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[Tomservo]

I was looking to buy a digital 8-track recorder, and I know nothing about them.  Does anyone know, which ones are better or where I can get reliable information on them?

[Mark7]

How many instruments are you hoping to record at a time?

[trashmatic]

Do you own a laptop?  Even if you don't yet, a used laptop and an external audio interface might end up costing about the same and be much more flexible.  You'd lose the immediacy of working with knobs and sliders, but gain a much larger screen and more recording space.

Not to mention software effects and mastering tools.

[Tomservo]

Probably around 3 instruments recorded at a time, and I think I want to stick with the knobs and sliders.

[Mark7]

If you want to record more than two tracks at once all the digital 8 track portastudios on the market today are pretty useless.

You might want to look at a discontinued model like the Tascam 788, which does offer more than two mic inputs.   Assuming you'll be using mics, that is.

[Mark7]

Sorry, I should have asked a few more questions before I jumped in with any kind of recommendation.

So...

What kind of material do you think you'll be recording?

Do you need portability or are you happy to have the system sitting in one room?

What's your budget?

[Tomservo]

I want it to be portable and I want to spend around $450. I think I'll be recording guitar, bass, vocals, my keyboard, maybe a drum machine, and maybe a piano.

[Mark7]

In that case the 788 is probably your best bet.