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mateopero
Published on 08/15/08 at 16:46
This unit was offered to me in January '98. It cost about $600 back then.
Up to then, I did two-track DIY recordings with two tape recorders (the first playing back the rhythm section next to the mic of the second while I recorded vocals and lead guitar...). In other words, this 4-track changed my life!! I tested the unavoidable Tascam (which sold a little cheaper at the time), but I really cut my multi-track chops with this unit.
I also used it as a mixer (especially for headphone monitoring).
On the rear, the connections are on 1/4" jacks and RCA exclusively. Jacks for the inputs and aux sends, RCA for the stereo and monitor outputs, as well as the separate outputs for each track (tracks 3 and 4 don't work on mine). You only need to press the power switch and it works.
Regarding the mixing section, the tracks are pretty traditional: gain, 3-band EQ, aux, track assign buttons, a PAN knob (equally indispensable to assign tracks when recording), a small mic/line switch and a fader.
Be careful when assigning tracks, a concept that isn't too clear when you are starting out: A bad assignation can mean hissing and a lousy sound.
The Master section features, besides a fader, obviously, a small Cue section (that I've never really mastered), which allows you to fine tune the output levels of each track without touching the faders, and an Aux return section.
For me, this unit is best for recording: The electric buttons make it really comfortable to use, they are placed in a logical space (you can see them clearly), the locators are precise and very handy, you can choose between two recording speeds, and a "dbx" function attenuates noise (I have never been able to work without activating it).
The screen is bright, not too big but it displays the essential info: Activated tracks or not, locator or not, input level per track and master output level.
Using it however requires some dexterity: You need to give it some gain to have a good sound with a mic, and you should set it between 0 and 1 so that the line input doesn't distort. A good input level avoids having to drive noisy preamps a lot, and it's indispensable to make a good ping-pong (the famous way to reduce a 7-track song to 4 tracks).
This device has a nice design, even if it's a bit big. It's a comprehensive 4-track recorder with a solid construction and rather comprehensive connections.
However, you won't get a good sound just like that. It's a machine you need to tame, which has helped me quickly feel comfortable in a digital home studio but also doing live sound for small gigs.
This recorder sounds fine and, if you put yourself to it, you can get a nice analog sound out of it.
If you are a digital guy but want a different (and educational) approach to recording, go for it! Right now, I'm in no hurry to sell mine...
I love this unit, but I won't give it 10/10 because the sound quality will never be the same as that of a CD.
Up to then, I did two-track DIY recordings with two tape recorders (the first playing back the rhythm section next to the mic of the second while I recorded vocals and lead guitar...). In other words, this 4-track changed my life!! I tested the unavoidable Tascam (which sold a little cheaper at the time), but I really cut my multi-track chops with this unit.
I also used it as a mixer (especially for headphone monitoring).
On the rear, the connections are on 1/4" jacks and RCA exclusively. Jacks for the inputs and aux sends, RCA for the stereo and monitor outputs, as well as the separate outputs for each track (tracks 3 and 4 don't work on mine). You only need to press the power switch and it works.
Regarding the mixing section, the tracks are pretty traditional: gain, 3-band EQ, aux, track assign buttons, a PAN knob (equally indispensable to assign tracks when recording), a small mic/line switch and a fader.
Be careful when assigning tracks, a concept that isn't too clear when you are starting out: A bad assignation can mean hissing and a lousy sound.
The Master section features, besides a fader, obviously, a small Cue section (that I've never really mastered), which allows you to fine tune the output levels of each track without touching the faders, and an Aux return section.
For me, this unit is best for recording: The electric buttons make it really comfortable to use, they are placed in a logical space (you can see them clearly), the locators are precise and very handy, you can choose between two recording speeds, and a "dbx" function attenuates noise (I have never been able to work without activating it).
The screen is bright, not too big but it displays the essential info: Activated tracks or not, locator or not, input level per track and master output level.
Using it however requires some dexterity: You need to give it some gain to have a good sound with a mic, and you should set it between 0 and 1 so that the line input doesn't distort. A good input level avoids having to drive noisy preamps a lot, and it's indispensable to make a good ping-pong (the famous way to reduce a 7-track song to 4 tracks).
This device has a nice design, even if it's a bit big. It's a comprehensive 4-track recorder with a solid construction and rather comprehensive connections.
However, you won't get a good sound just like that. It's a machine you need to tame, which has helped me quickly feel comfortable in a digital home studio but also doing live sound for small gigs.
This recorder sounds fine and, if you put yourself to it, you can get a nice analog sound out of it.
If you are a digital guy but want a different (and educational) approach to recording, go for it! Right now, I'm in no hurry to sell mine...
I love this unit, but I won't give it 10/10 because the sound quality will never be the same as that of a CD.