[sdiy] Should I repair my Fostex, or should I go HD recording?

[Michael Zacherl]

Hi Jürgen,

  long time no read! (ok, it's me being quiet ;-)

You're asking a pretty good question!
I myself got an R8 too and it's rather sitting around.
Didn't make up my mind what I'm going to do with it but probably clean it and sell it.
But how much money is one willing to pay for it?

Since I successfully switched to a PowerBook I'm facing spending serious money on a FireWire interface (but I was prepared for this). Currently I'm favouring MOTU products ... but that may change.

Regarding software:

You might consider Mackie's "Tracktion".
See http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion/ for details.

Quote from above URL:

"
If you like your software to use dozens of overlapping windows, Tracktion is not for you. It won't pretend to be a mixing desk or show you panels with pictures of screws that are accurately copied from a real piece of hardware. There is no Windows clutter, nor obscure menus full of commands that you'll never use. In short, Tracktion is a little bit different. It's a continuously evolving product with new features and updates regularly released. Most people who've used a sequencer before can get to grips with Tracktion in about 10 minutes, and once you've grasped a handful of basic concepts (which aren't exactly rocket-science), the learning curve practically disappears.

Here's an overview of what makes Tracktion so good: 	
			
    * Audio Playback and Recording features
    * Editing
    * Plug-in Support (VST & VSTi)
    * Butt-Kickin' Built-in Sampler
    * Rack Filters
    * ReWire 2.0 Support
    * Instant Help
    * Project Management features
    * Collaborative Working
"
The price seems to be ok-ish ($80,-).

If you're quick you can download a promo for _free_ from http://my.mackie.com/tracktionpromo.asp

HTH, 

   :-) Michael. 


JH. wrote:

> Hi.
> 
> My Fostex R8 analogue 8-track is broken again. I guess I could repair it for
> 100 or
> 200 Dollars, but should I?
> 
> I've been looking around for PCI cards that allow 8 track recording /
> playback, and
> I was surprised to find them quite expensive. And then I still need
> software?
> 
> OTOH, I would also be interested in PC-based samplers with huge capacity,
> for grand piano, church organ, mellotron and the like.
> 
> I'm _not_ interested in virtual synths or virtual FX on the PC - I would
> really
> just use the PC for recording and playback and editing of tracks, plus as
> a sampled grand piano etc. Mixdown will still  be hardware, with tube
> compressors,
> quantec reverb and all.
> 
> Under these circumstances, is it worth switching to PC-based recording?
> And if so, what PCI card would you recommend? (No need for Mic preamps
> or gain pots - 8 plain line inputs and 8 outputs will do.) And which
> software?
> Ease of use is important, and low price. No need for anything more than
> making a pre-mix of n HD tracks to 8 outputs.
> And how does the PC based sampler fit in here? Same software package?
> Different software package? How will the two work together?
> 
> I'm a complete newbie here, as you see ...
> ... and I'm still not sure if repairing that reel-to-reel might be the
> better solution. (;->)
> 
> Convince me, give me suggestions - if it's too off-topic, in private mail.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> JH.
> 
>