CB>   I'm almost sure I will invest in  Tascam 414 portastudio. It has 4 
tracks
I'd recommend the 424 if you can afford it.  It has a few nicer features
that you may come to miss if you get the 414.
  >buy it. There ARE cheaper ones, like the Porta 03 MKII and the Fostex x-14
Don't bother.  They're tremendously noisy and limited.
  >I ever decide I want to record friends. It has no XLR inputs, but I figure 
I
If you want to put down good-sounding stuff, you'll need XLRs.  Yes, you
can use those inline transformer/adaptors, but they also limit fidelity.
  >will survive. I won't be using this to churn out demos to send to industry
  >people. :)
Only *you* have to be happy.  But think about what will make you
happy...
CB>   Anybody know anything about the transport?
I believe that the transport is the same in most of their machines.
With the 414, it's all mechanical, while the 424 and above are digitally
controlled, which is more precise and less mechanical (less to break).
I own the 464, which is full of bells and whistles, as well as quite a
few more mixer inputs.  I got it used for the same price as the 424 new,
so I couldn't refuse.  Great machines... I've done a lot of tracks that
have wound up on the air.  No, it's not a 1/2" 8 track, but it'll do in
a pinch.
If you want to read about some considerations and have web access, check
out   http://www.op.net/~jeffv  for my further thoughts on what to buy.
Good luck.
 * SLMR 2.1a * Teach your kids english today!
--- Maximus 3.01
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