Should I buy an analog tape machine? If so, which one?

[joel hamilton]

Terminology check:

Tape machines do not exhibit "latency" in any mode.

The physical distance between the record head and the repro head gives you a playback delay depending on the tape speed.

I think whoever suggested the 2 track machine has the best proactive advice.

Also: listen to Djimbe about the scully... I used scully 280's years ago also. I used a MONO 1/4" machine, and you dont want one of those. Really.
You can get that sound from an older MCI with xformers in it, like a JH10 16/2.

[skywavebe]

You are right Latency has to do with hard drives.
Tape decks are really very robust machines. Much better than any other medium. I have seen CDRW and Dat machines cause real trouble as well as the computer system used at almost all radio station. The Automation system at stations also need good programming but that is usually where all the errors come from. It causes the silence sensors to go off regularly.
2 track macjhines do a great job and I must have 8 of them here. I could not pass up the last purchase which was here for repair. It was the top of the line Tascam 62. $250. 30-31KHz +/- 1 dB at 0 Vu.

[Danly]

tape machine outs -> converters in, record enable tracks (without actually recording digitally), mix in the box. you are recording to tape and using your computer as a digital mixer. (not sure if this works in LE because no input monitoring)?