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Re: newbie, recording equipment question

Subject: Re: newbie, recording equipment question
From: Walter Knapp <>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 11:54:25 -0500
From: "klr_a4" <>
>
> Portable DATs start around $700 price range.
> How much $$ can you budget for the tape deck?
> I have not shopped for a cassette deck in a long time,I used to use
> the Sony TC-d5M but have gone with DAT for 11 years now.
> I have a Sony D10 pro dat I'm looking to sell , but the NIcad
> batteries won't hold a charge anymore, so you'll have to find a way
> to power it out in the field.


You can get DATs even cheaper off ebay. But, before switching to DAT,
another linear magnetic tape format, realize that many of the problems
of using magnetic tape are, if anything magnified using DAT over
cassette. A dropout on a digital recording is much more damaging than on
analog. And the drum recording system is quite sensitive to humidity, is
high wear compared to other current choices.

On top of that DAT is a format that's definitely on it's last legs. If
you are buying for more than a year or two's use, pay attention to that.

For a inexpensive recorder, it's hard to beat a MD. The sound is much
higher quality than cassette. MD is available in inexpensive consumer
models that do quite well, and all the way up to pro models like the HHb
Portadisc, which is a excellent field recorder.

Walt




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