Should I trade my working 606 for a Fostex r8?

[Nightshade]

I know this question is not as dire as the name of this particular forum would suggest, but I came across this opportunity and was wondering if it is a good trade. I've read nothing but good reviews about the r8, but I wanted other people's advice.

Thanks in advance,
Night

[Psy_Free]

Do you want an analog drum machine or an 8 track reel-to-reel ?

If you want the R8 and it's in good working order, then swap.

[madtheory]

The R8 was always a budget machine. It goes "hissssssssssss". Far too much trouble IMO, I think it uses the smaller tape reels that are tricky to get. I would think a 606 is way more fun! If you want a useful analogue tape machine, a Revox B77 or PR99 would be far better, those have a great "sound" although like all tape decks parts are difficult now.

[Stab Frenzy]

Do you want an analog drum machine or an 8 track reel-to-reel ?

Pretty much covers all you need to know here.

edit: This thread was thrown right off topic by personal attacks. All off-topic posts have been removed and the offending member has been given a warning, let that be the end of it.

[madtheory]

Do you want an analog drum machine or an 8 track reel-to-reel ?

Pretty much covers all you need to know here.

That's not helpful at all IMO.

[killertofu]

I bought a Fostex R8 about 3 years ago and sold it a year later.
It wasn't much benefit for me, really more trouble than it was worth.
Plus, with such a small tape width it's not much different than a 4 track cassette machine.
The R8 has less noise since it runs at 15 IPS, a pro-sumer 4 track cassette at 3 3/4 IPS...
In fact to me the R8 sounded just as clean as digital which made me question why I got it in the first place!
I thought I could get some tape saturation effects going, but again with the small track width all I could get was some pretty nasty non musical distortion.

You might want to consider this - Fostex no longer has or sells any parts for their old R2R equipment, unlike Tascam who still supplies what they still have available (but probably not much..)

I guess the same could be said about the 606, but I imagine it has less moving parts and things that can go wrong.

Even if you can get past all the above, I would still suggest you not do the trade.
A quick search on eBay shows all the R8's sell on average for $100-$150, while the 606 sell for about $400-$600.

[Stab Frenzy]

Do you want an analog drum machine or an 8 track reel-to-reel ?

Pretty much covers all you need to know here.

That's not helpful at all IMO.

A drum machine makes percussive sounds whereas a tape machine is used to record things. The two are completely incomparable and which one would be better for somebody is a completely subjective depending on a wide number of things such as studio setup, favoured methods of working, what other equipment they have etc.

If the topic was "I want a reel-to-reel machine, should I get an R8 or something else?" then that question could be answered, but the OP asked if he should trade his 606 for an R8. Around here they both go for the same amount of money on the open market so there is no big financial reason to go in one particular direction or the other, so the choice boils down to whether or not the person making the decision would prefer an analogue drum machine or an 8 track reel-to-reel.

You are of the opinion that the 606 would be more fun than the tape machine, for reasons which you outlined. You however are most likely not in the same position as the OP and so your opinion is most likely different.

[madtheory]

Reading the first post it appears that the OP is aware of that and just wants to share opinions.

You are of the opinion that the 606 would be more fun than the tape machine, for reasons which you outlined. You however are most likely not in the same position as the OP and so your opinion is most likely different.

That is self evident so does not need to be stated.

[sam]

I am quite sure he knows the subtle difference between a drum machine and a tape recorder.

The question has been answered here...The 606 is worth more and is all the bother of a tape machine worth while for the results obtained.

[madtheory]

The 606 is worth more

This is the most important point- actually he could probably sell/trade it for a Studer A80 plus refurb, if he had the space.

[tallowwaters]

The R8 is a shitty, low budget piece of s**t. I've never used or even seen a 606, but I wouldn't trade.