I use a Tascam 4 track Portastudio (424 mk III) all the time and it is really good as a scratch pad.
I write songs and as I have been moving around a lot for the past 15 years don’t have a band to call my own. Consequently, I want to be able to multi-track my self playing a whole bunch of different instruments, mix them together and see what it sounds like.
The Portastudio reaches its limits when you want to mix 4 tracks to 2 tracks and bounce them back to tracks 1 and 2 on the Portastudio enabling you to record and mix another 2 tracks. This can be done quite easily using a stereo VCR which has a better dynamic range than a tape recorder and is cheaper than a DAT (indecently I use really good cable & tape). The sound was OK, but sadly only OK and if you then wanted to mix to a master (another bounce) the sound quality was noticeably degenerating.
There is also the option of bouncing multiple tracks together freeing up space for more tracks. In theory you can get like 12 tracks out of a 4 track. This is not only destructive (i.e. the originals get recorded over) but is also a pain in the ass as you are stuck with the pre-mixed stuff which has to be mixed before you have listened to all of the final tracks, useful eh ! Also this approach limits (severally) the use of stereo guitar / drums all that good stuff!
Moral of the story is, if you want to do 8 track work, get an 8 track machine. People will bang on about how Sergeant Peppers was recorded on a four track and this may well be true. I however do not have (unfortunately) all of the other resources, like a professional orchestra, the best engineers money can by and all the time /money in the world to throw at my projects so……..
I am currently checking out computer recording as an alternative to a Korg D1600 which is very pricey (about $1600) but will do everything I want. When I have saved my pennies I’ll expand my horizons and have fun learning how to work these new technologies.
When all is said and done I will certainly keep the Portastudio after I get either the computer kit or the Korg as it is very good at what it dose and Id be heart broken if anything happened to it.
My
instructors page and
www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS