4 track/ 8 track recorders

[Yooyung]

Hello all,

I am interested in buying either a 4 or 8 track recording device. I am talking about what is called a 'portastudio' I think.... Tascam make them and i had a 4 track tape version years and years ago. Does anyone know where to buy these kinds of things here in Thailand? I have looked around a bit in my local area (Zeer Rangsit didnt seem to have any) Or does anyone have one to sell?

Cheers

[KittenKong]

Why would you want one of these when you can do the same job better with any decent laptop or desktop computer, and some suitable software?

[Crossy]

Not something I've seen here, I'm assuming you checked the audio area at the back of Zeer ground floor (near NPE).

Some nice digital gear http://tascam.com/products/mtr_digital_portastudio/ or here http://tascam.com/products/pc_audio_interface/ if you want to use with a PC.

Get the iPad app for $2.99

[billd766]

I can remember 8 track stuff from the late 1960s to the early early 1970s but nothing you could actually do something with.

Something like these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/8-track-player

[IMHO]

Why would you want one of these when you can do the same job better with any decent laptop or desktop computer, and some suitable software?

Yep, ideally with something a little better than the OEM sound card though, e.g. http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2

[Crossy]

Amazingly some people still like the physical feel of a slider/knob under their fingers, gives them more 'feel'.

Many if not all pro studios still have the physical controls, all hooked to a digital system of course.

EDIT Prices are not stupid either just over a grand US for the top of the range DP32 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tascam-DP32-Digital-Portastudio-/181256502438?pt=UK_Recorders_Rewriters&hash=item2a33babca6

[Yooyung]

Yes, I know that I can use software on my computer....but theres just something about it. I would prefer to have a machine that I can specifically use just for recording demo tracks of my songs.....you may think it strange. I had a 4 track way back in the early 1990's, tape of course and I loved it. I dont really want to fill up my laptop more with stuff....but I do understand other point of view.

[Pinot]

I still have a Tascam 8 track recorder. They're inexpensive. Check the Musicians Friend website. I don't know how you get one here. Figure that out for yourself.

Here's the thing about using an iOS app, recording individual instrumental tracks is easy. It's getting vocals on the recording that is the tough part. It's easy on the Tascam. Plug any mic into it.

I suggest using something like GarageBand with the the 8 Track. Do some studying up.

8 Track recorders are cheap and much easier to use than computers for recording http://www.musiciansfriend.com/multitrack-recorders/tascam-dp-008ex-digital-8-track-pocketstudio

I use both with the 8 track as home base

[KittenKong]

Yes, I know that I can use software on my computer....but theres just something about it. I would prefer to have a machine that I can specifically use just for recording demo tracks of my songs.....you may think it strange. I had a 4 track way back in the early 1990's, tape of course and I loved it. I dont really want to fill up my laptop more with stuff....but I do understand other point of view.

Doesn't the tape hiss drive you mad? It does for me. The world's single greatest invention was digital sound recording and I was overjoyed to throw away all my analogue stuff (after I had ripped the rarities in my vinyl LP collection to FLAC).

Audio editing software and audio files are in fact quite small and wont take up much space on a hard drive, but of course it is up to you.

[Crossy]

Doesn't the tape hiss drive you mad? It does for me.

Tape hiss, what tape hiss?

http://tascam.com/products/mtr_digital_portastudio/

No tape, no hiss.

[draftvader]

I understand exactly what you're on about as I trained on a 12 channel 8 track Tascam amongst other beasts. Decent quality FE90s running one direction for a grand total of 22.5 minutes recording time. Curiously enough I recorded my Mum's 2nd wedding on one of those units and it did a sterling job. Mastered onto DAT then (and this was 1992) burned onto CD.

To answer your question there is one place I would give a try. On Atsadang Road (Bunsiri) there are lots of cheap guitar, police and army surplus shops. Keep going down with the Klong on your right and you'll come to shops selling lighting and sound engineering equipment and PAs. I don't know for sure but I'll guess that they probably will know somebody if they can't source for you.

What about media though?

---EDIT---

Too many channels! Remembering back a quarter of a century to a piece of kit.....
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/mar95/tascam488mk2.html

Remembering now that you could run 12 channels but you had to pair 9+10, 11+12 on the master. For the wedding that was fine.

[Yooyung]

Thanks for the replies. Draftvader, I will check that out, cheers mate.

[Yooyung]

Thanks all for the replies. I will check that out Draftvadar, cheers

[KittenKong]

Doesn't the tape hiss drive you mad? It does for me.

Tape hiss, what tape hiss?

http://tascam.com/products/mtr_digital_portastudio/

No tape, no hiss.

The OP and others appear to be talking about old tape recorders.

[IMHO]

Doesn't the tape hiss drive you mad? It does for me.

Tape hiss, what tape hiss?

http://tascam.com/products/mtr_digital_portastudio/

No tape, no hiss.

The OP and others appear to be talking about old tape recorders.

I'll admit I was also confused - but what the OP is asking about is the Tascam Portastudio's - which were analogue, but are now digital recorders.

@OP: ProPlugin.com are the only local Thai vendor I can see that are listing the Portastudios, but they have a note on them saying "Ask about stock availability" - which means they're probably not a regular stock item... The prices listed aren't very tempting either.

There are however plenty of Ebay sources, and the 8-track version should only cost you about USD $250 including shipping and import duties (half the price of ProPlugin).

[Yooyung]

No, not really talking about tape recorders. As others have stated TASCAM now make digital versions. Looks like they may be a little hard to come by over here though. I may have to go the ebay route.

[draftvader]

Yep, I have to admit that I thought you were nostalgic and enthusiastic

The modern digital solutions look good. You do know, however, that you can get responsive mixers that work with software but still give you the hands-on solution?

[GinBoy2]

Have to say I was confused by the title. I got all nostalgic, back to disco, big collars and platform shoes...Oh Well