2 4-track cassette recorders linked together - possible?

[mellotron]

I want to get some recording device for my birthday, but don't want my sisters to spend too much money. I'm don't really care as long as it sounds passable for a demo.

Would there be some way for me to hook up two 4-tracks ($160) instead of one 8-track digital recorder ($260), or would you think the difference in audio quality from cassette to CD-quality not be worth it?

 

[hueseph]

You can pick up an entry level interface for about $160. They usually come with some lite version of either Ableton Live or Cubase LE. I would look for something with Cubase LE. More functional.

Recording to cassette you will notice a lot of hiss. And once you're done, you still have to figure out a way to get it to either another cassette recorder (more hiss) then to cd or to your computer then to cd. In which case you need to get an interface if you want to maintain any sort of integrity from your already noisy recording.

 

[bent]

I'm unaware of any 4 track cassette recorders that sync together.
I've used both Fostex and Tascams and those don't do it.
You're better off going digital.
The hiss incurred from one mixdown of a 4 track is nasty and just gets worse the more bounces you do.

Oops> Hueseph beat me to the punch!

 

[RemyRAD]

For low-cost entry level recording, you might just want a few inexpensive USB audio devices? Many are frequently inexpensive with 2 microphone inputs at under $150 US. Generally they only offer 2 inputs. But with multiple units plugged into multiple USB ports, you can begin recording in multitrack without a major investment. Most of these devices are USB 1.1 and so, you may be able to purchase a USB 2.0 hub and plug multiple units into a USB 2.0 input hub that features far greater bandwidth than USB 1.1.

I have frequently run an EDIROL UA1ex and a M-Audio Transit, simultaneously, for 4 simultaneous input record channels, to Adobe/Audition, Sony/Vegas. These devices do not have XLR microphone preamps. But rather, they are quality line input devices that I can feed from my outboard API and/or Neve preamps or even from an inexpensive mixer, such as a Allen & Heath, Mackie and others that don't already have built-in analog-to-digital converters. A nice way to smorgasbord/buffet your equipment selection.

I'd like some extra microphone for dessert please?
Ms. Remy Ann David