I just read a post, "Direct record to tape recorder" and all the replies. From what I read from the posts of Bob Hendershot and technicsplayer, I am unsure as to the direction I want to go in regards to buying outboard equipment. I am not only a keyboard player but also a vocalist. My intentions have been to get a Roland VS880 or perhaps a new model if now available so I could multi-track using voice and laying harmony voices down track by track. Bob speaks of a mistake buying the VS880 but maybe it is because he is not a vocalist. Correct me on that, Bob, if I am wrong.

Several years ago, I had a KN1000 that I did all original arrangements on for adding vocals. When I finished an arrangement, I went left and right out of the keyboard into a Teac 3440 multi-track (4 tracks) analog recorder. I recorded this dry (no reverb) into the tape deck. Also, I had a dbx noise eliminator for the recorder which completely removed any tape hiss. I put left out into Channel 1 and right out into Channel 4, leaving Channel 2 and 3 free for vocals. I recorded the vocals flat and no reverb. When this was completed, I played this through one of the best Lexicon reverb units and a very good compressor/limiter that went into a Mackie mixer. When I got the mix I wanted, I recorded from the Mackie to a Tascam dat recorder, making a master tape for a CDR. I put out a beautiful high quality-sounding album that I have to say, is right up there with the big guys in professional sound.

I have been planning on another CD release and was planning on buying a multi-track recorder such as the Roland VS880, recording pretty much the same way but digitally instead of using the old workhorse Teac 3440. You guys have thrown a scare into me in leaning in this direction. I am also planning on buying a top of the line computer - 2.2GHz with 120GB hard drive, a state of the art sound card, a DVD ROM drive and a separate CDRW. I was advised not to buy a DVD-CDRW for they are too new and have design problems and to wait awhile. At the moment, I am really confused with all the technology that is now available.

My end result is - I want to burn my own CDs for release. I realize most of you play only and are not vocalists. For years, I was a professional jazz pianist/singer in clubs in New York and my voice was a major part of my performance. With the good equipment I own, (other than the now outdated Teac 3440) I would appreciate your knowledgeable thoughts on what I should do. I am a real perfectionist when recording and I need multi-track editing capabilities, especially for vocals.