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

[Paul Maddox]

JH,

> My Fostex R8 analogue 8-track is broken again. I guess I could repair it
for
> 100 or 200 Dollars, but should I?

good question, kinda OT though, but..

> 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?

the *GOOD* quality convertors will cost more, there's no doubt of that.
the converters I have sound stunning, but worth *EVERY* penny. When I first
heard I was gobsmacked, everything was suddely so clear. You havn't lived
until you've heard a track recorded and played back through 24bit convertors
at 192Khz!

> OTOH, I would also be interested in PC-based samplers with huge capacity,
> for grand piano, church organ, mellotron and the like.

sounds like you want the emulator X, which (IIRC) has an audio interface.

> 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.

Don't be so sure about not wanting virtual stuff, there are some great
sounding FX and synths out there.

> Under these circumstances, is it worth switching to PC-based recording?

its hard to say, I personally like using my mac as a multitrack recorder,
but then I do use plugins that came with it.

> 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?

whole new ball game.
If you're strapped for cash, I would say, repair the fostex, if you want to
'expand' a little  go with a DAW (don't forget the Mac stuff runs things
like Logic and ProTools).

> 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.

stick with the fostex then, but its a shame to limit yourself to only 8
tracks.
I'd rather have a system that allows me to grow as I want. I use ProTools
HD2, ok, thats overkill for you, but sometimes I only use 4 or 5 tracks,
other times, I've used 30+ its nice NOT to have a limit, when I need more.

> And how does the PC based sampler fit in here? Same software package?
> Different software package? How will the two work together?

usually as a plugin, a friend of mine has the meollotron plugin, and its
sounds just like a mellotron (aside from the horrible mechanical noises!).

> ... and I'm still not sure if repairing that reel-to-reel might be the
> better solution. (;->)

it *WILL* be cheaper.

> Convince me, give me suggestions - if it's too off-topic, in private mail.

if you only want 8 tracks, have no wish for more (ever) and money is an
issue, stick with the fostex. If you want to try and expand what you do and
the way you work, then go with a DAW.

Paul