r8, tsr-8 other 8track?

[Auxillary]

What are your guys experiences with various 1/2" 8tracks? Options for 1" 8-tracks?

[jca83]

otari mx5050! totally indie rock. i have one.. i haven't um, made a patchbay for it yet so it's sitting unused. soon, though. veeery soon...

[JASIII]

I'll second the MX5050, I've got two. they are built like tanks, and the John Spencer Blues Explosion "Orange" was recorded on one!

[joeysimms]

I use a Tascam 48. It's sturdy, has balanced xlr ins /outs, and it sounds great.

[penelec]

Buy what's cheap.

OK, so SY did Daydream Nation on the TSR-8 and Jon Spencer did Orange on the Otari, but ultimately I think it's about what the market is hyping. The Otari is sturdier (especially hub-wise) and the TSR is more user-serviceable IMO. I think they output roughly the same. But money's is money, and even $80 will get you mics at Musician's Friend. So.

[Auxillary]

interesting.

Other suggestions?

[burn]

yeah it's sure that the otari is great... but got the one you can afford, IMHO even a fostex R8 (i own one) can do the job pretty well, remember that the most important is the sound sources, a good drum, good amps, good players, and a creative good ear ! I've heard awesome albums made on fostex 16trk 1/2" ...

[lonesome_tone]

i know this was an old post but daydream nation was definitely NOT recorded on a tsr! perhaps you're referring to the goo demos which was done on something similiar.

daydream nation and goo were both done at greene street- using a 2" studer. the only difference was goo was a neve console, and daydream was a trident a-range. guess the major label switch afforded more overdub time though. who knows until the deluxe edition with outtakes surfaces.

[bobbydj]

RE the R8 - as this is a 1/4" format it'd seem that it doesn't have much going for it. However, one thing in its favour is its portability - which may or may not be a consideration. Nevertheless, it's a fraction of the weight of any of the Tascam 1/2" multi-trackers.

[Paul Fury 161]

hi all.Just to quickly chime in, there's been a lot of talk lately in defence/against 1/4" 8 tracks and 1/2" 16 tracks, i'd say one of these machines is a good way toget started with tape - they're cheap to buy and run, give you some tape flavour without commiting all your funds.If you wanna make moreserious stuff and you're committed to it already go 1/2" 8track -i'd get a MX5050 or a Tascam 48, both great.Saying that, my Fostex Model 80 (precursor to R*) and E-16 (1/2" 16 track) a great,in a track bleeding mushy kinda way ;-p i do love them both.

Hope this helps

Take it easy, cyallz,
Paul