Conference napalm::commusic_v1

>	o  Single (standard) cassette tape speed (not so good, I know)

  Tascam 234 is double speed ONLY.

>	o  Built-in Dolby B/C, switchable and defeatable (Tascam doesn't have
>	   any noise reduction, right?)

  234 has switchable dbx.

>	o  Digital tape counter (not sure about locator functions)

  So does the 234. You can set a second memory location, which allows you to
  repeat a section or just return to zero when you get to that location.

  I got mine used for $350, but most of the used ones I've seen have been
  in the 450-500 range.

Tom

Thanks for the information on the Tascam 234, Tom.  I'd really like to buy
Tascam, but the extra cost of the outboard noise reduction really shoots the
startup costs into the ceiling...at least when compared to the AMR unit.

What I was hoping to hear (read) were any comments to the effect of "don't
touch AMR with a 10-foot pole...", or something equally nasty about the AMR
deck.

For all that it offers, the AMR deck sure looks like a good way to get into
multitracking in an inexpensive way.  However, I have *no* experience with
AMR (either the deck or the company), and I was hoping someone could toss out
an opinion or two.

	...jay

    AMR is out of Mississippi, right?  So it is made by Peavey, right?
    Right.
    
    So everything (good and/or bad) that applies to Peavey will apply
    to AMR.
    
    Ashley

re 0.2

>> but the extra cost of the outboard noise reduction really shoots the
>> startup costs into the ceiling...at least when compared to the AMR unit.

The Tascam 234 DOES have onboard dbx noise reduction, so there is no
need for an outboard unit.

Enjoy,
Dave

Hmmm, I had to go back and read my response to make sure I said it right. Yes,
the 234 has dbx.

If you don't already, you should know that it doesn't have the built-in mixing
capabilities that many other 4-tracks (like its big brother, the 246) have,
though.

Tom

I have to apologize to Tom about missing the comment about onboard dbx.  I
was zipping thru the notes file a bit toooo quickly...

AMR made by Peavey, huh?  I had no idea.  The guys at Daddy's in Nashua told
me AMR performs very well (at the single, low speed) due to "specially
designed" heads.  That seemed very odd to me.

	...jay

    I'm shopping around for a four track too, and from what I'm
    told, you may want to consider FOSTEX.  The recorder I'm thinking
    about is the FOSTEX 160 - ~$650.  A salesman from Daddy's
    said the FOSTEX (the unit I looked at in Boston must have been
    positioned just under the FOSTEX 160 - it was about $475) was 
    better than the porta-one studio.  The guy here in Atlanta said the
    160 was better than both - even without noise reduction!  So, in
    addition to the Tascam and AMR, you may want to consider FOSTEX.
    
    Chris

Re: .7 

The Fostex 160?  I haven't heard of it (I think).  I am familiar (or so I
thought) with their 8 & 2 track machines, as well as their "portastudio"
versions, but the model number 160 doesn't jump out at me.

Any other information on it?

	...jay

    Don't have a *lot* of data on the 160 (memory fails me), but I know
    it's permanant double speed and has a 4 chan built in mixer.  I
    don't remember about noise reduction, but I'm pretty sure it has
    something (think it's Dolby).  Haven't tried one out, but it looks
    like a relative nice unit.
    
    Greg

    
    Fostex 160:
    
    Double speed (3-3/4)
    
    Four channel mixer
    
    Two band fixed EQ on each channel
    
    Dolby C, defeatable on one track for MIDI sync
    
    About $600 new