pjd@cwruecmp.UUCP (Dr. Funk) (04/04/84)
Lest anyone get the wrong impression, the Fostex X-15 may be inexpensive, but it's still useful. Granted, it doesn't have the versatility or overall sound quality of the larger and more expensive 4 track. However, it compares favorably with midi-priced stereo cassette decks. The low SN ratio means you have to watch recording levels closely. Unless you intend to record four channels simultaneously, the X-15 is a good buy at $450-500. I use it to try out some multitrack ideas from time to time and it hasn't failed me yet. The punch-in/out is a little baroque (it resembles a photographer's shutter bulb) but I can get in and out cleanly. If you can afford the extra $600-700 for the larger Fostex machine, I would go for it. But if you want to put the extra $600 into effects, keyboards or whatever, the X-15 is an excellent budget stretcher. The X-15 is also portable (it eats C batteries as well as AC through an adapter) and might be a nice complement to a portable video rig. Now, a friend of mine has the Fostex 8-track reel-to-reel, but that's his story ...... paul drongowski decvax!cwruecmp!pjd case western reserve university pjd.Case@Rand-Relay