Fostex 4-track sale

[metallisomething]

I found a Fostex X-26 4 track cassette recorder for sale. I was wondering if anyone knows about it, or a webiste with any info. Fostex's website has the manual, I know its an old piece lol. Is it worth buying?

I play guitar. I have an amp, and an amp mic. I also record on my computer with a usb interface sometimes, but i dont have a very good setup so I'm looking into going as simple as possible.

[lumpy]

metalisomething,
If it is similar to the old x14 model, it will be great for songwriting, capturing ideas, and demo work. I have used them for that purpose. Was that your plan also?

They are very simple to use and best of all, fast. About all you are going to have is trim, high and low and a fader. Download one of the free mixing programs on this site, buy a L/R male RCA to 1/8 male stereo (about $4 at Radio Shack) and plug it into your soundcard. Now you can rip to mp3 or WAV and burn a cd.

Don't forget to buy a mic. You want cheap, try a Nady SP9. Sometimes you can find a deal on Musician's Friend; mic, cable and stand for under $20.

Also don't forget to stock up on new tape.

Lump

[DT Chris]

Again, it has more to do with what you can afford.

Now that recording to the computer is available, I don't even use my Fostex XR-7.

The reason is, I can access any song idea, riff, etc within seconds using my computer - tape you have to search through 'sequentially' taking up time.

When recording to a 4 track, you're limited to 4 tracks. Sure, you can 'bounce down' but generation loss, and bleeding of tracks occurs quite a bit. On a computer you can bounce and bounce and bounce with no generation loss, and record as many tracks as you want - you're only limited by your system.

When you record to a 4track, you're recording to a cassette, which then you have to transfer somehow to the computer anyway if you want to save it as a wave file, mp3 or other format.

Without a computer, a 4-track or 8-track is perhaps the answer. But with a computer, your money may be better spent towards gearing that to record instead.

[metallisomething]

I see what you guys are saying. I do record via computer as is, and i understand the ease of locating songs and ideas. But I wanted to get away from the technology and focus ideas. It seemed that I'd be spending too much time fiddling with my computer setup before I could actually hit record, and by then, the adrenaline from that sweet new riff you just came up with, is gone.

I'm at a crossroads. the 4 track seems like a sweet way to just jam out ideas. But computers make quality without the cassettes. I have trouble with my external soundcard. Its an M-audio duo, and it gets easily interupted by other applications. I also have problems monitoring. I can't find a way to hear what im playing, only whats being played back (another track I already recorded). how can you listen to both at the same time?

also, what else could i do to upgrade my digital system instead of a cassette 4 track? PS. this 4 track is going for $130 canadian.(fostex x-26)