You left out the next biggest detail.

What's your budget? :wink:

analog tape machine

that's the bugger...ideally a couple thousand...i know, i know. what do you think i can get for that? if something came along that was more but was a good investment i'd think about it...

Couple of thousand £s?

I think if you go on Ebay you might find a nice machine for a few thousand. A semi-pro 1/2 8-trk would probably go for about $500. If you can find a 1 -inch 16 track it would probably be reasonable.

There is a Tascam TSR-8 multi-track recorder there right noiw bid up to $30...

There is a Tascam 48 analog 8-track reel tape machine recorder at $749 (this is a top of the line 1/2-inch model)

a 1/2-inch Fostex 16-trk has 9 bids abd is up to $500

If you want to go to 2-inch pro then the price goes up.

What is your reason for wanting to go with analog?

You may want to be on the lookout for an Otari MX70. It is a 1" 16 track. They are pretty decent machines. You should be able to find one in good shape around $2-3000 USD.

How far are you from Whitley Bay? There's a [[url=http://[/URL]="http://cgi.ebay.co…"]Tascam MS16[/]="http://cgi.ebay.co…"]Tascam MS16[/] there that someone's trying to flog on iiiiiiieeeeebay. :D

I'm all down with the analog format. However, are you up to the task of maintenance? Even if you don't drive this machine into the ground, it's going to take lots of puttering, adjusting replacing parts, etc... just to keep a strong pulse going.

Of course, you don't have to troubleshoot DLL and registry conflicts :)

I have a Fostex G16 1/2 , and it's pretty good. Maybe a tip for you.