember, there is quite a learning curve to using this equipment
   properly. Unless you plan to do extensive on-going recording, it is
   worth it to go to a studio (private or commercial) for making a one-time
   demo tape.

3. To answer your specific question about the two units you mentioned, the
   FOSTEX X30 and TASCAM Porta, you will get better replies if you list the
   features and prices of each unit. There are so many models, and they are
   not frequently purchased. I am not familiar with either model. Try to get
   the brochures on each unit. List the specifications and cost in your note.

I hope that this will help at least a little bit,

Dave

        

   

    personally I prefer tascam, they cost more because they are better.
    
    my personal bias...
    
    dave

    
    Dave,
    
    I'm not planning to set up a studio or even make a demo
    tape, unless I could do it without buying lots of expensive
    equipment.  The 4-*track* (dumb!) I'm looking for would be
    for my daughter's use at home.  The Fostex I mentioned comes
    in a package with a headset; you have to buy your own mike.
    The guy at Daddy's in Nashua told me that mixers are not essential.
    
    Maybe this idea is not so good.  I was hoping I could just get by
    with the recorder and mike just to introduce my daughter to this
    sort of thing.  She also put it on her Christmas list, so you know
    how that is...
    
    -Jeanne

>>    The Fostex I mentioned comes
>>    in a package with a headset; you have to buy your own mike.
>>    The guy at Daddy's in Nashua told me that mixers are not essential.
>>    
>>    Maybe this idea is not so good.  I was hoping I could just get by
>>    with the recorder and mike just to introduce my daughter to this
>>    sort of thing.  She also put it on her Christmas list, so you know
>>    how that is...
>>    
>>    -Jeanne


If you have a good component home stereo system, you might be able to
get by for this type of use. Listening to the 4 track thru just headphones
will get pretty old after awhile. The longing to hear the final production
thru loudspeakers for personal and group listening enjoyment, and the
craving for more and better equipment becomes addictive. If the Fostex is
under $300.00, it might be worth it to give it a try as a learning experience.
A good digital reverb will enhance everything, especially voice and drums.
You could consider that as a future investment. The Fostex must have some
sort of mixer from 4 tracks to 2 stereo outputs? You can feed these outputs
into a 2 track mix-down deck or the stereo amp. A decent mic for vocal is
around $100-$150.

Happy Holidays,

Dave

    the fostex and the tascam both have built in mixers, they are very
    rudimentary but with practice you can get a fair sound out of them.
    
    I vote for tascam based on my personal bias. I believe they are
    better machines than fostex...also they cost more.
    
    dave                                

    Actually, the Fostex with headphones is about $500;
    the Tascam around $700 I believe.  We do have a Technics
    stereo system we can maybe listen through.  I'll have
    to find out about this.
    
    Thanks for all your suggestions.  We're still interested
    in making that demo tape with you.  It's just that things
    have gotten crazy.  I'll get in touch with you after the
    holidays to see how you're fixed for time.
    
    Have a Merry Christmas.
    
    -Jeanne

I have heard that Tascam gives much better sound, which of
    course is what it's all about...
    
    -Jeanne

>>< Note 1073.7 by DELNI::RAINOLDI >
>>                              -< Eeeny-meeney... >-
>>
>>I have heard that Tascam gives much better sound, which of
>>    course is what it's all about...
>>    
>>    -Jeanne

I have a TASCAM 234 4 track cassette which cost $995.00. It has built-in
DBX and is just a wonderful piece of equipment. I made one recording that
had 11 tracks (using bounce down) and there was no noticeable depreciation
in the sound quality or signal/noise ratio at all. TASCAM costs more, but
I think that it is the best also. There are other notes in COMMUSIC that
discuss 4 tracks. Use commands like "show keywords" and "dir/keyword=4-TRACK"
to find them. Also "dir 9999-1" will show you a directory of all the notes
from most recent to oldest in reverse order. "dir nnnn.*" will give you
a directory of all of the replies to note nnnn. This might help you
find more information. I think there might be some models with more mixing
features at comparable prices. $700.00 is getting up there.

good luck,

Dave

This is off the subject, but ...

   Would it be possible to avoid all the 
>
>
>
   references unless absoultely necessary?  Those of us out in the sticks
   (ie, NOT in the northeast) often are stuck with 9600 baud (or slower)
   DECnet links.  Our effective thruput is somewhere around 300 baud. 
   The less duplicate text I have to wade thru, the better. 

   Thanks for your consideration, and sorry for the rathole. 


brad_the_remote

    Could any British COMMUSICians supply approximate
    prices in London for Tascams? And where to get the
    best price? (Denmark Street?)
    
    Henrik 

    
    
    I don't think ther is such a thing as an aproximate price for a
    tascam 4 track. There are numerous different models. London is never
    a good place to buy anything. I always get better proces elsewher.
    Although Richard seems to have done well at Soundhouse.
    
    					Paul.

    Yup I'll second that -- there's no longer any need to go into London
    to pick up good prices. BTW -- the Soundhouse offers good prices
    when pushed, but they seemed like a real bunch of sharks to me.
    
    Richard.

    Thanks for the info, but let me just rephrase my
    question a little: Here in Norway, the Porta-One
    costs around �450, the next Porta-whatever costs
    around �800 (now that's what I call sharks...).
    How do prices in/around London compare with that?
    (I'm going to London in October).
    
    Henrik                                     

    Porta-05 and Fostex X-30 cost about 320 pounds.
                                           
    
    Richard.